
An American Icon in Puerto Rico
Barbie, Girlhood, and Colonialism at Play
Emily R. Aguilo-Perez(Author)
Berghahn Books (Publisher)
Published on 11. February 2022
Book
Hardback
208 pages
978-1-80073-386-2 (ISBN)
Description
Focusing on multigenerational Puerto Rican women and girls, Emily R. Aguilo-Perez masterfully illustrates how Barbie dolls impact femininity, body image, and cultural identity.
Since her debut in 1959, Barbie has transcended boundaries and transformed into a global symbol of femininity, capturing the imaginations of girls all around the world. An American Icon in Puerto Rico offers a captivating study of that iconic influence by focusing on a group of multigenerational Puerto Rican women and girls.
Through personal narratives and insights, author Emily R. Aguilo-Perez unveils the emotional attachment that these women and girls have formed with the doll during their formative years. This connection serves as a powerful lens to explore the intricate relationships girls have with their Barbie dolls and the complex role Barbie plays in shaping their identities.
Aguilo-Perez boldly confronts the challenges and contradictions that arise, offering a compelling analysis of how playing with Barbie dolls can impact a girl's perception of femininity, body image, race, and even national identity. Through these nuanced explorations, she unearths the potential pitfalls of these influences, encouraging readers to reflect on their own relationships with the iconic doll.
By weaving together personal anecdotes, historical context, and sociocultural analysis, Aguilo-Perez masterfully illustrates how these women and girls navigate the diverse landscapes of femininity, body image, and cultural identity, with Barbie serving as both a facilitator and a reflection of their growth. In doing so, she redefines the significance of Barbie in the lives of Puerto Rican women and girls, prompting readers from all around the world to reevaluate their perceptions of femininity and embrace a more inclusive understanding of beauty, body image, and self-expression.
Since her debut in 1959, Barbie has transcended boundaries and transformed into a global symbol of femininity, capturing the imaginations of girls all around the world. An American Icon in Puerto Rico offers a captivating study of that iconic influence by focusing on a group of multigenerational Puerto Rican women and girls.
Through personal narratives and insights, author Emily R. Aguilo-Perez unveils the emotional attachment that these women and girls have formed with the doll during their formative years. This connection serves as a powerful lens to explore the intricate relationships girls have with their Barbie dolls and the complex role Barbie plays in shaping their identities.
Aguilo-Perez boldly confronts the challenges and contradictions that arise, offering a compelling analysis of how playing with Barbie dolls can impact a girl's perception of femininity, body image, race, and even national identity. Through these nuanced explorations, she unearths the potential pitfalls of these influences, encouraging readers to reflect on their own relationships with the iconic doll.
By weaving together personal anecdotes, historical context, and sociocultural analysis, Aguilo-Perez masterfully illustrates how these women and girls navigate the diverse landscapes of femininity, body image, and cultural identity, with Barbie serving as both a facilitator and a reflection of their growth. In doing so, she redefines the significance of Barbie in the lives of Puerto Rican women and girls, prompting readers from all around the world to reevaluate their perceptions of femininity and embrace a more inclusive understanding of beauty, body image, and self-expression.
Reviews / Votes
"The book provides a thought-provoking and insightful exploration of the transnational impact of Barbie as a cultural object, highlighting the importance of critically examining the cultural products that shape our understanding of gender, race, and identity." * Women's StudiesMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Library binding
Illustrations
Bibliography; Index
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
448 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-80073-386-2 (9781800733862)
DOI
10.3167/9781800733862
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
02/2022
1st Edition
Berghahn Books
€19.49
Available for download

E-Book
02/2022
1st Edition
Berghahn Books
€19.49
Available for download
Person
Emily R. Aguilo-Perez is an Associate Professor of English at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Her work has appeared in publications including The Looking Glass: New Perspectives on Children's Literature, Oxford Bibliographies in Childhood Studies, and Jeunesse: Young People, Texts, Cultures. She served as guest editor for a special issue of Girlhood Studies: An Interdisciplinary Journal, and she is a book reviewer for Latinxs in Kid Lit.
Content
Acknowledgements
Introduction: The Transnational Doll from Our Childhoods
Chapter 1. Girlhood, Dolls, and Barbie: Spaces of Innocence?
Chapter 2. The Politics of Barbie in Puerto Rico: A New Icon Emerges
Chapter 3. Fashioning a Self: Experiences of Body and Feminine Identities with Barbie
Chapter 4. Accessing Barbie: Conversations about Class and Race
Chapter 5. All in the Family: Barbie's Place in Familial Dynamics
Conclusion: Growing up with Barbie: Her Impact on Puerto Rican Girlhoods
References
Index
Introduction: The Transnational Doll from Our Childhoods
Chapter 1. Girlhood, Dolls, and Barbie: Spaces of Innocence?
Chapter 2. The Politics of Barbie in Puerto Rico: A New Icon Emerges
Chapter 3. Fashioning a Self: Experiences of Body and Feminine Identities with Barbie
Chapter 4. Accessing Barbie: Conversations about Class and Race
Chapter 5. All in the Family: Barbie's Place in Familial Dynamics
Conclusion: Growing up with Barbie: Her Impact on Puerto Rican Girlhoods
References
Index