Citation

Man, Nurafiq Inani and Mohamad Nawi, Nul Widaya (2025) To empower or not: The 2023 Barbie movie’s impact on feminist perceptions among young women. SEARCH Journal of Media and Communication Research, 17 (5). pp. 101-116. ISSN 2672-7080

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Abstract

The 2023 Barbie movie has sparked widespread discussion on feminism and empowerment, challenging traditional gender roles and promoting modern ideals. This research examines how the female empowerment narrative and themes in the 2023 Barbie movie impact young Malaysian women’s perceptions of empowerment. Expanding on Ahmad’s (2020) analysis of positive Barbie portrayals, this study addresses the gap in research concerning the film’s impact on Malaysian audiences. It also investigates how cultural and societal factors affect the reception of the movie’s feminist messages. Using a qualitative approach, 15 young Malaysian women participated in focus group discussions to explore their lived experiences. Findings reveal that the movie reinforced feminist ideals by challenging stereotypes, though its impact was facilitated by cultural context. Participants appreciated its diverse representation but critiqued its limited inclusivity (e.g., body diversity). The study highlights the need for culturally nuanced feminist media to resonate with non-Western audiences. Nevertheless, the movie’s messages of empowerment and breaking gender norms were particularly well received by the participants

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Young women
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Criminology
Divisions:	Faculty of Applied Communication (FAC)
Depositing User:	Ms Rosnani Abd Wahab
Date Deposited:	29 Jul 2025 06:20
Last Modified:	01 Aug 2025 04:35
URII:	http://shdl.mmu.edu.my/id/eprint/14398

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