What Does Barbie Have to Do With Maternal Mental Health?

Written By Amy Green

In our journey through life, we often encounter unexpected teachers in the most unlikely of places. Sometimes, it's not the textbooks or wise mentors who impart the most profound lessons, but rather, it's the toys we played with as children.

Enter Barbie, the iconic doll who has been a fixture in countless childhoods around the world. Barbie is getting a lot of attention lately through the movie, but she has also been a symbol of aspiration and possibility for generations of girls. But what does Barbie have to do with maternal mental health?

Barbie's Influence on Maternal Mental Health

As it turns out, Barbie holds a subtle but significant role in shaping our understanding of womanhood and motherhood from a young age. From the narratives woven into our playtime adventures with Barbie dolls, we absorb societal expectations and norms surrounding femininity and family life.

Think about it: Barbie, the ultimate multitasker, effortlessly balances her career, social life, and undoubtedly, her relationship with Ken. And somewhere along the line, it's likely that Barbie became a mother too. But most of the stories we're told about Barbie and motherhood tend to end at the birth of her child.

Challenging and Reframing Barbie's Motherhood Narrative

So many mothers can relate: the focus shifts entirely to the baby, with Barbie fading into the background, left to navigate the complexities of new motherhood alone. The narrative overlooks her struggles, her doubts, and the profound transformation she undergoes as she reconciles her pre-motherhood identity with her new role as a parent.

Behind Barbie's plastic facade lies a reflection of the real-life experiences of countless women. Motherhood is a journey marked by joy, but also by challenges, uncertainties, and moments of profound self-discovery. It's a journey that requires women to piece together the fragments of their former selves while embracing the profound changes that come with bringing new life into the world.

So, what can we learn from Barbie about maternal mental health?

Perhaps it's a reminder that the stories we tell—whether through toys, media, or everyday conversations, have the power to shape our perceptions of motherhood. And in rewriting those narratives, we have the opportunity to create a more compassionate, supportive environment for mothers everywhere.

As we reflect on the lessons learned from our childhood playthings, let's not forget the wisdom they hold. And let's strive to ensure that every mother—whether she's a plastic icon or a real-life superhero, feels seen, heard, and supported on her journey through motherhood. After all, in the end, we're all just trying to piece together the puzzle of who we are amidst the beautiful chaos of raising the next generation.

–

Amy Green is the founder of Mamaya Health, a virtual maternal mental health practice that offers therapy for issues such as perinatal depression, anxiety, trauma, "baby blues," isolation or overwhelm in pregnancy or parenthood, and pregnancy loss or grief. Empowering mothers in their most vulnerable moments, Mamaya Health is dedicated to transforming maternal mental health care from a luxury to a fundamental right.