Fun_People Archive
12 Nov
Iran designs religiously correct Barbie

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From: Peter Langston <psl>
Date: Tue, 12 Nov 96 16:08:21 -0800
To: Fun_People
Subject: Iran designs religiously correct Barbie

Forwarded-by: Lani Herrmann <lanih@info.sims.berkeley.edu>
Forwarded-by: jmichael@sas.upenn.edu

    LONDON, Oct. 21 (UPI)--In another attempt to combat Western imperialism,
Iran has decided to manufacture its own version of a Barbie doll, the
British Broadcasting Corp. reported Monday.
    The government-owned Children's Cultural Promotion Center is designing
dolls with outfits that conform to strict Muslim codes of modesty.
    Iran is worried that the U.S.-made, voluptuous Barbies might harmfully
influence Iranian girls and boys.
    A spokesman for the center told the BBC that Iran is worried that girls
might want to model themselves on the U.S. image of young womanhood, while
boys could grow up expecting a blond, proportionately peculiar ideal.
    Women in Iran are required to cover themselves from head to toe with a
black garb known as a chador, under which proportions are difficult to
discern. They are also expected to cover their hair with the chador or a
scarf.
    Strict interpretation of Muslim law is enforced in Iran by male morals
squads that patrol the streets looking for women whose ankles show or who
might be wearing makeup, another forbidden accessory.
    No details were given about Iranian Barbie's dress code or whether she
would have an ensemble of matching robes and head scarves.

© 1996 Peter Langston