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Barbie Manufacturer Launches A Gender Neutral Doll Collection ‘Free Of Labels’

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This doll can be a boy, a girl, neither, or both. Mattel, the same company that created Barbie dolls, calls it the world’s first gender-neutral doll and hopes to redefine who gets to play with what, erasing the traditional taboos and gender roles.

“Kids’ toys are a reflection of culture and as the world continues to celebrate the positive impact of inclusivity, we felt it was time to create a realistic doll line free of labels,” Kim Culmone, Senior Vice President of Mattel Fashion Doll Design said.

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Barbie Manufacturer Launches A Gender Neutral Doll Collection 'Free Of Labels'

Image credits: Mattel

Barbie Manufacturer Launches A Gender Neutral Doll Collection 'Free Of Labels'

Image credits: Mattel

Barbie Manufacturer Launches A Gender Neutral Doll Collection 'Free Of Labels'

Image credits: Mattel

Barbie Manufacturer Launches A Gender Neutral Doll Collection 'Free Of Labels'

Image credits: Mattel

Barbie Manufacturer Launches A Gender Neutral Doll Collection 'Free Of Labels'

Image credits: Mattel

Barbie Manufacturer Launches A Gender Neutral Doll Collection 'Free Of Labels'

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Image credits: Mattel

Barbie Manufacturer Launches A Gender Neutral Doll Collection 'Free Of Labels'

ADVERTISEMENT

Image credits: Mattel

Barbie Manufacturer Launches A Gender Neutral Doll Collection 'Free Of Labels'

Image credits: Mattel

Barbie Manufacturer Launches A Gender Neutral Doll Collection 'Free Of Labels'

Image credits: Mattel

Barbie Manufacturer Launches A Gender Neutral Doll Collection 'Free Of Labels'

Image credits: Mattel

The versatile new dolls are available in a variety of skin tones. They can be styled with a long-haired wig and dressed in pants, a skirt, or shorts, as well as three different styles of shoes, sunglasses, and other accessories. Like TIME noted, the 11-inch dolls’ “lips are not too full, the eyelashes not too long and fluttery, the jaw not too wide. There are no Barbie-like breasts or broad, Ken-like shoulders,” the magazine said.

Barbie Manufacturer Launches A Gender Neutral Doll Collection 'Free Of Labels'

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Image credits: Mattel

Barbie Manufacturer Launches A Gender Neutral Doll Collection 'Free Of Labels'

Image credits: Mattel

For quite some time, millennial parents have pushed back against gender stereotypes in toy. And major sellers have been listening. Their buying habits already influenced Disney banish “boys” and “girls” labels from its children’s costumes, inviting girls to dress as Captain America and boys as Belle. Last year, Mattel also did away with “boys” and “girls” toy divisions, replacing them with non-gendered sections, for example, dolls or cars.

Barbie Manufacturer Launches A Gender Neutral Doll Collection 'Free Of Labels'

Image credits: Mattel

Barbie Manufacturer Launches A Gender Neutral Doll Collection 'Free Of Labels'

Image credits: Mattel

Barbie Manufacturer Launches A Gender Neutral Doll Collection 'Free Of Labels'

Image credits: Mattel

Barbie Manufacturer Launches A Gender Neutral Doll Collection 'Free Of Labels'

ADVERTISEMENT

Image credits: Mattel

These dolls should sell $29.99 a pop, with the slogan “A doll line designed to keep labels out and invite everyone in.” With this move, the company is betting on where it thinks the country is going, even if it means alienating a substantial portion of their buyers. According to a Pew Research survey, while 76% of the public supports parents’ steering girls to toys and activities traditionally associated with boys, only 64% endorse steering boys toward toys and activities associated with girls.

Mindaugas Balčiauskas

I'm a visual editor at Bored Panda. I kickstart my day with a mug of coffee bigger than my head, ready to tackle Photoshop. I navigate through the digital jungle with finesse, fueled by bamboo breaks and caffeine kicks. When the workday winds down, you might catch me devouring bamboo snacks while binging on the latest TV show, gaming or I could be out in nature, soaking up the tranquility and communing with my inner panda.

I'm a visual editor at Bored Panda. I kickstart my day with a mug of coffee bigger than my head, ready to tackle Photoshop. I navigate through the digital jungle with finesse, fueled by bamboo breaks and caffeine kicks. When the workday winds down, you might catch me devouring bamboo snacks while binging on the latest TV show, gaming or I could be out in nature, soaking up the tranquility and communing with my inner panda.

Rokas Laurinavičius

Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 300 million people have read the posts he's written, which is probably more than he could count to.

Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 300 million people have read the posts he's written, which is probably more than he could count to.

What do you think ?

Harrison Rose 5 years ago

this isn't supposed to be a political statement, it's just a doll that gives kids more ways to play, more characters to make. nowhere does it say that children are being encouraged to change genders, some people look at an article with the word "gender" in it and write an angry comment about how western civilization is being destroyed because of all the evil transgenders influencing children!!!! or something like that. no, it's a doll that is giving children a CHOICE of what they want to dress their doll up or play with, if you think it's supposed to be malicious, take a break from the internet.

129points

Josefine Andersen 5 years ago

I grew up never been held to any girl story type. where I was allowed to do girl stuff and boy stuff. did it make me wanna change gender no. it made me think there isn't really a difference

68points

Load More Replies...

kAiTLyN 5 years ago

Yes! Toys should never be linked to gender. Children just want to have fun, and if they discover something about themselves in the process, then thats a bonus!! that doesnt mean strictly label all toys and limit their childhood.

13points

Jeff Requier 5 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

1point

𝓴𝓪𝔀𝓪𝓲𝓲_𝓐𝓾𝓭𝓻𝓮𝔂 💖 4 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

0points

Karen Klinck 4 years ago

I wish someone *would* destroy parts of Western civilization. I thought we outgrew nasty religion and its mores, but evidently not.

0points

Bruce Brown 5 years ago

Does it come with a snap on penis?

-2points

Non Ducor Duco 5 years ago

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John Smith 5 years ago

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Mark CM 5 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Keuthonymos 5 years ago

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Barb Daniels 5 years ago

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MRK 5 years ago

I really love the way it's a child's toy with a child's body. It looks like a little kid. No big boobs, or broad shoulders. Never understood the over-sexed look of Barbie to begin with.

91points

marmitejim 5 years ago

It's a 50s thing, modeled on a real woman rather than a kid..... I'm guessing it was all fellas in the design 'team' and boardroom.

22points

Load More Replies...

Monilip 5 years ago

Bardie is adult woman, not child. That's why whe looks like adult woman with breast and all. Plus it was based on doll for adults so there it is. But she is grown woman, that's why she looks like one.

2points

Karen Klinck 5 years ago

Barbie was never aimed at the kids. She was aimed at the adult who bought toys for kids.

2points

Amazon QT 5 years ago

When Barbie was created in the 50s the curvy woman was all over, especially in Hollywood (where the creator of Barbie got her inspection from) hence the big boobs, tiny waist, thin long legs, etc. But nowadays those attributes are not as important to society and having a doll reflect something other than a “curvy woman” is t the norm.

2points

HADEZ 5 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

All & Some 5 years ago

I love this. I love the idea that a doll can be so versatile, that kids can create a toy that reflects them or their friends and not have to worry about if it's a toy coded for girls or boys. Forget the gender neutral aspect of it for a minute and remember it's a toy for kids who are generally not as aware of or hung up on ideas of gender or sexuality as their adult caretakers may be. This is a toy they can mod and play with to better reflect themselves or what their current likes are. I think it's an awesome idea.

42points

Bruce Brown 5 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

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Harrison Rose 5 years ago

this isn't supposed to be a political statement, it's just a doll that gives kids more ways to play, more characters to make. nowhere does it say that children are being encouraged to change genders, some people look at an article with the word "gender" in it and write an angry comment about how western civilization is being destroyed because of all the evil transgenders influencing children!!!! or something like that. no, it's a doll that is giving children a CHOICE of what they want to dress their doll up or play with, if you think it's supposed to be malicious, take a break from the internet.

129points

Josefine Andersen 5 years ago

I grew up never been held to any girl story type. where I was allowed to do girl stuff and boy stuff. did it make me wanna change gender no. it made me think there isn't really a difference

68points

Load More Replies...

kAiTLyN 5 years ago

Yes! Toys should never be linked to gender. Children just want to have fun, and if they discover something about themselves in the process, then thats a bonus!! that doesnt mean strictly label all toys and limit their childhood.

13points

Jeff Requier 5 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

1point

𝓴𝓪𝔀𝓪𝓲𝓲_𝓐𝓾𝓭𝓻𝓮𝔂 💖 4 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

0points

Karen Klinck 4 years ago

I wish someone *would* destroy parts of Western civilization. I thought we outgrew nasty religion and its mores, but evidently not.

0points

Bruce Brown 5 years ago

Does it come with a snap on penis?

-2points

Non Ducor Duco 5 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

John Smith 5 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Mark CM 5 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Keuthonymos 5 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Barb Daniels 5 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

MRK 5 years ago

I really love the way it's a child's toy with a child's body. It looks like a little kid. No big boobs, or broad shoulders. Never understood the over-sexed look of Barbie to begin with.

91points

marmitejim 5 years ago

It's a 50s thing, modeled on a real woman rather than a kid..... I'm guessing it was all fellas in the design 'team' and boardroom.

22points

Load More Replies...

Monilip 5 years ago

Bardie is adult woman, not child. That's why whe looks like adult woman with breast and all. Plus it was based on doll for adults so there it is. But she is grown woman, that's why she looks like one.

2points

Karen Klinck 5 years ago

Barbie was never aimed at the kids. She was aimed at the adult who bought toys for kids.

2points

Amazon QT 5 years ago

When Barbie was created in the 50s the curvy woman was all over, especially in Hollywood (where the creator of Barbie got her inspection from) hence the big boobs, tiny waist, thin long legs, etc. But nowadays those attributes are not as important to society and having a doll reflect something other than a “curvy woman” is t the norm.

2points

HADEZ 5 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

All & Some 5 years ago

I love this. I love the idea that a doll can be so versatile, that kids can create a toy that reflects them or their friends and not have to worry about if it's a toy coded for girls or boys. Forget the gender neutral aspect of it for a minute and remember it's a toy for kids who are generally not as aware of or hung up on ideas of gender or sexuality as their adult caretakers may be. This is a toy they can mod and play with to better reflect themselves or what their current likes are. I think it's an awesome idea.

42points

Bruce Brown 5 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Load More Replies...

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