Late last week when I saw the Time magazine article announcing that “Barbie’s Got a New Body” I was thrilled. With all the attention that has been brought to the issue of the high beauty standards women are held to in this day and age, it was exciting to see such huge step forward in acknowledging female diversity.

The excitement didn’t last long though, as I scrolled through the article and realized that there were only three new body types unveiled, and they were all quite similar in the grand scheme of things. Though the dolls did vary in their heigth and width, they all retained the characteristics of completely flat stomachs and slender arms and legs. I soon realized that the new Barbies were not as inclusive as I, and many others, had hoped.

The company who makes Barbie had decided to create the new body types (tall, petite and curvy) after sales dropped the past couple of years in response to new dolls such as ones made of Elsa from Frozen. In my opinion, the drop in sales was probably also a response to the newest, youngest generation of parents, who are members of a new age of social awareness.

In addition to the three new body types, Barbie is also now available in seven new skin tones, 22 eye colors and 24 hairstyles. The diversity made possible just through skin tone, eye color and hairstyle will be a remarkable feat in the world of female children’s toys, but what I’m wondering, is why couldn’t this same type of variation be available in Barbie’s body type? Do we really believe that all women come in only four sizes?

Regardless of what Barbie is saying, this is not true. Personally, my mom told me from a young age that “everyone comes in different shapes and sizes.” As I’ve grown up, I’ve seen this to be true. There’s no way that every woman in existence could be classified into simply tall, petite or curvy.

I believe it is important for us to let our young girls know from a young age that no matter how you look, there’s nothing to be ashamed of. Children should not go through their young lives wondering why their body types aren’t acknowledged by the media. Representation is important, especially for a demographic that has certain image expectations forced upon them from a young age.

While I do appreciate the efforts made by the designers of Barbie, I would like to see other Barbie available in many more shapes on the shelves in the next couple of years. It would be nice to have as many variations in that department as the ones available for eye color and hairstyle.

My hope is that in the future, Barbie, among other companies and media outlets, can continue to reform their image and goals until we have an entirely inclusive society in which everyone can feel safe, happy and represented just by being themselves.