Option 3, Blog #4

For this particular blog, I decided to focus on how "Black Barbies" can be related to women in the workforce. I understand that the correlation may not immediately make sense, but I believe that there can be a relation between the two. For example, Sharon Raynor mentions in her article that since the early 1990s, Mattel has made a huge effort in trying to incorporate darker shades of Barbie to their product lines, along with giving them more ethnic names in hopes to connect better with different target markets. Raynor then goes on to explain how one of her most favorite Barbie dolls was the first black on she received. Sure, she may not have had enough money to afford other dresses or accessories, but it was the idea that she felt a personal connection with her black Barbie doll that made her fascinated by them and is now a doll collector herself.

So, how does this relate to women in the workforce? According to Mehroz Baig of the Huffington Post, the number of women in the workforce increased from 30.3 million in 1970, to 72.7 million from 2006-2010. That's about a 10% increase. Baig also goes on to note that the various amount of jobs made available to women has increased, and in many fields as well. In 1970, women tended to have jobs as a secretary, teacher, etc. And although the amount of women taking these jobs are not as high as they should be, it is the idea that women are now assuming roles typically placed by men and are staying at those positions for long amounts of time.

The connection I am trying to make is that much like the author of "Black Barbies" had a passion for dolls after being given her first black Barbie, I feel that women are being given more chances to prove themselves in the workforce and have become very passionate at what they do, regardless of the job they are working. Because of this, many women have led large roles in increasing productivity and shifting the mindset of traditional workforce mentalities, in which women can do what men do and vice versa. It may be a loose connection, but I feel that it is relevant.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mehroz-baig/women-in-the-workforce-wh_b_4462455.html?utm_hp_ref=womens-rights