GI Joe and Barbie: Bad for self-esteem?

"The Real American Hero," this has been the phrase used to sell GI Joes since the 1964 release of the action figure. The real American hero of what? The action figure is based off of a cartoon that's not real and the antagonist of the program has nothing to do with the enemies of America. The Barbie doll has a perfect unattainable body, and when little girls see this body they believe that they will or …

…has encouraged war games and that being the ultimate macho man is a way of life. I believe that Mattel should deflate Barbie's bust line and widen her hips, or they should give her some kind of flaw; after all no one is perfect. Hasbro should make G. I. Joe look like the average everyday Joe. There are plenty of men in the military, but how many of them actually look like G. I. Joe?