Ever since the first Barbie doll came out in 1959, Mattel has dominated the American doll market by keeping up with trends and cultural shifts over the years. Recently, it’s been making headlines for its trailblazing new line: gender-neutral dolls.
Parents and kids alike are demanding new options for dolls that reflect modern attitudes toward gender. For years, many parents have taken issue with the “pink and blue” toy aisles that reinforce gender stereotypes and prevent kids from expressing themselves authentically and exploring their identity.
Initially, the idea of the gender-neutral doll was to mitigate this gender bias. However, gender neutrality is becoming increasingly important in a world that’s gradually shining a brighter light on LGBTQ+ inequality.
Studies show that 77% of surveyed LGBTQ+ students report experiencing ridicule because of their sexual identity. Many kids don’t feel comfortable with the gender binary and want toys that they can truly make their own. Mattel has answered that call and has begun a new trend that will hopefully continue to flourish in years to come.
A Changing Industry
Barbie’s big breasts and high heels have been falling out of fashion for years, with many adults feeling that the toys reinforce damaging body image messages. Mattel has responded by adding different product lines for the toy, with career-focused Barbies, curvy dolls, and other options now available for children.
Mattel isn’t the only toymaker that’s shifting the industry in a more progressive direction, however. STEM toys intended for girls from manufacturers like GoldieBlox and more gender-neutral dollhouses and cooking sets show that times are changing.
The way we look at toys is gradually shifting. It’s not surprising that Mattel has tackled the challenge of creating a gender-neutral doll, but it’s a little surprising that it’s taken this long.
A Doll for Everyone
So what do Mattel’s Creatable World gender-neutral dolls look like? Well, they’re designed to have somewhat androgynous features and a huge range of hair and clothing options. The dolls all have gender-neutral hairstyles but come with alternate wigs and clothing types that encourage kids to create their own world, instead of conforming to the narrow set of expectations that most traditional dolls subtly (or not so subtly) push onto a child.
These dolls allow children to explore and to make their own decisions about gender identity. There’s no need for them to feel guilty or bad about what they feel, think and create—it’s all presented as an option and gives them the control to build their own world and identity.
The Creatable World dolls are dolls for everyone, and they offer a safe way for kids to experiment with identity. One day, the doll might be wearing long hair and camo pants. The next, a short hairstyle and a tutu.
There’s no agenda with gender-neutral dolls. They’re there for innocent play and imagination that helps kids to feel secure and creative. If they see themselves in a toy, it can make them feel like they can fit in somewhere in the world, no matter what their identity.
A Big Win for Diversity and Inclusion
The fight for more diversity extends from the workplace to children’s toys. The United States has always been a melting pot and the freedoms that we enjoy allow us to be who we want to be. American culture, however, hasn’t historically celebrated this diversity and has even actively opposed it.
Gender-neutral dolls might seem like a relatively small win in the push for diversity and inclusion, but they’re actually extremely important in shaping our culture for the future. Children now have options like never before, and they may feel more empowered to follow their dreams thanks to new toy options. By seeing a more diverse range of toys, we’re signaling to our children that inclusion is important and that we all have a place at the table.
Some Expected Controversy
As with any major sign of a cultural shift, not everyone is a fan of the new toy line. Mattel has said that it’s actually happy that not everyone is embracing the Creatable World dolls with open arms because it means they’re ahead of the curve. Many parents have strong negative feelings about gender-neutral dolls, especially parents who don’t want their sons playing with toys that have been traditionally intended for girls.
But it’s exactly this attitude that harms children. In a society where a herd mentality rules, the pressure to fit into stereotypical roles takes its toll and has mental health consequences. In fact, 70% of surveyed teens report experiencing feelings of depression and anxiety. Parents need to think about what’s best for their children, and not what society thinks.
Gender-neutral dolls may have created some controversy, but they need to stay. Children in the past were forced into gender boxes that didn’t always fit, causing identity crises, feelings of isolation, and even more serious consequences. Hopefully, today’s kids can feel more secure in who they are, now that American toy options are expanding to reflect the beautiful spectrum that makes up our world.
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Watch this video by TIME about Mattel’s Gender-Neutral Dolls.
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