BOSTON, March 6 (UPI) -- Girl Scouts of the USA's new relationship with the Barbie doll provides a bad role model, an advocacy group said Thursday.
The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood said the tie-in is beneficial for Mattel Inc. and the Barbie brand. But it argued it will hurt the Girl Scouts and its young members.
"Barbie is now featured prominently in the 'For Girls' section of girlscouts.org. A web game produced by the Girl Scouts and Mattel is little more than an interactive ad," the campaign said in a statement. "And Daisies and Brownies, the youngest Scouts, are encouraged to wear a Barbie patch, transforming their previously commercial-free uniforms into walking advertisements."
Critics have long said Mattel promotes "a sexualized image" of women through Barbie, the group said, adding that girls are taught to admire a body type they will be unable to achieve.
The group said it decided to go public after trying to work with the Girl Scouts on the issue.
