Barbie and the Politics of Being a Woman

We will be meeting at Pablo Creek Regional Library - Conference Room!

Join us as we explore the theme's behind Barbie (2023)! Discussion Questions below Movie Summary

Please note: We will not be watching the movie during the event, nor is viewing it beforehand required.

## Brief Summary

In Barbieland, women hold every position of power, and life is flawless—until Barbie begins to experience imperfection. Her journey to the real world exposes her to patriarchy, double standards, and the complexities of being a woman in a male-dominated society. As Barbie confronts sexism, identity crises, and the struggle for self-definition, Ken discovers patriarchy for the first time—bringing it back to Barbieland and igniting a gender power struggle that forces everyone to rethink what equality really means.

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## Philosophical Discussion Questions:

### Patriarchy, Power, and Resistance

1. Some philosophers say women have often been defined only in relation to men. How does the movie flip that idea when Ken becomes the one defined by Barbie?
2. Can true equality between men and women happen without tearing down the old systems that gave men more power in the first place?
3. bell hooks argued that feminism needs to include the struggles of women from different races, classes, and backgrounds—or it risks only helping the most privileged. How could Barbieland’s feminism fall into that trap?

### The Female Experience & Self-Definition

4. Judith Butler suggested that gender is something we “perform” through our actions, not something we’re born with. How does Barbie’s journey challenge the role she’s been performing her whole life?
5. What harm does the expectation for women to be “perfect” cause—even in a world where women are in charge?
6. Do women need to reject traditional ideas of femininity to be free, or can they reshape femininity into something powerful?

### Cultural Narratives & Representation

7. How do toys, movies, and pop culture shape the way girls and women see themselves from an early age?
8. Can a character like Barbie—created inside a male-dominated, profit-driven system—ever truly be a symbol of freedom for women?
9. Some critics say beauty standards keep women focused on their looks instead of power. How does the movie reflect or challenge that idea?

### Intersectionality & Inclusion

10. Does the kind of feminism shown in the movie represent all women—or mainly women who fit a certain image?
11. How can feminism fight against not just sexism, but also racism, classism, and other unfair systems—without losing focus?
12. Can equality be handed down by those in power, or do people have to claim it for themselves?