First Barbie with Down's syndrome
26.4.2023
Translation: machine translated
The US toy giant Mattel has long been accused of promoting stereotypes about women. The company has since launched various inclusive toys on the market - and now the first Barbie doll with trisomy 21.
"Our goal is to enable all children to find themselves in a Barbie," explains Mattel Vice President Lisa McKnight. At the same time, children should be encouraged to play with dolls that don't look like themselves.
The Barbie is modelled on people with Down's syndrome
When designing the new Barbie, care was taken to ensure that the doll is modelled on women with trisomy 21: Barbie has a rounder face, smaller ears, a flat bridge of the nose and a longer torso. Her floral dress is inspired by butterfly shapes - the butterfly symbolises support for people with Down's syndrome. She also wears pink-coloured orthopaedic aids.
People affected by Down syndrome or trisomy 21 have chromosome 21 three times instead of twice. The chromosomal disorder is associated with varying degrees of disability.
The Barbie with Down's syndrome is not the first doll in the Fashionista range to ensure more inclusion in the nursery: Mattel has already launched a Barbie in a wheelchair, with a hearing aid or with a prosthesis.
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