The author of a new book exploring the making of heroines throughout history asks whether Barbie can ever overcome her reputation as the plastic antithesis of feminist ideals.
Can Black dolls help Black children better understand their racial identity?
Matel
Black children are prone to internalize messages of anti-Blackness. Can a Black doll that honors one of America’s most noteworthy Black women do anything to reverse the trend?
Barbie is the best-selling toy of all time.
Shutterstock/DinosArt
Mattel created a new line of dolls because of research suggesting kids don’t want toys ‘dictated by gender norms’ – but supplanting those norms will take a lot more than that.
Barbie’s designer, Ruth Handler, at a 40th-anniversary party for the famous doll in New York.
Matt Campbell/AFP
2019 marks the 60th anniversary of the world’s most famous doll, Barbie. It’s an opportunity to look back at the journey of its creator, Ruth Handler, a visionary leader and model for women.
Living in a Barbie world: the 50th anniversary celebrations in Sydney.
EPA/Tracey Nearme
An expert argues our connection with these figures is longstanding. They are embedded in our myths and help us explore deeper questions about being human.
With strong female leads such as Rey, Star Wars merchandise has tended to be sold in its own ‘destination’ section of stores rather than gendered toy aisles.
Ken dolls with a ‘man bun’. Female superhero action figures. At long last, the gendered distinctions of the pink and blue toy aisles are starting to break down.
Are toys sharing too much information on the internet?
mhong84/Shutterstock.com
As Amazon introduces a new smart-home device aimed at children, it’s important to know many internet-connected toys are not secure, putting kids’ security and privacy at risk.
The Luvabella robotic dolls are reportedly one of this season’s most wanted toys. It’s time to pause and ask about its impact on children.
(Handout)
The technological revolution has hit the doll aisle this holiday season in the form of artificial intelligence dolls. What does it mean for children’s development, to confuse real bodies with machines?
In this1999 file photo, Playboy founder Hugh Hefner receives kisses from Playboy playmates during the 52nd Cannes Film Festival in France. Hefner has died at age 91.
(AP Photo/Laurent Rebours)
With the recent death of Hugh Hefner, come questions about his impact on sexual culture: Did his empire broaden the sexual landscape or did it usher in a pitiful era of objectification of women?
Barbie has a forgotten history of changing in response to market pressures. Are her multiple new bodies ushering in an era of ethical body inclusiveness, or is Mattel just shifting deckchairs on the Titanic?
A lucrative business.
Radu Bercan / Shutterstock.com
Makies, the #toyslikeme campaign and the broader focus on disability in digital spaces show we are in the midst of a significant shift towards an inclusive world view of disability.
Professor, School for the Future of Innovation in Society & School of Computing, Informatics and Decision Systems Engineering, Arizona State University