Toy Shows as Pre-Adult Preparation: Roland Barthes' Insight - Essay Sample

Introduction

According to Roland Barthes, toy shows or films are made to reflect the adult domain, preparing small kids to become familiar with their expected responsibilities and duties when they mature up. By watching toy shows, children not only get entertained but also get to adapt to particular activities at their young age and which they are likely to carry on as they become adults. Barthes states that there exist some dolls which are meant to prepare young kids for future roles as adults. Such toys include those that when given a bottle, they will wet their nappies. Such dolls are meant to prepare young girls for some housekeeping and motherly responsibilities. This paper identifies a show called 'Diana Little Mommy for Baby doll Emili' that incorporates Barthes ideas to prepare young girls for maternal duties when they grow up. The paper looks at the activities in the show and how they prepare young girls for the adult world.

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The show starts when a young doll "Emili" wakes up her mother early in the morning. "Diana," the mum is to prepare "Emilli" for the start of the day. Acting as a mother, Diana wakes up, and they both head to the bathroom for an early cleanup including brushing their teeth. Being the mommy in this show, Diana has the responsibility of brushing her small kid's teeth and also washing her face. Having cleaned up, the mommy and her daughter Emili head to the wardrobe to change their clothes. At this point, the baby doll and the mommy choose their dresses for that day, and they even complement each other for their dress codes (Kids Diana Show n.p). Later, the two head to the dining room where Diana the 'mommy' seats Emili and starts preparing her the breakfast.

Diana uses her blender to prepare some fruits juice for the two, and they each take glass as their breakfast. After finishing the breakfast, Diana prepares Emili for a walk outside their premises. Diana carries the baby doll in her carrier. To show her motherly responsibilities, Diana also packs some food for the baby, including some fruits and a drink so that she can eat as they go out to play. Diana takes her baby doll to a playfield, and they both enjoy the moment playing different games (Kids Diana Show, n.p). When the child gets hungry during the playtime, Diana shows the motherly responsibility by giving her the food she had brought from home. Later on, the two get back home to take a rest.

The show, 'Diana Little Mommy for Baby doll Emili' prepares young children for parenthood aspects by showing how they are required to handle their young ones. The show teaches young girls to uncritically accept elements of the adult world by showing the responsibilities they have towards their young kids. The adult world comes with parenting roles; hence, this show makes young girls know how to take care of their children as the day starts (Kids Diana Show, n.p).Young girls get to know what should be done early in the morning when they wake up as they prepare for a new day. Young girls learn the primary morning duties required for their children and the manner they should be conducted (Kids Diana Show n.p). Basically, after waking up, the first thing to do should as the show suggests going to the bathroom to take a shower and having a body cleanup which includes brushing the teeth. The short film also prepares young girls to accept the adult world by showing how they should dress up their kids after finishing the morning cleanup. By this, young girls learn the aspect of dressing up for their own and others (Heljakka 135). Young girls are being taught that in future when they become parents, they will have to dress their own and also be responsible for dressing their children.

The short film also prepares young girls ready for adult life, which involves cooking food for the little ones. The aspect of preparing food teaches the young girls that a house should also have the required utensils and different types of food to cater for family dietary needs. When the mommy is making juice using a blender for the baby, this scenery teaches young kids of how juice is made using fruits (Kids Diana Show n.p). The kids grow up learning how to prepare juice for others and in future as they grow up, they can do this practically with much ease for themselves and others. The film prepares kids to accept the adult world by showing them how they should take care of the young ones. Taking care of small children involves carrying them out to take a walk and taking them to play outside. The show, 'Diana Little Mommy for Baby doll Emili' teaches young children to accept motherly responsibilities by looking after their young ones and ensuring their needs are met (Heljakka 137). By watching this show, children are prepared for the adult world as they are made to know the basic requirements for their future kids which including carrying packed lunch for them as they go out to play (Kids Diana Show n.p). Young girls learn the aspect of motherhood; hence, they can grow knowing what it entails to look after children. Young girls watching this film and practicing its content know they will be mothers in future thus get to learn what is required of them.

The show 'Diana Little Mommy for Baby doll Emili' teaches young girls about the parenthood responsibilities that comes with adulating. Children learn that parenthood is a matter of responsibilities towards children that involves looking after them and ensuring their needs are met. With becoming a parent, one has to wake up very early in the morning and start preparing the kids for a new day. Alternatively, this show teaches children that parenthood is a matter of dedication. Children learn that parents have to dedicate their lives to ensure the wellbeing of the younger ones by providing the basic needs are met, including food and play (Winnicott 18). Moreover, this show teaches children of parenthood love and how parents express love to their children. Children watching this are hence able to grow to show respect not only to their parents but also to their younger and older siblings.

In growing with the parenthood idea, children can be in an excellent position to look after their younger ones in their parents' absentia. Additionally, children learn that becoming a parent involves working hard to get money meant to buy clothes and food for the young ones. Children learn that becoming adults is a matter of taking family responsibilities. The the film in this case prepares the young girls for house-keeping roles to prepare for future duties as a mother. Children are being taught to know the necessary house chores which including cleaning and cooking. Such basic tasks are essential for every adult as a means of survival to ensure healthy living for an entire family (Winnicott, 42). The use of dolls in this short film encourages conformity of young girls into motherly adulthood that includes taking care of their children. In future, the young girls will be parents to their children hence they are equipped with knowledge that they should be well prepared not only to provide for their children but also creating a better environment for them to grow.

According to Barthes, toys are a microcosm representation of the adult world and condition young children to future roles and responsibilities. Taking a look at the 'Diana Little Mommy for Baby doll Emili' film, it takes a gender perspective. The show directed on the roles that should be played by female parents in a family. The toy show is based on the principle of imitation that is meant at producing children who are users. By imitating what is in the film, children end up practicing what they see later in their lives. From young ages, children learn the type of toys they should play with and how these toys should prepare them for the adult world and conforming to particular standards set by society. The show 'Diana Little Mommy for Baby doll Emili' hence prepares young girls to be good mothers.

Works Cited

Kids Diana Show." Diana Little Mommy for Baby Doll Emili." YouTube, Kids Diana Show, 12 Feb. 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0hS7WD3cY8.

Heljakka, Katriina. "Toys as tools for skill-building and creativity in adult life." Seminar. Net. Vol. 11. No. 2. 2015.

Winnicott, Donald Woods. Playing and reality. Routledge, 2012.