What About Ken?

I know where I stand on the Barbie debate: I loved her then, and I love her now. Come to think of it, I have a Barbie Pocahontas on my dresser to this day! It was given to me as a joke from my sister one Christmas, but she’s still there standing tall!

My question today is, how did Ken affect the picture? He was a tall handsome man, perfect smile, perfect pecs and quads. He looked charming, and seemed to be so likable. But how did he treat Barbie? Was he nice to her?

I want to know where little girls learn that it’s ok to be hit by a boy. In the opening scenes of “He’s Just Not That Into You”, a mother tells a daughter that the boy is being mean to her because he really likes her. Do we learn so young that boy’s are just naturally mean and we’re supposed to accept this fact?

I don’t remember watching cartoons where the boys beat up the girls. I watched HeMan and SheRa, where the two were equals, from what I can remember. And Dick VanDyke was so lovable! But, the older I get the more I realize how many woman are, or have been in abusive relationships.

I cannot stand this! I hate this! Where did we learn that this behavior is ok?

I’ve never witnessed a man physically abusing a woman in real life, yet I found myself in an abusive relationship while away at college. My friend just confessed her boyfriend is less than perfect, and while at the gym yesterday, I overheard a woman telling a story about how her friend’s cop husband hit her so bad she needed 8 stitches! Chris Brown and Rihanna’s twisted affair recently made headlines, as well. It makes me really sad.

We ALL know this behavior is wrong. We know it shouldn’t happen. We know we shouldn’t tolerate it. Yet, it happens EVERY DAY! To more and more women!

I don’t blame the cartoons I watched growing up, but how do so many beautiful, intelligent women get caught in the mix of such a disaster?