Fairy Tales and Barbie Dolls: Conceptualizing Beauty and its Consequences on Pakistani Kinder-culture

Abstract

The present research was conducted to study the impact of fairy tales and Barbie dolls and its consequences on Pakistani kinder-culture. It explored how girls conceptualize ‘beauty’ because of the exposure to fairy tales and Barbie dolls. The data was taken from 120 primary school girls and 20 teachers. Questionnaire was used as a tool for data collection. The theoretical framework was based on a combination of three theories; Schema Development Theory by Piaget (1983), Social Learning Theory by Bandura (1977) and Cultivation Theory by Gerbner (1989). An analysis of the data revealed that young girls develop schemas of beauty in their minds by listening to fairy tales and playing with Barbie dolls. As they grow up, these schemas morph into their minds and force them to conceptualize beauty in a programmed manner. The social learning goes hand-in-hand when they observe and model the image, behavior and lifestyle displayed by fairy tale princesses and Barbie dolls. The media here acts as a cultivator, aiding the process of conceptualizing beauty through cartoons and films. Hence, the girls face its impact and consequences