http://dailymail.com/News/statehouse/200903030085W.Va. bill would make it unlawful to sell Barbie, similar dolls
Lawmaker wants to ax dolls that promote physical beauty in state
by Michelle Saxton
Daily Mail Capitol Reporter
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Malibu Barbie better invite Nuclear Physicist Barbie to join her famous clique if a proposed bill to ban the fashion dolls gains any traction in West Virginia.
House Bill 2918, introduced Tuesday, would make it unlawful to sell Barbie and similar dolls "that promote or influence girls to place an undue importance on physical beauty to the detriment of their intellectual and emotional development."
"That's the image out there that's the most impressionable on our younger children, especially our little girls -- 'I want to be like Barbie,'" said the bill's sponsor, Delegate Jeff Eldridge, D-Lincoln. "If we had that other image of Barbie being smart, and beautiful as well, I think that would be a great image to send to our young kids. "
No immediate comment was available Tuesday from toy company Mattel, which manufactures Barbie dolls. The bill's introduction comes just days before Barbie celebrates her 50th anniversary on March 9.
Even if the bill fails, Eldridge believes it will send a message to retailers to "step it up to another level."
Gov. Joe Manchin said it's not up to state government officials to regulate such toys.
"That should be up to the parents," he said. "Parents have to be involved in parenting. Let them make that decision."
If the bill makes any headway in the Legislature, West Virginia's government would not be the first to try to block Barbie from store shelves. Iran has tried to ban Barbie dolls in the past, in large part because of how they are dressed.
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