Valentine’s Day weekend opens on a tragic note this year, as Mattel has announced the breakup of fabled lovers Barbie and Ken. According to The Associated Press, “Russell Arons, vice president of marketing at Mattel, said that Barbie and Ken ‘feel it’s time to spend quality time – apart.'”
There was speculation about whether the breakup was centered around the release of Cali Girl Barbie, a tanned, bikini-top-wearing edition of the plastic bombshell. Arons, however, denied these rumors, hinting toward other possible factors that might have led to the finalization of a 43-year-long relationship.
“Arons hinted Wednesday that the separation may be partially due to Ken’s reluctance to getting married,” according to the AP.
Another factor the AP listed was the hectic nature of Barbie’s careers – which have fluxed from “a rock star to a military medic” – over the course of her 45-year existence, as well as the demand for her presence in “more than 150 countries.”
The breakup is a poor move on the part of Mattel, and a sad imitation of the state of long-term relationships in America. In a world where the pillar of partner loyalty has been constantly chipped away by pop culture – for example, shows like “Change of Heart,” and rap music – Barbie and Ken’s solidarity through times of hardship and temptation has been a model of committment.
Despite the release of several, equally-attractive friends of Barbie, nary a rumor has been spread about the mere possibility of infidelity by the faithful Ken. “Pregnant” Barbie, however, made a controversial splash in 2003, seemingly a commentary on the increasing trend of women to rear children out of wedlock – DNA tests are inconclusive about the identity of the father, though the ex-couple has alluded it is Ken.
Equally worse are reports that a new man looms on the horizon: “a new admirer, Blaine the Australian boogie boarder,” according to the AP. This bodes poorly for all parties, as the possibility of Ken reconciliating and rejoining his love seems slimmer, and Barbie’s reputation could go from innocent beauty queen to two-bit, man-a-minute hussy.
The split will also severely hurt Ken financially, whose popularity and even existence was made possible by Barbie. Many of Ken’s editions have been made to compliment his ex-lover, and there have even been wedding versions of the dolls – vows, however, were never officially exchanged, leaving Ken devoid of any possible monetary settlement. Barbie, however, is expected to be able to stand on her own, though various male companions will most likely have to be produced to continue sparking the imaginations of the young girls who play with the dolls.
In the spirit of Valentine’s Day – and more importantly, for the preservation of one of the few American examples of a healthy relationship – Mattel should employ the services of counselors to keep Ken and Barbie together. Without the solid union between the two, Barbie’s convertible may be headed for single bars and one-night stands at the Malibu Beachhouse, and that’s a poor moral example for the youth of today.
