Gender Neutral Barbie
Observation: Mattel have launched their first range of gender neutral dolls. They have 6 dolls with varying skin tones and options to customize with short or long hair. Why: The kids drive the spending in a household, and if a child wants a gender neutral doll ... the world will provide it for them.
Its clear that people need role models to look up to, aspire to be like and to identify with from a “beauty” perspective. People are recognising their genders sooner these days and this goes all the way to young kids. Dolls with black skin were only introduced fairly recently, so its no surprise that those who identify with or consider themselves allies of trans people would want a doll that they recognise as their own.
Future: The world of dolls is massive and for sure there would have been trans dolls before, but that a massive company like Mattel is recognising trans people is hugely important. Dolls targeted at identities will sell if there is a market for it, we might even see “activist barbie” appear, but that would definitely raise some eyebrows!
- BR with thanks to TG