Last week Barbie celebrated her 50th bday at a star-studded party held at a life-sized version of her Malibu Dream House in California. The ageless icon was first introduced to the world in 1959 at the New York Toy Fair, selling for three dollars, with outfits at between one and five dollars. Since then she has been outfitted for 108 careers, modelled for more than 70 real life couturiers.

Barbie has also caused her fair share of controversy for being, what some feel, a bad influence on girls self-esteem. Just last week West Virginia state lawmaker Jeff Eldridge proposed a bill to legally ban Barbie (and other dolls that promote beauty) from the sales shelves across the state because he thinks Barbie sends young children the damaging message that looks are everything. While Barbie makers certainly disagrees with such claims, the recently released new Barbie does fall victim to current beauty standards as explained by Mattel as having “a thinner jaw line, more almond-shaped eyes, fuller lips.”

Check out the great video of Kristen Wigg as Barbie on SNL from this weekend:

Whether you love or hate Barbie, takepart and check out Adios Barbie, it’s a great site promoting healthy body image and self-image for people of all cultures and sizes