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:

15 Discussion Questions (Accessible Without Seeing the Movie)

Patriarchy, Power, and Resistance

1. Throughout history, women have often been defined in relation to men (as “wife of,” “daughter of,” etc.). What happens to identity when the roles are reversed and men are defined by women?

2. Can gender equality truly exist if the social systems built on male dominance are left in place?

3. If feminism only focuses on the experiences of wealthy or privileged women, does it risk excluding the majority of women? How can this be avoided?

4. Is it possible for a society led entirely by women to avoid the same problems of corruption and inequality seen in male-dominated systems?

The Female Experience & Self-Definition

5. Many thinkers argue that gender is something we learn to “perform,” not something we’re simply born with. In what ways do people act out or “perform” gender in daily life?

6. How does the pressure to be “perfect”—whether in looks, behavior, or success—shape women’s experiences differently than men’s?

7. Is embracing traditional femininity empowering, or does true empowerment require breaking away from those expectations?

8. How does being judged primarily for appearance affect women’s sense of identity and freedom?

Cultural Narratives & Representation

9. How do childhood toys, media, and advertising shape the way girls see themselves and their possibilities in life?

10. Can products or icons created by a male-dominated, profit-driven culture ever genuinely empower women, or are they always tied to that system?

11. Do beauty standards help people express themselves, or do they mostly serve as tools of control and comparison?

12. When stories about women are told mainly through a male perspective, what gets left out?

Intersectionality & Inclusion

13. Does mainstream feminism speak for all women, or mainly for those who fit certain images (white, middle-class, straight, etc.)?

14. How can movements for women’s rights address not just gender inequality, but also racism, class inequality, and other forms of discrimination at the same time?

15. Do people in power ever truly “give” equality, or must equality always be taken through collective action and resistance?