Neither work! Who knew?
Well, actually, there is no real documented history showing that matriarchy does or doesn't work, but examining human nature, American society being that much controlled by a patriarchy and seeing thus how it has failed overall, one can conjecture that matriarchy would suffer a similar fate. It may seem desire as women-kind to imagine a world where the 'female', by birth or not, has the fullness of power. Yet, looking through the lens of psychology on humanity's propensity to be overwhelmed by its own weakness, coupled with the myriad of such literature and quotations that depict, 'absolute power corrupts absolutely', it does not seem a far leap of assumption.
The origin story of Barbie explains why the movie depicted BarbieLand as such. Barbie was invented by Ruth Handler in 1959, after she witnessed her daughter, Barbara, using her imaginary play-time by having her paper dolls act out how she envisioned the adult world. Ruth noticed that much of the toys for girls at the time were baby dolls and infants. Speaking to her husband, Eliot, the founder of Mattel, she addressed this concern and her desire to see a doll that reflected this play in her daughter and other children's creative minds. After a trip to Germany, where she encountered the Lilli dolls who bore a resemblance to her vision, she created the first design of her vision. Ruth's dream for Barbie was that little girls would know that 'woman have choices' and that through the play with Barbie, 'a little girl could be anything she wanted to be', and Mattel's creation of the vastness of types of Barbie and her employment opportunities were a testament to that hope. The hundreds of jobs that Barbie has held, from fashion model to doctor to even the president, it is no wonder that the fictional world of BarbieLand becomes a world run entirely by women, with women the dominant force of society. Thus, the matriarchal rule and high favorability of the feminine over the masculine is the central theme of the Barbie movie.
Yet Barbie's venture into the 'real world' is brought about in her relationship with Weird Barbie, which leads to her encounter not just with the real world's feelings on her, her exposure to a world run and influenced by the patriarchy, she also meets Greenblatt's "Sasha" who overwhelms with the contemporary feminist notion of "Barbie" as being a capitalist sex symbol meant to keep women in a submissive place. As much as Ken finds false empowerment by the reality of patriarchy, Barbie is both overwhelmed by such toxicity and that of Sasha's words, however, the true beauty of all that encompasses humanity enchants Barbie.
Upon Barbie's return to BarbieLand, she is confronted by the changes made by Ken's decision to take back his power in a way that devalues another, showing once again that one abused can surely become an abuser. As Barbie takes in the changes, seeing how what she has once valued has been stripped away, physically and symbolically, she begins to recognize how devaluing another to obtain power is not true authority. As she dwells deeper within herself, she is continually confronted within and without by the discovery of how one's influence can positively and negatively affect others.
As the story reaches its climax, a convergence of both the internal and external becomes apparent. As the Barbies of Barbieland regain power, the viewer hopes they have learned the lesson that one ruling above another is not beneficial for a whole, yet sadly this is not the case. As Ken realizes that his seeking power for himself and his counterparts has not led to finding satisfaction, through Barbie's reconciliation, he realizes that true fulfillment is found within, thus his quest becomes one of feeling 'Kenough'. With others finding a resolution of sorts, Barbie is left with more questions within, leading to her desire to make her own way. This realization guides her way from the prescribed destiny of others to making her own way.
The film ends with questions unanswered. Why didn't the Barbies recognize their enforced inequality? Why can't Barbie love Ken but also be true to herself? What will become of Ken in his journey to be 'Kenough'? Finally, though, the theme of the film is that life is not the perfection of make-believe, nor can it be controlled or easily defined, but the journey of life, of finding and being true to oneself, of the fullness of love, is messy yet truly beautiful. As Barbie ventures into her new, self-created, life, the audience is left with yet unanswered questions fueling a debate of human nature, art once again holding a mirror up to society insisting on change. (One can only rest in the belief that Barbie creator, Ruth, would be pleased.)
I used to float, now I just fall downI used to know, but I'm not sure nowWhat I was made forWhat was I made for?Takin' a drive, I was an idealLooked so alive, turns out, I'm not realJust something you paid forWhat was I made for?
'Cause I, II don't know how to feelBut I wanna tryI don't know how to feelBut someday I mightSomeday I might
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