Mattel unveils a Barbie doll with Down syndrome : NPR

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Mattel Inc. introduced a new Barbie doll with Down syndrome. It was designed to give extra small children an chance to see them selves in Barbie, the organization mentioned.


Mattel


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Mattel


Mattel Inc. introduced a new Barbie doll with Down syndrome. It was developed to give much more small children an chance to see them selves in Barbie, the corporation mentioned.



Mattel

The initial Barbie doll symbolizing a person with Down syndrome was produced by Mattel “to enable even additional young children to see by themselves in Barbie,” the enterprise explained.

“We are happy to introduce a Barbie doll with Down syndrome to far better reflect the planet all over us and even more our dedication to celebrating inclusion as a result of participate in,” Lisa McKnight, the executive vice president and global head of Barbie & dolls at Mattel, claimed in a assertion.

In the past, Mattel’s Barbie has been criticized for spreading unrealistic natural beauty standards for the little ones who play with the doll. In new several years, the business has moved to deviate from that track record by providing a lot more varied dolls. It began creating Barbie and Ken dolls with wheelchairs, vitiligo, listening to aids, and prosthetic limbs. The firm unveiled its “most numerous doll line” in its 2023 Fashionistas lineup, which includes the doll with Down syndrome.

“Our purpose is to allow all kids to see by themselves in Barbie, although also encouraging children to participate in with dolls who do not search like themselves. Doll engage in exterior of a child’s own lived expertise can train comprehension and create a better perception of empathy, leading to a additional accepting world,” McKnight stated.

Barbie labored with the National Down Syndrome Culture in buy to correctly characterize a human being with Down syndrome. That included shaping the doll’s human body to include a shorter frame and longer torso and a spherical face that attributes scaled-down ears and almond-shaped, slanted eyes, the NDSS explained in their announcement.

The doll wears a yellow and blue dress with butterflies, all symbols related with Down syndrome awareness, according to NDSS.

Even the doll’s pink necklace has special which means. Its three upward chevrons are intended to signify “the 3 copies of the 21st chromosome, which is the genetic material that will cause the attributes involved with Down syndrome,” according to the group.

NDSS President and CEO Kandi Pickard stated in the group’s statement, “This Barbie serves as a reminder that we must never ever undervalue the ability of representation. It is a large stage forward for inclusion and a moment that we are celebrating.”

Ellie Goldstein, a British design with Down Syndrome, took to Instagram in a partnership with Mattel to share how vital seeing the doll was to her.

“When I saw the doll I felt so emotional, and happy. It indicates a whole lot to me that young children will be in a position to perform with the doll and understand that absolutely everyone is diverse. I am happy that Barbie selected me to exhibit the dolls to the planet,” she wrote on Instagram. “Variety is critical as people today have to have to see much more people like me out there in the environment and not be concealed absent, Barbie will aid make this take place.”

The Barbie doll with Down syndrome will be offered at significant stores this summer time and slide for $10.99.



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Mattel unveils a Barbie doll with Down syndrome : NPR
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