In 2016, Mattel, the maker of Barbie dolls, came out with new shapes and skin colors that marked a departure from the stick-thin traditional models. Barbie has long been a site of contestation in American culture, as some people see the doll as impacting girls in a negative way. These new dolls are constructed to give more realistic expectations about women’s bodies and these new dolls are part of a multiyear move by Mattel to recreate the image promoted by Barbie.

How powerful are these dolls in shaping how girls view gender? Go to www.barbie.com and explore the messages on the site? Does Barbie empower or disempower females?