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Destination Inspiration
March 2009
Oh You Beautiful
Doll
By Lisbeth
Anne Marín
Motivational
Speaker
Professional
Development Consultant
When baby
boomers were growing up, girls played dolls and boys played guns.
That’s just the way it was. Gender stereotypes were carved in stone;
boys would be boys …girls were sugar and spice and other ridiculous
notions.
I remember
intricate doll role-play back in the Donna Reed era. Elaborate doll
outfits brought life to a girl’s future fantasy. Ever think about what
kind of doll you’ve become? You’ll find me in the role of YMCA Doll; I
come with the Cool at the Pool Swimsuit Ensemble: strappy
sandals, organza cover-up & sunglasses tucked in a sassy tote. In
fact, I wear my bathing suit
(noun) pronounced [babe-in-suit],
under my street clothes like a
superhero-action doll, poised to transform from my alter ego of
motivational speaker.
I don’t know
about the rest of you, but my feet didn’t come permanently posed for
high-heels. Therefore, I present the argument that striving to be a
doll is a trap into which many females fell. Especially if they weren’t
particularly cute or had a temperament less than doll like? Now, I’m
not going to rake poor Barbie over the coals but I don’t recall meeting
her brilliant, chubby cousin Susie-Q or Princess, her spunky,
flat-chested galpal. All residents of doll world were perfectly coifed,
well endowed and absolutely contented to sport a sweet, vacant,
doll-faced expression. Convertible car: check. Dream house: check and
of course, white go-go boots. We certainly couldn’t get through a day
without those puppies.
But onward to
life in this millennium and women have arrived at the inner sanctum of
everywhere and everything. We’re shouldering responsibilities that once
sat squarely on men.
Reality challenges
us to be savvy in this high-speed, technological world. Wouldn’t you
agree, it’s nearly impossible to succeed in an exciting career and keep
up archaic expectations to cook meals, clean house, raise children, look
great, always stay sweet and just be a doll? It sounds preposterous
when you say it out loud!
I support my
point of view via the exaggerated scrutiny given to Sarah Palin’s
appearance. Whether or not she was my candidate isn’t at issue. I felt
genuinely irritated at how she was vilified and held to the standard of
being a doll. Her clothing and hairstyles were on the tip of every
tongue…but I don’t recall hearing who designed the men’s ‘outfits’. The
time has come to throw down our tiaras, kick off those stilettos and
rock a bad hair day when running for the second highest office in the
land. And what about Jessica Simpson; because of some cupie doll
standard she’s fallen from grace on world news tonight… give me a break!
Ladies, lets
keep working on those boundaries between being a doll and stepping into
the exciting world that rises at our feet. It’s a different day in
America and we are about to enter a time in history when women can
forever shed the doll stigma.
I respect the
choices made by those women who dreamt only of wearing the bridal
gown ensemble, but keep in mind that one size does not fit all.
Whether your thing is fancy hats, tattoos, pearls, piercings, or Sunday
gloves… consider abandoning the absurd standard that real women should
ever try to be anything like a doll.
Lisbeth Anne
Marín is a Motivational Speaker & Professional Development Consultant
specializing in interpersonal, team building and organizational
development skills. She presents a wide array of staff development
training programs, motivational seminars and interactive workshops.
www.lisbethanne.com |
