Is there an evolutionary explanation for the likes of Barbie and Hello Kitty?
Saturated in pink and sparkles, the Barbie movie is full of ribbons and hearts, gingham and polka dots: a universe of cuteness. And yet, according to the internet at least, the most adorable thing in the film is not the eponymous heroine but her consort, Ken. Margot Robbie’s Barbie may be glamorous, but Ryan Gosling’s Ken is cute – quite an accomplishment for a man-baby intent on imposing patriarchy on Barbie Land.
Scientists have been studying the nature of cuteness for decades. It’s now widely accepted that we are hardwired to both look and act cute when we’re very young and to respond to cuteness ourselves. When kids are cute, women and men alike pay attention to them and care for them, which not only helps children to survive but also to learn how to communicate and cooperate.
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