1. Home
  2. Vol 3, No 11 (2025)
  3. Rahmadanty

Representation of Feminism Issues in Barbie the Movie: A Sociological Analysis

Author


Aulia Tiara Rahmadanty(1Mail),
(1) Fakultas Hukum, Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jakarta, Indonesia, Andorra

Mail Corresponding Author
Article Analytic
  [File Size: 287KB]  Language: en
Available online: 2025-12-07  |  Published : 2025-12-07
Copyright (c) 2025 Aulia Tiara Rahmadanty
Article can trace at:

Article Metrics

Abstract Views: 29 times PDF Downloaded: 9 times

Abstract


This study aims to analyze how feminist issues are portrayed in Barbie the Movie (2023) using a sociological approach, particularly gender theory, patriarchy, as well as liberal and radical feminist perspectives. The film is considered an important turning point in the representation of women in popular culture because it attempts to transform the long-standing image of the Barbie doll, which for years has been criticized for promoting unrealistic beauty standards. This research employs a qualitative descriptive method by analyzing the narrative and visual elements of key scenes in the film. The findings indicate that the film explicitly criticizes the patriarchal system, illustrates womens struggles within social structures, and offers a new depiction of womens existence. The study also reveals that Barbie the Movie is a product of popular culture that reflects contemporary social dynamics while providing broader insights into power relations between genders.

Keywords


feminism, gender sociology, patriarchy, popular culture, representation of women

References


Alviyanti, I. F. (2023). Analisis Gender Equality Dalam Film Barbie The Movie, 142.

Bhasin, K. (1996). Menggugat Patriarki: Pengantar tentang Persoalan Dominasi terhadap Kaum Perempuan. Yogyakarta: Yayasan Bentang Budaya.

Bowes, C. (1997). The creation of the Barbie doll. (R. Handler, Interviewer)

Indonesia, B. N. (2023, Juli 31). Bagaimana Awal Mula Barbie Diciptakan dan Mengapa Sebagian Laki-laki Sempat Menentang Boneka dengan Figur Perempuan? Retrieved from BBC News Indonesia: https://www.bbc.com/indonesia/articles/c6pw8prlpgyo

Impact of Ultra-Thin Dolls on Girls Body Image. (2012, Maret 11). Retrieved from Durham University: https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/academic/psychology/news/impact-of-ultra-thin-dolls-on-girls-body-image/

Kalra, V. (2023, July 21). Bans, Feminist Backlash and More: The Many Controversies of Barbie through the Years. Retrieved from The indian Express: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-culture/barbie-controversy-ban-history-8850977/

Ludirja, K. (2014). Konten Peran Gender Peremouan, 7.

Melati, N. K. (2019, April-Mei). Apa yang Perlu Diketahui Tentang Dasar-Dasar Feminisme. Retrieved from BaKTINews: https://baktinews.bakti.or.id/artikel/apa-yang-perlu-diketahui-tentang-dasar-dasar-feminisme#:~:text=Feminis%20Marxis%20memercayai%20bahwa%20segala,masyarkat%2C%20yakni%20kapitalisme%20dan%20patriarki.

Melati, N. K. (2019, Mei-Juni). Apa yang Perlu Diketahui Tentang Dasar-Dasar Feminisme (Bagian 2) Selesai. Retrieved from BaKTINews: https://baktinews.bakti.or.id/artikel/apa-yang-perlu-diketahui-tentang-dasar-dasar-feminisme-bagian-2-selesai#:~:text=Feminisme%20sebagai%20gerakan%20sosial%20mempunyai,mencakup%20ekspresi%2C%20identitas%20dan%20peran.

Quirk, M. (2023, July 15). The Dark Side of Barbie From 'Don't Eat' Diet Book To Controversial Pregnant Midge Doll. Retrieved from The Mirror: https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/us-celebrity-news/dark-side-barbie-dont-eat-30454150

Retnani, S. D. (2012). Feminisme Dalam Perkembangan Aliran Pemikiran. Feminisme Dalam Perkembangan Aliran Pemikiran, 101-102.

Susanto, D. (2013). Kajian Kritis Tentang Akar Teologi dan Ideologi Feminisme Amina Wadud Mushin. Kajian Kritis Tentang Akar Teologi dan Ideologi Feminisme Amina Wadud Mushin, 50-52.

Wirawan, G. B. (2020, April-Mei). Saya Laki-Laki, Saya Butuh Feminisme. Retrieved from BaKTINews: https://baktinews.bakti.or.id/artikel/saya-laki-laki-saya-butuh-feminisme#:~:text=Patriarki%20memprioritaskan%20satu%20kelompok%20laki,untuk%20kesetaraan%20di%20antara%20gender.

Wollstonecraft, M. (1729). A Vindication of the Rights of Woman: with Strictures on Political and Moral Subjects. In M. Wollstonecraft, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman: with Strictures on Political and Moral Subjects (p. 27). London

Wollstonecraft, M. (1729). A Vindication of the Rights of Woman: with Strictures on Political and Moral Subjects. In M. Wollstonecraft, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman: with Strictures on Political and Moral Subjects (p. 215-216). London


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.