The Game All Girls Love to Play!

In 1961, toymaker Transogram created a new game called “Miss Popularity.” This game was one of the most famous of its time. Quite obviously geared towards young girls, players competed to see who could win the most votes from the four judges (3 of them were male!) So how do you earn the points? Well points were awarded to the girl with the best legs, the best figure, the best voice, and the best “type.” And, the lucky girl with the most votes won the “Loving Cup!” So fitting…I mean who could love an ‘unpopular’ girl anyways, right?

Although 1961 was a long time ago, I feel like things haven’t really changed that much at all. Today, this game just represents the constant pressure society places on women to be ‘feminine.’ Unfortunately however, there is only one way our society defines feminine. A feminine woman is beautiful, gentle, nurturing and submissive to their husbands. A woman who didn’t fit into any of those categories is alienated because she is not ‘normal.’

It doesn’t make sense to me that people cannot accept all types of beauty…beauty in forms of different races, ages or body types. Why is it that men and women are so attracted and fascinated by the girl with the “nice legs” or the “best figure?” Why is it that we work so hard to fit into that image, and then feel so worthless when we realize it is a nearly impossible task to accomplish? The only reason we obsess over this ‘type’ of girl is because our society has drilled it into our head that that is what is beautiful. I think we should all be aware of the way our society brainwashes us and challenge the system so we can FINALLY make a real change.