Totally Stylin’ Tattoo Nikki, or “Tattoo Barbie”, is springing up in stores and toy boxes around the nation. This Barbie comes equipped with tattoo stickers and a tattoo gun that kids can use on either themselves or the doll. This is the company’s second attempt at creating a Barbie with tattoos; this one, like its predecessor Butterfly Tattoo Barbie (1999), has been highly controversial. In fact, the Butterfly Tattoo Barbie was pulled from shelves around the world just four months after its release.

                This is not the only Barbie Mattel makes that’s controversial, but the rest aren’t as hyped. Until 1967, the only ethnicity represented was Caucasian. An African American Barbie was released in 1967, and a Hispanic one was released in 1980. A pregnant Barbie can be purchased. With teen pregnancy such a problem in this country, it should be a bigger issue than a Barbie with nonpermanent tattoos. Another under criticized Barbie is Black Canary, because she is dressed like a hooker. Parents should be outraged that such an excepting message of this behavior is delivered to their little girl.  

                The scrutiny over Tattoo Barbie roots from it being considered inappropriate for children from those who oppose the existence of tattoos. Many Christians view having a tattoo has defiling your body and as such a sin. For those who disagree with Tattoo Barbie, I ask the question: is anyone making you buy the doll for your daughter? If you do not think it’s appropriate, then simply don’t buy it. It is not the governments’ job to take things off the market, because we are too indecisive just not to buy it. If this is your issue, you need to grow up, not make the government baby sit you and your child. The government has far more pressing issues to handle at the moment. When it comes to toys, the government should spend their time ensuring safety, not making ethical calls.     

                Those who support tattoos have a valid point in saying that this is self-expression. Art is a way to express who you are, and after all, a tattoo is a type of art. While I personally would never dream of having a tattoo, it is not my or anyone else’s position to limit someone else’s freedom of expression. Does the United States’ Constitution not grant this right to all its citizens? For this reason, it is outrageous and unconstitutional to remove this product from shelves.    

                The government should not be in charge of making ethics choices on toys that parents are capable of deciding. In addition, it is out of ignorance to the US constitution that taking this item from stores would occur.