Toy maker Mattel is considering a same-sex Barbie wedding set after encouragement from two gay men. There are already several options, however, for people seeking family doll sets that include different types of families.
First, the Barbie story: Matt Jacobi and Nick Caprio, a couple in Arizona who are getting married next year, could only find a different-sex Barbie wedding set to give to one of their nieces, who will be their flower girl. They therefore made their own by buying an extra Ken doll. When they posted a photo to Instagram and tagged the company, Mattel reached out to them to set up a meeting, reported Good Morning America.
A few other toymakers have already been offering doll sets that reflect same-sex couples and parents. They include:
My Family Builders
: Wooden, magnetic sets with many pieces that allow easy mixing and matching to create families galore. Includes cards for a game to engage children in thinking about difference.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BBTxwXGrP6O/
Miniland Family Diversity Blocks Building Kit
: Plastic blocks that also allow children to recreate their own families or those they know, plus prompt cards and a spinner to encourage them to explore and think about other types of families. Similar to My Family Builders, but allows easier swapping of hair.
- ScribbleBot Studio, an Etsy seller, offers cute, handpainted peg dolls, both in ready-to-ship family configurations and skin tones or as fully customizable special orders. (Click the “Request Custom Order” button on their Etsy page.)
: Plastic blocks that also allow children to recreate their own families or those they know, plus prompt cards and a spinner to encourage them to explore and think about other types of families. Similar to My Family Builders, but allows easier swapping of hair.Of course, you could always do what Jacobi and Caprio did and create your own set from two or more others, if you have the means. Or do what I did and configure your Lego minifigs to suit. Still, there’s added value to having diverse family sets on the shelves both for the families they reflect and others who live in the same neighborhood—or world. And having the Barbie behemoth behind such a move would have enormous significance for representation and inclusion. Let’s make it happen, Mattel!
If you have other ideas on how you’ve adapted dolls to fit your family, or other relevant vendors you like, please leave a comment!
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