Barbie Dominates Golden Globes Nominations: Re-Sparks Gender Role Dialogue

Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” has taken the Golden Globe Awards nominations by storm, receiving an astounding nine nods for the blockbuster film. 

The movie’s recognition includes best picture in the musical or comedy category, as well as acting nominations for Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, and three nominations for its original songs. 

Its success was closely followed by Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer,” which received eight nominations, including Best Picture in the Drama category and acting nominations for Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr., and Emily Blunt.

The summer of Barbie

The Barbie Movie, released in the summer of 2023, was more than just a box office hit. It captured the attention and hearts of viewers from various backgrounds and age groups. 

With its campy yet accessible approach, the film explored a range of themes and societal realities. Beyond simply reimagining the iconic Barbie aesthetic, it offered a fresh perspective on the progress of feminism and the evolving nature of gender roles.

Unpacking gender roles

The Barbie doll, named after the daughter of creator Ruth Handler, has been a significant influence in shaping how young girls view themselves and their place in the world since its debut in 1959. 

Gone were the days when girls were solely taught that their role was to become mothers to baby dolls. Barbie represented the idea that girls could be anything they aspired to be. 

In today’s world, it seems less revolutionary to believe that both men and women are capable of training for and excelling in all career opportunities. However, there are still numerous areas where gender equality is lacking.

• The reality

The Barbie Movie sheds light on these deficiencies and highlights where progression is crucial. In the United States, as women have entered the workforce in greater numbers than ever before, there remains a significant disparity in compensation compared to men. 

On average, women earn 82 cents for every dollar earned by men, and this disparity is even more pronounced among women of color. 

Furthermore, while women contribute significantly to the workforce, they continue to shoulder a majority of household responsibilities, including cleaning, cooking, childcare, grocery shopping, dishwashing, and laundry. 

Men, on the other hand, tend to take on more responsibilities such as investing, car care, and yard work. These expectations perpetuate gender stereotypes.

• The impact

Understanding the impact of gender roles is essential. These roles represent generalized views and prescribed attributes based on an individual’s gender identity, predominantly within the male-female binary. 

Multiple factors contribute to the reinforcement of these roles, including societal norms, media, culture, parenting, peer influence, and the environment. It is important to recognize that most of these gender roles have no biological basis and are more context-dependent. 

When stereotypes associated with gender roles become ingrained, they can limit both men and women in developing their unique talents and identities. Gender roles can also reinforce a binary understanding of gender and create mental health strains for individuals who do not fit within these narrow norms.

• Age no bar

Adolescence, in particular, is a stage in which the struggle to conform to perceived gender expectations intensifies. This concept of gender intensification refers to the dissonance between perceived gender expectations and the individual’s actual gender expression. 

This dissonance can significantly impact mental health and often manifests as symptoms of depression, anxiety, and even suicidal ideation. The complexity deepens when considering individuals with non-binary gender identities and diverse sexual orientations.

Toxic gender stereotypes further compound these challenges. For instance, common stereotypes suggest that women are naturally nurturing while men are inherently aggressive. As individuals internally and externally internalize these stereotypes, they can influence their self-perceptions and actions. 

Men may start to believe that they are unfit to be good fathers or unable to effectively care for their homes, while women face the burden of societal expectations to excel in their careers while managing traditional domestic responsibilities. 

These harmful stereotypes perpetuate gender biases and can have detrimental effects on both individuals and society as a whole.

Challenging the stereotypes

Fortunately, there are numerous ways to challenge and dismantle these gender roles and stereotypes. It begins with parents and caregivers, who can encourage children to freely play with toys they naturally gravitate towards, regardless of gender associations. 

Furthermore, sharing household chores equally and equitably sets an example of shared responsibility for future generations.

Engaging in activities typically associated with the “opposite” gender can be another powerful way to challenge gender stereotypes. 

Breaking free from restrictive expectations and societal norms helps to dismantle long-standing biases. It is also essential to speak out against gender bias and discrimination when witnessed, creating a ripple effect of awareness and change.

The Barbie Movie excels in exemplifying how to address these biases. The film opens in a fantastical world, painted entirely in pink, where women are in control, gravity is defied, and dream houses cater to never-ending dance and slumber parties. 

It is a perfect representation of a world where women have complete autonomy. However, this idyllic setting is humorously shattered when Barbie and Ken venture into the real world and find themselves facing a roomful of male executives from Mattel TM. 

The stark shift in power dynamics jolts Ken and forces him to confront the possibilities of a different life. Through this lens, the film challenges traditional gender roles and reflects on the work still needed to combat biases that hinder progress and equality.

Ken’s perspective: The impact of patriarchy

The Barbie Movie takes a unique approach to examining the patriarchy by employing the character of Ken. In Barbie Land, Ken is little more than an accessory, constantly overshadowed by Barbie’s presence. 

Feeling a lack of purpose, Ken readily embraces the patriarchal ideals prevalent in a more male-dominated society. He brings these norms back to Barbie Land, where deeply ingrained gender norms manifest in the Barbie dolls adopting submissive female roles while the Kens assert their authority with macho leadership.

However, the film goes beyond simply showcasing the impact of the patriarchy on women. It highlights the detrimental effects on men themselves. 

The patriarchal system, although constructed to benefit men, often takes a toll on their mental health and overall well-being. 

Men who are conditioned to conform to rigid expectations of emotional expression and communication often struggle with a higher risk of mental health concerns and resort to violence as a means of coping. 

Men are more likely to engage in substance misuse and violent behavior, and they are three times more likely to die by suicide than women. A significant contributing factor is their hesitance to seek help or express vulnerability, hindering their ability to access support from friends, loved ones, or professionals.

The acknowledgment

The movie garnered significant acclaim from various celebrities across the industry.

During an appearance on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast, Academy Award-winning actress Anne Hathaway expressed her gratitude that her Barbie movie never materialized. She lauded Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie’s Barbie as “the best possible version” of the story.

Rapper and singer Nicki Minaj also showered praise on the film in a tweet, stating, “The film is so visually stimulating. The actors can actually act, & the comedic timing is actually on time. Bravo. I’ll see it again & give my final analysis around the 21st. Will Ferrell, I 💖 U.”

Producer Dan Marcus took to Twitter, declaring, “Barbie is sensational. Greta Gerwig has created one of the most creative, original blockbusters in quite some time. Bursting with hilarious ingenuity and overflowing with genuine heart, BARBIE benefits from Gerwig’s strong, unique POV as a storyteller. I was immensely moved.”

Continued challenges and the path forward

As The Barbie Movie reaches its conclusion, it becomes evident that achieving equality and balance between Barbie and Ken is essential. The film underscores the importance of continued efforts to challenge and redefine gender roles in our society. 

Whether Barbie is in charge or Ken assumes control, both extremes disrupt the delicate equilibrium within Barbie Land.

The impact and significance of The Barbie Movie extend beyond its entertainment value. By offering a thought-provoking critique of our culture’s gender norms and shedding light on their implications for mental health, the film propels crucial conversations forward. 

Gender roles, stereotypes, and the pervasive influence of the patriarchy remain significant challenges as individuals explore and embrace diverse gender identities outside the binary.

Looking ahead, it is vital that we continue to challenge and break down these gender barriers in all aspects of life. From dismantling harmful stereotypes to advocating for equal rights and opportunities, every step towards greater gender equality benefits not only individuals but the larger society as well. 

The Barbie Movie serves as a poignant reminder that the journey towards true gender equality continues, and it is up to all of us to foster an inclusive and equitable future.