G.I. Joe

The first article by Pope, Olivardia, Gruber and Borowieki is an article that shows the negative views of male action figures. This article talks about how the male action figure has evolved over time in many ways. The action figure's height has decreased then increased and so-on. Another major change in male action figures over time is their muscle physiques. The article also talks about how the action figures influence bad habits in young boys and men. There are explanations in some muscle and eating disorders that can result in young men and boys because of the big muscles and abs on the action figures. Some men could possibly develop bad habits in abusing anabolic steriods because they want to look like the action figures. So basically this articles says that the view of male action figures is a bad influence on young boys.
The second article by Franke-Folstad talks about how the biceps and muscular physique of the G.I. Joe action figure is not that big of a deal. This article also talks about how the Barbie by Mattel has been subject to criticism because it displays the wrong message to girls. This author believes that men and boys have always wanted to bulk up no matter what. He believes that an action figure is not going to make young men and boys develop eating disorders and abuse of anabolic steroids. He believes that people in the media today such as Mark McGwire and wrestlers will have a more negative effect because they are real people and not action figures.

The tone of the first article somewhat casual and somewhat formal. This article is very powerful in presenting its argument. This article contains charts and citations within the text. By this article containing citations and charts/tables it makes it more respectable and believable that the authors know what they are talking about. Table one is an example because it contains the measurements of the male action figures. This shows that authors did their research before taking a stance on something. The tone of the second article is causal and a little bit sarcastic. This article doesn't have any charts or citations within the text, so the information presented in this article could be disputed. The sarcastic tone is seen in the line, "And now it turns out that good old G.I. Joe has been subjected to the same silly poking and probing, the same plastic-to-flesh measurement comparisons and similarly ugly allegations that he's encouraging young boys to seek an artificially enhanced physique.

I was given Barbie dolls and baby dolls as a young child because I was a girl. I was exposed to male action figures and toys that were "meant" for boys because I have an older brother and all boy cousins. My reaction goes along with both articles. I do believe that action figures could possibly have a bad effect on young boys because they are so muscular and young boys might believe that is how they are supposed to look. I also do believe that people in the media today also could have a negative influence on young boys as well, as stated in article two. It shows that athletes abuse steroids to become muscular and action figures are muscular. This could lead to the conclusion that using steroids is a must to become muscular.