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Arts & Entertainment

Locals Vote, No Tatts for Barbie

We asked if the "tokodoki" Barbie doll was totally trendy or way out of line and close to 100 said no way to tattoos.

Looks like there are still some old-fashioned folks—young and old—who believe tattoos aren't all that. Especially when it comes to young children who might be impressionable.

In we asked if Barbie dolls should have tattoos and out of 88 votes, 49 percent said no way. The question comes on the heels of the new "tokidoki" Barbie doll, which means "sometimes" in Japanese from Mattel introduced in mid-October.

The Gold Label Barbie collector doll sports a pink bob hairdo, a pair of tight leopard print leggings and various colorful tattoos. In fact, her tattoos are coiling Chinese dragons traveling from her chest, up the front of her neck, around to her back and onto her forearms.

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Surprisingly, some younger locals agreed that the new $50 doll should go sans tattoos.

Here are some more local comments:

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Teacher and dad Joel Tapper feels that, "Barbie dolls are not appropriate because they tend to be gender specific.  Adding tattoos works as a cultural marker but it does nothing to add value to women in general."

Mother and instructional assistant Maria Listiak says she would not let her daughter have one since she does not like tattoos in general.

Bobbie Gonzales, a high school junior says, "not attractive and not appropriate for little girls."

High school senior Ryan Gee, says,”I feel it sets a bad example for children in that age group."

Austin Mann, also a high school senior, adds, "I feel it’s not appropriate for kids because tattoos should be for kids over 18."

Jonathan Jensen, a high school junior says, "It might want to make little girls get a real tattoo."

Brian Marin-Reyes says he would not give a Barbie with tattoos as a gift.

Teacher Addie Carroll says, "Maybe the word 'tattoo' is too insinuating.  Stickers might be a better age appropriate word to use since kids love stickers!"

Grandma Tracy Buck, "Well, I happen to love tattoos and if I didn't have granddaughters I would have a few! But, I would not because tattoos are permanent and as we all know we make decisions when we are young that we wouldn't have made if we were older. Unfortunately, tattoos are a big fad right now. They will pass. Think about some clothing fad, like tie-dyed shirts, for example. Would you want to permanently wear one? Probably not. So no, but I never let my girls play with any Barbie dolls. I thought they gave a strange message."

Mattel's statement:

“Barbie has been dressed by more than 70 fashion designers over the years.  From Versace to Vera Wang, Tarina Tarantino to Christian Louboutin, Barbie has sported an endless array of styles.  Many of Barbie’s most pop-culture couture outfits have been designed for the adult doll collector.  The tokidoki Barbie is a perfect example of a limited-edition doll sold online and through select retail locations such as tokidoki boutiques. The tokidoki Barbie doll was designed by Simone Legno and is reflective of tokidoki’s larger-than-life style featuring eye-popping designs and colorful characters.”

The doll is completely sold out and according to Mattel it has no idea if and when more will be available.

Here are the poll results:

1. Yes, getting a tattoo is a sign of the times.   39 (44%)

2. Encouraging children that tattoos are cool is wrong. 49 (55%)

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