

Society is soooooo warped. It’s always something. First Barbie was teaching little girls how to play house before they even hit puberty and then having the Ken doll was supposed to persuade them to have a boyfriend, as they practiced out scolding dialog on the doll. Then she was nudged to crave a car and a house in Maibu, which Ken was urged to buy for her. Now a Sugar Daddy Ken doll? Thankfully I have no little children and if I did, this would be totally off limits. Yes, I get it, it’s just a doll and they mention something about “Sugar” being his dog (which I don’t believe) BUT I think the best Barbie idea I actually gelled with was when she had a career. That’s a self-sufficient lesson for all girls in my opinion. Get a job Barbie! And Ken, flip flops and pink leash? I know at least 3 male fashion bloggers who could have designed a better outfit for Ken. Mattel executives should be flogged for this.
This year is Barbie’s 50th anniversary, but lately, it’s been the iconic doll’s companion, Ken, that’s been getting all the attention: A new Ken doll called “Sugar’s Daddy Ken” is prompting snickers for its suggestive-sounding name.
Sugar’s Daddy Ken — known to some as “Sugar Daddy Ken” — is part of a line of Palm Beach dolls by Mattel’s Barbie. Mattel says that the doll’s name refers to Ken’s pet West Highland terrier, Sugar, which is included with the doll. The doll and others in Barbie’s Palm Beach collection are slated to go on sale next year.

In fact, several Web sites refer to the doll, which is due to make its official debut next year, by a slightly different name — “Sugar Daddy Ken.”
Dressed in an ornately-patterned, bright green jacket, pink polo shirt and white pants, the doll is part of toy giant Mattel’s new Palm Beach doll line, which is geared for adult Barbie collectors and supposed to exemplify classic Palm Beach fashion. (For a full picture of Sugar’s Daddy Ken, click here.)
Mattel says the doll’s name is in reference to Ken’s pet — Sugar, a white West Highland terrier that Ken leads on a pink leash. The dog is included with the doll, along with several accessories, including sandals, sunglasses and swim trunks.
Asked about the possibility that the doll’s name may be misinterpreted, a Mattel spokeswoman wasn’t fazed.
“At the end of the day, this collection is targeted toward adults,” said spokeswoman Michelle Chidoni. “While the name of the doll does refer back to the dog, I think people are going to interpret it as they want to interpret it.”