dicta \ 'dik-te \ n. [L. fr. neut. of dictus, ptp. of dicere] (1599) 1: a noteworthy statement: as a: a formal pronouncement of a principle, proposition, or opinion b: an observation intended or regarded as authoritative 2: a judicial opinion on a point other than the precise issue involved in determining a case 3: a legendary coach of the Chicago Bears football team from 1982-1992. 
(By Delegate Eldridge)
[Introduced March 3, 2009; referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.]
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new article, designated §47-25-1, to read as follows:
ARTICLE 25. BARBIE DOLLS.
§47-25-1. Unlawful sale of Barbie dolls.
It shall be unlawful in the state to sell "Barbie" dolls and other similar dolls that promote or influence girls to place an undue importance on physical beauty to the detriment of their intellectual and emotional development.
Seriously?!? OK, sure body acceptance issues is a big problem facing our society, but the solution is better parenting not banning Barbie. This equivalent of seeing a roach on your kitchen counter and deciding to kill it using a sledge hammer.
Kids watch too much TV? Ban TV. Kids spent too much time text messaging rather than doing homework? Ban cell phones. Kids eat too much junk food? Ban Twinkies.
I consider myself somewhat of a paternalist, but even I have my limits.
4 comments:
I'm afraid the solution is not better parenting. In fact, that is rarely the best or possible solution to societal issues. If it were than introduction of TV to Fiji would not have resulted in vast eating disorders for the first time in that society. (You can argue against parents allowing TV, but even adult women reported eating disorders in the studies.)
Putting the patriarchy on parents or any single group of people for that matter is not what I consider the best angle on this one. While I agree that banning Barbie is not the most affective solution, it is a positive step towards acknowledging what we are doing to ourselves as a community, especially young girls.
WV legislators had to realize proposing a Barbie ban would cause a big media stir but, then again, maybe this was strategic...
Coffee, here's some of the reaction here:
It won't hyperlink for me today:
http://www.whsv.com/westvirginiaap/headlines/41515767.html
:(
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