Blog #4 - 2.16.09 Monday

Please read Chapt. 10, pp. 283-293 before completing this blog.

1. The first article suggests that action toys and figures for boys have a huge influence on the male body image. These action figures affect men on having eating and body disorders, taking steroids and other drugs to gain muscle just as barbie affects women on the same notion, but with a more thin and slimmed out ideal physique. The second article counteracts the first article and argues that the action figures and toys do not have an influence on a man's personal bulk. Kim Franke-Folstad actually explains in her article that she finds in rather amusing and comical that little boys would take out a ruler and measure a figure's body to size up to it.

2. The tone for the first article is more conservative and serious. The first article gives many facts and examples measuring out each action figure and putting them into real-life examples. I would choose an anti-ana, conservative audience for this article. The second article is more from a self-perspective point of view and is not as long as the first article. The author, Kim Franke-Folstad points out part of examples of the first article and twists/changes the example into a comical sense. The audience for this article is a more liberal, free-minded group.

3. I personally have to agree with Kim Franke-Folstad's article. I found the first article rather amusing and comical. It just didn't appeal to me in the sense that action figures and barbie dolls could actually influence a child in that way. Growing up, I played with barbie dolls, but I have never had the influence to look like barbie. That was just not possible in my case. The blue eyes and blond hair... Since I am oriental/Asian. I just cannot see how these toys and plastic figures can influence such children. Children are influenced by their favorite celebrities and grow up idolizing and wanting to look like him or her. However, with plastic figures, I think these toys are just companions rather than peer pressure.