I’ve been asked to write a guest blog post answering the question ‘What one piece of advice would you give you teen self?’ I can think of dozens of things I wish I could tell my teen self. But the blogger asked for one, so I’m narrowing it down. One of the following topics will become my blog post:
Favorite Read-a-louds
If You Need a Laugh
The Second Hobart is Coming Next Year!
Best Friends Day!
Favorite Tolkien Quotes
A Year in Review
Favorite Literary Quotes About Mothers
Encouraging Young Writers
Happy Birthday, Caroline!
Book Lovers’ Holidays 2023
Favorite Christmas Books
Character Interview: Lord Rupert of Flamegon
Name: Lord Rupert of Flamegon
Birthday: June 25
Introvert or Extrovert: Introvert
Favorite Color: Starlight White
5 Things I Love: Astronomy, Books, Visitors, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Baths
Beach or Mountains: Mountains
Dream Job: Astronomer
Favorite Music Style: Bird Song
Biggest Fear: Spiders
Prize Possession: My Telescope
People Call Me: A Gentle Giant
I Will Always: Strive to love and to learn
Book: The Legend of Hobart
Great Gift Ideas for Book Lovers
Favorite Queen Elizabeth Quotes
A Great Moment
Favorite Quotes about Fictional Fathers
The Day I Died
Another Viral Outbreak
Teen Talk Barbie and Other Mistakes
In 1992, Mattel released Teen Talk Barbie, who spoke the now infamous phrase, “Math class is tough.” Or as she says in so many memes, “Math is hard.”
I doubt that the Mattel company was attempting to brainwash girls into thinking they were bad at math. (Not only does research show the exact opposite, but the Mattel executives aren’t that stupid). In all likelihood, they had listened to what girls were saying and were trying to meet them where they were. They were trying to relate. Instead, they ticked off a whole lot of people and were forced to recall the doll and publicly admit that they had made an error.
For me, Mattel’s mistake wasn’t the phrase, “Math class is tough.” Their mistake was stopping there. They used a period when they should have used a semicolon. Barbie professed that math was hard. Done. End of story. That’s just the way it is.
What kids needed was a character who said, “Math is hard for me; but I’ve got this.” Or, “Math doesn’t come as easily to me as it does for my sister; but I’m not giving up.”
Barbie needed to face her giant with her bedazzled calculator in hand. It didn’t have to be quick or easy. But in the end, she needed to win. Why? Because she was talking to kids. And kids don’t need a voice whispering to them that they can’t do it, that they’re a failure waiting to happen, that nothing will ever get better. They need hope.
And as people who speak into their lives, through conversation, books, or plastic talking dolls, we have a responsibility to remind them that things really can better.
So grab your AP Calculus book, Barbie, and show them how it’s done. High heels are optional.