Barbie is more than just a doll. The brand does $1 billion in sales across more than 150 countries annually, and 92% of American girls ages 3 to 12 have owned a Barbie, thanks in part to her ...

However, her exaggerated proportions and glamorous lifestyle have sparked plenty of debate over her influence on young girls. Barbie dolls have been praised for promoting imaginative play and ...

From the beginning, Barbie has been about allowing young girls to dream. The dolls are at once idealistic and materialistic, offering a characteristically American fantasy—for a price.