Published: March 06, 2009 10:33 am      

Will Barbie get the boot in W.Va.?

What does West Virginia Delegate Jeff Eldridge, D-Lincoln, and the country of Iran have in common? Both want to ban Barbie and friends from store shelves.

In April 2008, Iran’s Prosecutor General, Ghorban Ali Vori Najafabadi, said children who played with Barbie would develop negative social consequences. On Tuesday, West Virginia’s Eldridge proposed House Bill 2918, law that would ban the fashion doll in the state of West Virginia. The lawmaker claims the doll promotes physical beauty, not intellect and emotional development.

As a young woman — with a truckload of Barbies in the attic — I cannot imagine proposing a bill to ban a toy. A child’s hobby or pastime should not be ruled by any form of government — in any state or country. The decision is up for debate between parents, not delegates. The proposed bill is giving Barbie far too much credit for altering a child’s attitude and thought-process about physical beauty. What about television shows? Magazines? Cartoons? Video games? Don’t these type of media outlets share the blame? And why aren’t toys aimed at males included in this bill? G. I. Joe has muscles, which could influence young boys. No one has ever tried to ban G. I. Joe from the store shelves. Then there is that little matter about intelligence. As a former Barbie fan, my intelligence did not suffer, nor did my emotional development.

I admit Barbie is made out of plastic, has a perfect figure with no zits, cellulite or imperfections. And it’s impossible for any woman to copy Barbie’s physical features. Parents and children must remember Barbie is a toy — a harmless part of imagination. But what did Barbie ever do to West Virginia to deserve such harsh treatment, especially on the week of her 50th birthday? Even if the bill fails, Eldridge believes his proposal will send a message to retailers. I agree Eldridge’s bill will send a message — but not the kind that West Virginia needs during tough economic times. Who has time to worry about Barbie and her next fashion statement? The state needs to concentrate on the stimulus package, the economy and the recession. And don’t forget about the issues concerning jobs, energy and the West Virginia turnpike. Southern West Virginia’s buildings are crumbling all over town, yet Barbie is front and center thanks to House Bill 2918.

Needless to say, I can’t help but wonder about Eldridge’s priorities as a delegate. The delegate is also a sponsor of another bill to help bring mixed martial arts to West Virginia. Known to the public as “Ultimate Fighting,” it is currently banned in the Mountain State. Eldridge wants to make the sport legal, with tournaments. Between Ultimate Fighting and the Barbie war, the state is making waves on network television shows and media websites.

Do we really need to give the country another reason to point the finger at our state? In 1998, the famous road kill bill made its way through the Legislature allowing motorists to lawfully possess road kill as long as law enforcement agencies are notified within 12 hours. For weeks — maybe even longer — the state became the laughing stock of the nation, taking a prime slot in late night comedic routines on television. In 1998, the hillbilly stereotype haunted residents, causing a majority of us to shake our heads in wonder. And now, a new stereotype — Barbie bashers.

I am definitely shaking my head in wonder. This is not a time for Barbie battles — it is a time for West Virginia lawmakers to stand up for West Virginia. Find a way to solve the turnpike woes, the economic problems and divide the stimulus package equally between counties.

Leave Barbie — her plastic mansion, hot pink car, high heels and dresses — in the arms of a child, not a lawmaker.

Jamie Parsell is the Lifestyle editor of the Daily Telegraph. Contact her at jparsell@bdtonline.com.