#715 solidarity

Sounds like a perfect partnership: an organization for young women and a product targeted toward girls team up together.  In reality, these two groups are the Girl Scouts and Barbie -- and not everyone thought it was a match made in heaven.

Two consumer advocacy groups are lobbying the Girl Scouts to disband the relationship because "Barbie is a flawed role model for little girls". They have started a petition drive and criticized the organization for turning girls into "walking advertisements." 

To their credit, the scouts have said the partnership stands.  Both sides had to have anticipated this type of feedback before signing on the dotted line.  I am glad that they are not letting the squeaky wheels dictate their actions.  

Too often, organizational leaders react to public commentary by changing their policies or practice.  Not that feedback isn't good or welcome, but one-sided commentary does not always need to garner the dominant vote.  

The focus of the Mattel/Girl Scout activities is on career exploration to show girls, that like Barbie, they can have a wide range of careers.  Yes, Barbie does sport an "impossible body type", but hopefully scouts teach the Brownies some critical thinking so they can distinguish between what is a toy and what is a realistic option for their future.  The girls don't need the child advocates to do that for them.

-- beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com

@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com

Source:  Girl Scouts stick with Barbie by David Crary for the Associated Press in the Telegraph Herald, March 7, 2014, p. 8A.