I can’t believe it, but I’m the same age as Barbie.

Needless to say, she’s holding up a lot better than I am.

To mark this milestone — hers, not mine — there’s an exhibit now underway in Baltimore. And it’s giving people an opportunity to assess the moral and social impact of this shapely piece of plastic.

The Catholic Review takes note:

Concerned that the famous blonde is a bad role model who promotes a materialistic lifestyle and unnatural body image, many think parents should box Barbie and put her back on the shelf. Others worry that Barbie’s skimpy outfits feed a sex-crazed culture and encourage girls to dress immodestly.

Whether her influence has been positive, negative or both, one thing is clear: even as sales dropped 21 percent in the last quarter of 2008, the queen of American plastic fashion models is here to stay.

‘It’s very unrealistic’

A major complaint about Barbie is her unnatural, eye-popping measurements, which would be 38-18-33 if she were a real woman.

Dr. Kathleen Guidroz, assistant professor of sociology and co-director of the gender studies minor at Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, pointed out that one study found that to attain Barbie’s measurements, the average woman would have to become 24 inches taller, have five more inches in her chest and six fewer inches at her waist. Her neck would have to be three inches longer.

“It’s very unrealistic,” said Dr. Guidroz, whose university will offer an academic discussion about Barbie sometime in the early spring.

Dr. Guidroz cited British studies that showed that young girls who had been exposed to Barbie reported lower self-esteem regarding the body.

“Clearly, that means girls can internalize this notion that Barbie’s body is the ideal body,” Dr. Guidroz said.

Jason Evert, a California-based Catholic lecturer who speaks on chastity throughout the country, said girls are constantly bombarded with images of Barbie and Barbie wannabes.

“They’re told if they look like Barbie, they’ll find love,” Mr. Evert said. “Barbie is a product of the culture. She’s just one of the millions of elements like MTV, magazine covers and movies that are pushing girls away from modesty and dignity.”

In his chastity talks to teens, Mr. Evert often waves a Barbie doll clad in fishnet stockings, short skirt and strapless top.

“It’s desensitizing to kids to play with toys that look like prostitutes,” he said. “By the time they’re in fourth grade, when it comes time to buy an outfit, it doesn’t strike them as anything out of the ordinary to buy something immodest.”

Mr. Evert reminds teens that when they dress like Barbie, they unknowingly attract men who think the body is the best thing about them.

He strongly urges parents not to buy Barbies for their children.

“Give them a real icon of womanhood,” he said. “You can get action figures of the Blessed Virgin now in Christian bookstores. Push a button on her back and she recites the Magnificat.”

There’s much more at the Catholic Review link. Take a look.