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Barbie Manufacturer Launches A Gender Neutral Doll Collection ‘Free Of Labels’
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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Image credits: Mattel
Image credits: Mattel
Image credits: Mattel
Image credits: Mattel
Image credits: Mattel
Image credits: Mattel
Image credits: Mattel
Image credits: Mattel
Image credits: Mattel
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.
Image credits: Mattel
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.
Image credits: Mattel
Image credits: Mattel
Image credits: Mattel
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.
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.
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
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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
Load More Replies... 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.
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.
Load More Replies... 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.
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