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Rachel Marie Stone

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The Evolution of Polly Pocket

The Evolution of Polly Pocket

Last updated on: May 8, 2012 at 6:00 am by Rachel Marie Stone

The Evolution of Polly Pocket 2012-05-08T06:00:58-04:00 Rachel Marie Stone

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This series is seriously wringing some serious handwringing out of me.

To be clear, not once have I created a post by first finding the evidence of evolution and then posting it.

It’s been more like this:

“gee, I remember Candy Land looking a lot different…let me get out my old board.”
“Oh, hey, Strawberry Shortcake, I love her! Is she still a thing?”
“Polly Pocket! Is she still around?”

Indeed, she is, but like the rest of the artifacts in this series (even the ponies, for cryin’ out loud) she has gotten taller, thinner, and sexier.

I had a 1989 Polly Pocket–Polly’s Townhome, I do believe–and I loved it. How fun to have a tiny dollhouse you could bring with you anywhere!

The original (circa 1989) Polly Pocket figures looked like this:

1989 Polly Pocket figures

Let’s just run through the years quickly, shall we?

1990 figures

Note 2 things about these early figures:

1. essentially childlike

2. not sexy

1990 figures with “pocket”

1994; a wee bit taller, maybe?

1995; wee bit sexier.

1998, the pivotal year, methinks

1998, sexier, less childlike–but still not grownup or super-skinny

2001, and it becomes about dressing her up instead of playing dollhouse…

2002, ditto, but sexier

2003, Polly goes on a crash diet.

2004. At least they’re portraying some eating.

2006; Polly and her anorexic friends aboard a floating paradise-of-consumption.

2007. Bare bottomed anorexic Polly!

And the contemporary Pollys:

Cute matching wellie/umbrella dollies

skinny bathing beauty Polly. Note the huge eyes!

Just to compare, these are the figures I played with (around 1989-90)

I’m finding this trend disturbing, to say the least.

How could playing with increasingly Barbiefied dolls NOT exacerbate young girls’ body dissatisfaction? How could the movement of toys toward ever sexier versions of themselves NOT contribute to the premature sexualization of young girls?

Maybe not for every child that plays with them, but certainly for some.

Further, what does it mean that toys (esp. toys that attempt to represent some kind of human figure) are trending toward consumptive activities in the way they’re packaged and presented? In other words, my Polly Pocket lived in a little apartment. She could have friends over and play house, go to work, hang out with her cat. Today’s Polly Pocket can change her clothes, ride on her luxury jet and go on a cruise. There’s something about her (not just her, but many toys) that celebrates consumption in a way that I’m not sure is pretty sure isn’t healthy.

What do you think? Do you find this trend disturbing? Am I being quixotic?

{You may enjoy the other posts in this series: The Evolution of Strawberry Shortcake, My Little Pony, Candy Land, Morton Salt & Coca-Cola, and G.I. Joe}

Uncategorized

cultural evolution of toys

Polly Pocket

sexualization of girls

toys getting sexier

toys getting skinnier

toys getting taller

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