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Together again

Barbie and Ken have reconciled. (For those of you out of the loop, they broke up two years ago.) But will this relationship last? And should it?

By JOHN BARRY
Published March 2, 2006

	[Times photo: Patty Yablonski]
	The Mattel family is complete once again, now that Ken is back in the fold, with Barbie and young Kelly. Mattel markets Kelly as Barbie’s sister, but some kids believe Kelly is the couple’s daughter.

This Ken business, it's not good. Toymaker Mattel says Ken and Barbie are getting back together. They parted ways two years ago, and Barbie rebounded with Blaine, an Australian surfer, but that didn't last either. Barbie went on to become a presidential candidate and a Canadian Mountie. Ken wandered off to the Middle East, where he studied Buddhism and learned to cook. Now he wears cargo pants and carries a purse. Barbie's taking him back. That's Mattel's story.

Girls and boys, it seems, see it differently. Four fifth-graders from St. Paul's School in Clearwater were asked to ponder the return of Ken, Buddhism and its Four Noble Truths, and what is really good for Barbie. They were Andy Fullerton and Adeline Tungate, both 11, and Allie Hobson and Hannah Roper, both 10.

Their story, which sounds like a mix of Desperate Housewives and Dr. Phil, may cause a sleepless night or two among those who love Barbie. This Ken business, it's just not good. Not good at all.

I didn't even know that Barbie and Ken had broken up. Did you know that?

Adeline: My mom was reading the papers and I heard her tell my grandma that they'd broken up. It was kind of weird. They'd been together so long.

Allie: I always sort of knew they would break up.

How'd you know that?

Allie: Ken always went to the beach. Barbie had to take care of Kelly.

Who's Kelly?

Allie: Their child.

Adeline: Wasn't Barbie married to Ken? I think they're divorced.

They were married? They had a baby? And now they're divorced?

Hannah: It's kind of shocking.

Andy: My dad has a Ken doll. Ken was married to Barbie. They had a little kid. My dad's name is Ken, too. My friend Robbie, his mom gave my dad a Ken doll as a joke. He has it sitting on his exercise bike.

Wait a minute. I just can't believe what you're saying. Barbie is a single mom?

Hannah: Barbie has to take care of Kelly.

And she was dating Blaine?

Adeline: He's kind of cute.

Allie: He's tanner than the regular boys. Because he's a surfer.

Where was Ken all this time?

Adeline: I think he was dating Barbie's best friend, Nadine, or something.

Hannah: She was the girl who went to bars and drank margaritas.

She went to bars and drank?

Hannah: Not bars. She was a party girl.

Well, you know, Barbie's getting back together with Ken now.

Allie: No!

Ken has come back from the Middle East. He's a Buddhist.

Andy: Buddhism is very peaceful.

Adeline: They believe you can come back in a different form. My brother did a paper on Buddhism. He keeps talking and talking about it.

Allie: I like Buddha. You're supposed to rub his stomach for good luck. My sister has one on her bookcase. I've rubbed it.

Adeline: Where I get my nails done there's a Buddha on the floor. They give it flowers.

Somehow I forgot all about Ken. Are you glad he's back?

Allie: Maybe now he knows what Barbie wants.

Hannah: Barbie wouldn't go for that, a new Ken, all peaceful and everything.

Adeline: I think it's a bad example for Kelly for Barbie to get divorced, then have a new boyfriend, then break up.

Allie: Too many relationships.

Hannah: Wait till Kelly's older. She's like 4. She doesn't understand why guys come and go.

Allie: Kelly doesn't know any of this stuff.

Andy: If I were Barbie, God forbid, I would lay off for a while till I figured out what I want.

Do you still play with Barbie?

Adeline: I do occasionally.

Hannah: My mom gave mine away in a garage sale. I had 15. I kept two. I play with Polly Pockets. She's a miniature Barbie, basically.

Allie: I have a little sister, Caroline. She's 7. She plays with them.

Adeline: Maybe on a rainy day, I'll play with Barbie if I can't find my Polly Pockets.

Allie: All my Ken dolls, their heads fell off.

Adeline: I have a Ken doll. My dog bit his hand off. But he's still usable.

John Barry can be reached at 727-892-2258 or at jbarry@sptimes.com.

[Last modified March 1, 2006, 14:05:18]