Dolls for everyone – Barbie world is becoming more diverse

In 1999, German songwriter Funny van Dennen sang a song about «black disabled lesbians» and how you «hardly ever see them...». While he certainly wasn’t entirely wrong at the time, a lot has changed in the last 25 years. In fact, the song title would have a different name today. Whether it’s advertising, in film, or on TV – the world is more colourful now, more diverse and inclusive. And that’s a good thing.

For more inclusion in the playroom

Mattel is setting a good example in this respect and now has a black Barbie doll with Down syndrome in its range. In order to represent the physical characteristics of people with Trisomy 21 as accurately as possible, the US toy manufacturer collaborated with the National Down Syndrome Society.

They paid special attention to Barbie’s head. The new doll has a round face, small ears and a flat nose bridge. She has almond shaped eyes that are slanted and slightly turned up. The braids were an important request from the black Down syndrome community, writes Mattel in a press release.

Trisomy 21 is also very much present in the new Barbie’s clothes. Her dress is in blue and yellow, the official colours for Down syndrome awareness. In addition, the three arrows in some of the hearts on the dress symbolise the 21st chromosome that’s present threefold in people with Down syndrome. And because many people with Trisomy 21 have vision problems, the doll wears glasses.

Speaking of sight problems, the second new doll is blind. In her hand, she holds the characteristic long white cane with a red section at the tip that makes everyday mobility easier for blind people. The sunglasses symbolise that many visually impaired and blind people are sensitive to light.

Mattel also teamed up with experts and members of the blind community to develop this doll. One group was the American Foundation for the Blind, who campaign to expand possibilities for people with visual impairments and disabilities.

With the blind doll, Mattel really want to emphasise the inclusive packaging which has «Barbie» written on it in Braille. «This makes the doll accessible to blind and visually impaired children and ensures an inclusive unboxing experience,» writes Mattel. Personally, I think this is the right step forward and an important one that should be extended to all Barbie packaging.

Many colourful Barbies

Looking back, Barbie has changed a lot since her birth 65 years ago. For the first decades, the dolls were exclusively blonde, white and had a body that conveyed an unrealistic and unattainable ideal of beauty. Faced with increasing criticism as a result, Mattel began to design more diverse dolls in the 1990s.

Mattel has continued along this path since the introduction of the Fashionistas line for Barbie a few years ago, and it’s becoming increasingly colourful. You’ll find dolls with different body shapes, skin, eye and hair colours and hairstyles. To better reflect everyday life and reality, Barbie now also recognises physical and mental disabilities, like the two new ones presented here, which are by no means the first.

Dolls

Barbie Doll and Accessory #167

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Dolls

Barbie Doll and Accessory #167

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There’s also another Barbie doll with Trisomy 21. Mattel also worked with the National Down Syndrome Society to create the doll and has been honoured with the Corporate Social Responsibility Award from the US toy industry trade association. It certainly looks like things are heading in the right direction.

Dolls

EUR14,92

Barbie Fashionistas doll with Down's Syndrome in a flower dress

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Dolls

EUR14,92

Barbie Fashionistas doll with Down's Syndrome in a flower dress

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Mattel won’t be deterred

Many companies make grandiose promises about diversity and inclusion and then fail to fulfil them. Mattel, on the other hand, has been sticking to its word for years. The world of Barbie dolls is diverse and no longer as one-dimensional as it was a few decades ago. And these two new models are an example of this.

Of course, Mattel also profits on a commercial level when it brings inclusive products to the market. Then there are those who don’t agree with the progressive path. But Mattel won’t be deterred by this, as one of its managers stated in 2023. And that’s a good thing.

More diversity in the playroom helps to reduce prejudices and fears. The fact that Barbie dolls contribute to this, Mattel and anyone else taking the same path deserve to be praised.