Online Movement for Mattel to Create a Bald Barbie
Katherinev123 — January 13, 2012 — Life-Stages
Barbies have always been designed to have gorgeous hair and if they don't, it's typically at the whim of a child. However, there is now an online movement that is encouraging toymaker Mattel to create a bald Barbie.
The bald Barbie, online fans of the 'Beautiful Bald Barbie' Facebook page hope, will help children understand that there's "no reason to gawk at people who've lost their hair," says Jezebel. The fans hope that the bald Barbie doll could help girls who have lost their hair due to cancer treatments or other diseases feel better about themselves.
Rebecca Sypin and Jane Bingham, the creators of the Beautiful Bald Barbie Facebook page -- which now has 30,000 'likes' -- created the page after Sypin's daughter was diagnosed with leukemia and lost her hair from the treatments, and Bingham lost her hair from lymphoma.
Unfortunately, Mattel has so far resisted the request for such a doll; Sypin and Bingham received a generic letter from the toy company rejecting the idea.
The bald Barbie, online fans of the 'Beautiful Bald Barbie' Facebook page hope, will help children understand that there's "no reason to gawk at people who've lost their hair," says Jezebel. The fans hope that the bald Barbie doll could help girls who have lost their hair due to cancer treatments or other diseases feel better about themselves.
Rebecca Sypin and Jane Bingham, the creators of the Beautiful Bald Barbie Facebook page -- which now has 30,000 'likes' -- created the page after Sypin's daughter was diagnosed with leukemia and lost her hair from the treatments, and Bingham lost her hair from lymphoma.
Unfortunately, Mattel has so far resisted the request for such a doll; Sypin and Bingham received a generic letter from the toy company rejecting the idea.
Trend Themes
1. Bald Barbie Movement - Creating a bald Barbie doll could disrupt the traditional notion of beauty and promote awareness and acceptance of hair loss.
2. Empathy in Toy Design - Designing dolls that cater to children with specific needs or health conditions can foster inclusivity and emotional well-being.
3. Online Activism for Toys - The power of online communities to rally support for inclusive and socially-conscious toy design presents an opportunity for companies to engage with their audience.
Industry Implications
1. Toy Manufacturing - Toy manufacturers can leverage the demand for diverse and inclusive dolls like a bald Barbie, catering to a wider range of customer needs.
2. Children's Healthcare - The healthcare industry can explore collaborations with toy companies to develop educational and therapeutic dolls that promote emotional well-being in young patients.
3. Social Media & Advocacy - Social media platforms and advocacy organizations can support and amplify campaigns like the bald Barbie movement to drive positive societal change.
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