The evergreen Barbie doll toy makers have launched a gender-neutral line of dolls.
The 75-year-old company that introduced Barbie dolls in 1959 decided to take on modern values.
Barbie may have been introduced more than 60 years ago, but it is still loved by all kids, including Gen-Z.
In 2019, the toymaker company Mattel introduced the iconic doll’s gender-fluid line.
“The dolls differ from Mattel’s gendered Barbie and GI Joe dolls in subtle but significant ways. The dolls are a blank slate. No broad shoulders, no full hips, no long lashes. Children of any gender identification are encouraged to play with them,” The Guardian reported.
“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 doll line free of labels,” Mattel said in their statement.
“Through research, we heard that kids don’t want their toys dictated by gender norms. This line allows all kids to express themselves freely.”
The statement continued, “We’re hopeful Creatable World will encourage people to think more broadly about how all kids can benefit from doll play.”
The new collection allows kids to customize their dolls in ways their elders could never imagine before.
The new dolls come with a variety of skin tones and hair extensions, unlike the vintage long-haired blonde and fair-skinned barbies.
The new line has gained popularity among the LGBTQ community as many kids didn’t see their representation in toys before and felt left out. But now they have equal representation.
“So many children and parents never saw themselves represented in toys and dolls, but this new line raises the bar for inclusion thanks to input from parents, physicians, and children themselves,” the community’s advocacy group Glaad wrote on Twitter.
In a statement to Time’s Magazine, Mattel’s president said that their decision to create a new line of Barbie dolls was solely to promote equality in society so that no child feels left out.
“We’re not in the business of politics, and we respect the decision any parent makes around how they raise their kids. Our job is to stimulate the imagination. Our toys are ultimately canvases for cultural conversation, but it’s your conversation, not ours; your opinion, not ours.”
While implementing this new creative idea, the company tested the toys with nearly 250 families, fifteen of whom were trans.
“There were a couple of gender-creative kids who told us that they dreaded Christmas Day because they knew whatever they got under the Christmas tree, it wasn’t made for them,” Mattel’s head of consumer insights told The Times. “This is the first doll that you can find under the tree and see is for them because it can be for anyone.”
The venture has been supported by the majority of people, and it has received many good reviews overall.
“so this company made gender-neutral dolls, and can i just say that is freaking awesome!!! i wish i would’ve had these as a kid because i did not like the typical barbie doll. i 100% support this product and this company!!!!” one user wrote on Twitter.
“This is so good. Way to go @Mattel!!” another wrote.
“Representation matters! Celebrate & elevate!” another said.
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What are your views on these gender fluid barbie dolls? Let us know in the comment section.
Sources: The Guardian – Twitter – Time’s Magazine
