The criticisms that led Mattel to release Barbie with Down syndrome

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The objective, according to the North American company, was that “all children saw themselves in Barbie”, and that there was also the opportunity for them to play “with dolls that do not look like them”. British model Ellie Goldstein said she felt ‘impressed’ when she saw the new Barbie Divulgation / Mattel A Barbie with Down syndrome is the latest model launched by the American company Mattel to make its collection of dolls more diverse. The children’s market giant has previously faced criticism over the lack of representation of real women in Barbie models. In recent years, Mattel has created dolls with hearing aids, prosthetics and wheelchairs. The goal, according to the company, was that “all children see themselves in Barbie”, and that there was also an opportunity for them to play “with dolls that don’t look like them”. The original model, released in 1959, had long legs, a slim waist and blonde hair. Researchers at the University of South Australia have suggested that the odds of a woman having a Barbie body is only 1 in 100,000. Activists called for Barbie to represent a more realistic body image, while some people with disabilities said more inclusive role models were previously lacking. In 2016, Mattel released Barbie with Curves, Barbie Tall and Barbie Petite models, as well as a wider range of skin tones to reflect more ethnicities. Lisa McKnight, global director of Mattel’s Barbie & Dolls division, said the new launch could help with more “understanding and building a greater sense of empathy, leading to a more accepting world.” Mattel said it worked closely with the US National Down Syndrome Society to ensure the latest model faithfully represented a person with Down syndrome. The original model, released in 1959, had long legs, a slim waist and blonde hair. Mattel The doll has a shorter frame and longer torso. The face is more rounded, with smaller ears, a flat nasal bridge, and almond-shaped (slanted) eyes. The puff-sleeved dress features the colors yellow and blue, which are associated with the Down syndrome awareness movement. The doll also wears a pink pendant necklace with three upward facing arrows, representing the three copies of chromosome 21, the genetic material that causes the characteristics associated with Down syndrome. The model also has pink ankle orthoses, as some children with Down syndrome use the piece to support their feet and ankles due to orthopedic alterations. National Down Syndrome Society President Kandi Pickard said it was an honor to work on the project. “This means a lot to people in our community, who for the first time can play with a Barbie that looks just like them.” “We must never underestimate the power of representation. It’s a huge step towards inclusion, and it’s a moment we’re celebrating.” British model Ellie Goldstein, an advocate for the inclusion, visibility and understanding of people with Down syndrome, said she was “blown away” when she saw the doll. “Diversity is important … as more visibility is needed for people like me in the world. And not that they are hidden,” she says. Other toy companies have made similar releases to try to make their models more inclusive. In 2016, Lego created its first disabled youth minifigure — a young wheelchair user wearing a beanie — following a campaign by UK-based group #ToyLikeMe. The group had criticized the Danish company for “echoing disability stereotypes”, because until then its only character to use a wheelchair was an elderly man. The toy-focused campaign was created to represent the 770,000 disabled children in the UK.

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