On top of sending the wrong message to would-be STEM girls, it also sends a message to girls who aren't into science/math. It tells them that those STEM girls could just act more feminine, helping to "justify" dislike and bullying.
I wonder how this stuff keeps happening at Mattel - whether it's because they insert flirtation with boys into every Barbie story, or there was an actual directive to make her look ditzy for marketing reasons.
I wonder how this stuff keeps happening at Mattel - whether it's because they insert flirtation with boys into every Barbie story, or there was an actual directive to make her look ditzy for marketing reasons.