The expression “Beauty is only apparent” does not seem to apply to this era of idealism and perfectionism. From birth to adulthood, babies are raised to conform to specific social roles. Specifically, little girls should grow up to become perfect feminine beauties created to bear children and take care of their homes and husbands. “Barbie-Q” by Sandra Cisnero and “Barbie Doll” by Marge Piercy depict the female body and gender roles through the standards imposed by society which is that of flawless physical beauty; just like the Barbie doll; perfect figure, hair, nails and face and ready to adhere to the expected roles of bearing children, caring for her husband and doing household chores. Throughout their work, in addition to criticizing "the way women are socialized into stereotypical feminine behavior" (Preview: "Barbie Doll"), Cisnero and Piercy argue that there is no escaping these ideals and that they are very destructive. Piercy and Cisneros cleverly use the titles of their respective works to draw attention to the underlying critiques. Speaking of Barbie, what comes to mind is girls' favorite toy doll, manufactured by the American company Mattel Inc, which "is white, physically attractive, not poor, heterosexual, popular, fashionable and forever young " (Romo 127). . But it is not just a toy, it is also a symbol of ideal female beauty and the role associated with it in society. Using the Barbie doll as the title of her story, Piercy draws her readers' attention to "this cultural icon of femininity which carries with it complex associations of ideal beauty and desirability" (Wart). Furthermore, “the apt title given to the poem points to the central and controlling milieu of the paper… changing their identity to please their society and becoming something they are not. Works CitedCisneros, Sandra "Barbie-Q." Portable Legacies. Ed. Jan Zlotnik Schmidt and Lynne Crockett, 2013. Print. "Preview: 'Barbie Doll'." 9. Detroit: Gale Group (2000): Information Resource Center. February 28, 2014. Piercy, Marge “Barbie Doll” Ed. Jan Zlotnik Schmidth and Lynne Crockette Boston, 2013. . Print.Romo, Leticia I. ““Barbie-Q” by Sandra Cisneros: a subversive or hegemonic popular text? » Studies in Latin American Popular Culture 24 (2005: 127-137) Web. 2014. Wart, Alice Van. "'Barbie Doll' preview." Poetry for Students Ed. Ira Mark Milne Vol. 9. Detroit: Gale Group (2000): Literary Resource Center.. 2014.