Girl Scouts and Barbie Dolls

(Barbie Doll HQ, USA)

Barbie, finds herself in controversy once again, this time over a business partnership between her manufacturer, Mattel, and the Girl Scouts.

Two consumer advocacy groups often critical of corporate advertising tactics - the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood and the Center for a New American Dream - criticized Barbie as a flawed role model for little girls and launched a petition drive urging the Girl Scouts of the USA to end the partnership. The Girls Scouts said they would not do so.

Just a few weeks ago, Mattel incurred widespread criticism - as well as some accolades - for letting Barbie be featured in Sports Illustrated's annual swimsuit edition.

The Girl Scouts' partnership with Mattel, announced last August, includes a Barbie-themed activity book, a website, and a Barbie participation patch - the first Girl Scout uniform patch with corporate sponsorship.

The Barbie patch allegedly makes Girl Scouts into walking advertisements.