Ironically, many Barbie collectors say it’s because they weren’t allowed to have a Barbie when they were growing up that they became involved in collecting. Did you play with Barbies as a child, or did you shave off all her hair in a fit of protest? Were you allowed to have Barbies, or did your parents forbid you to play with “that” doll?
I remember having a generic “baby” doll that I named Susan. I played with her until my first sibling (a boy) was born when I was in first grade. My second and third brothers followed a year apart, so I had “real” babies to take care of!
My parents wouldn’t have minded buying me a Barbie doll, but I was much more interested in my brothers and cards / board games.
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I was part of the Barbie generation. I had a Barbie and all of my friends had Barbie’s. My parents did not have a lot of money so I never had the Dream House or the Car etc.
I so value the diversity of the current Barbie, with various looks and occupations. That was not us!
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The Barbie doll phenomenon started after I was realistically too old to play with dolls. I did get one giant doll from my aunt and uncle on one Christmas but it just freaked me out. I grew up with two brothers and a neighborhood full of boys, so riding bikes, climbing trees, playing sports in the nearby field and park took up most of my time. I think it’s very interesting how the Barbie dolls have become a cultural phenomenon and perhaps always were but possibly we didn’t realize it at the time? I have a friend who was dramatically and emotionally affected by the recent Barbie movie–in a very positive way. I am so very thankful that there is something out there for each and every one of us to resonate with, to enjoy, and through which to see ourselves more clearly.
Speaking of books. . . 
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Barbies were a huge part of my childhood. I didn’t know some children were forbidden to have a Barbie! Looks like things may be going back in that direction! 
As Dee mentioned, seeing and having the diversity of Barbie now is refreshing and so important for ALL children and ALL families.
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Barbie dolls were a huge part of my childhood. I looked forward to Christmas, my birthday and any other holiday hoping I would receive one as a gift. Whenever I was able to put some money together, I purchased a piece of clothing. And I never cut their hair off. That was unimaginable for me. I received so many over the years… if only I had collected them and had those Barbies now. $$
I did grow up with Barbie dolls. At one time, I played with them, and later on collected some of them. The costumes were gorgeous.
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I did play with Barbies. Still have my first one and im 73. I dont remember any scuttlebutt or issues around having her and playing with her.
I inherited my first Barbie and Ken from my older cousin. Until that point, I don’t recall ever wanting one and I had no idea of any controversy around them. I eventually got a new Barbie and Dream Camper but I don’t recall playing with them any more than my other toys. Playing dress up or dressing up my Barbies was not overly engaging to me…I was a STEM girl before it was a “thing.”
I did have a Barbie. I was around 5 - 1968 of 1969. I had one doll and no excess outfits. I rember cutting her hair - not out of rebellion - more as a young child’s misguided attempt to style it. While I would have loved more Barbie stuff, my Mom would not buy it. She thought it was a waste of money - she wasn’t sure what one did with a Barbie, I think and would rather see me playing outside or reading.
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People kept gifting me Barbies when I was young but I never played with them. I just had no interest at all. I was much more excited about toys that allowed me to build things, but sadly those were few and far between.
My all-time favorite toy was a military truck that had some sort of spring mechanism, so when you rolled it backwards it wound the spring and cocked a missile that was on the top. You let it go and the vehicle sprang forward and launched the rocket. It was so cool! It also had four different sirens. It mysteriously disappeared after I kept firing the rocket at my sister. 
I also had a cap gun I really liked.
I had several Barbies and a Skipper as well. My sister had one of the original dolls, though not valuable today. I never even thought of cutting their hair off! I wasn’t interested in playing with baby dolls and don’t think I even owned one. At the time, I went to a Catholic school and had to wear a uniform, so I really enjoyed changing Barbie’s clothes!
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I didn’t have a Barbie but I did have a Skipper doll. My older sister made many different outfits for her. I’m not sure if my parents were skeptical of Barbie and that’s why I ended up with Skipper… Most of my friends had Barbie and all the accessories.
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I grew up having Barbie dolls. My mom would sew and crochet little outfits for me. We couldn’t afford to buy new outfits. When I think about the time she spent on those outfits I realize how blessed I was.
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I was allowed to have Barbie or "look alike’ dolls. I sewed and created clothes for all the dolls.
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I was too old to have Barbies. I was also the oldest child in a large family and we didn’t have money for something like Barbie if she would have been available then, nor would my mother have allowed them; she would have been offended calling such a shameful creation a “doll”. However, my daughter (born in 1973) loved her Barbies – and I never expected that, her being so independent. But we moved several times in the military when she was young, and I suspect her Barbies were the one friend she could count on not to change.
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I related to Ruth when she described her unlikely desire to play with a Barbie doll if she had one as a child. I received a Barbie doll as a gift around 1968. Like Ruth, I would rather have been building car models or playing with my brother’s Lincoln Logs and Hot Wheels. The most fun I had with Barbie was changing her outfits. Eventually and sadly for my Barbie, I cut her blond locks off, stored her in my closet, and moved on to playing sports.
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I got my first (and only) Barbie the first year they came out. All of my friends had a Barbie under their tree that Christmas. We were too old to play with baby dolls but Barbies were different. We spent a lot of time dressing her and combing her hair while we made up stories about her life
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I grew up next door to my cousins who were a few years younger. We played with Barbies but had homemade outfits along with store bought. I believe my cousins played more with the dolls as I was more of a tomboy climbing trees and playing in our backyard woods
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I had a Barbie but didn’t play with her much. My mother was fine with it. When I was growing up, all little girls had Barbies. It was a different time than it is now.
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