Mattel's Historic Barbie Doll With Down Syndrome Is Just The Kind Representation That Young Children Playing With Dolls Need

The world is so far evolved today from what it was decades ago. And we aren't just talking scientific progress and technological discoveries. Even dolls have come a long, long way. A day ago, Mattel announced the launch of a Barbie Doll with Down Syndrome. The newest Barbie Doll wears a floral puff-sleeve dress in shades of blue and yellow, which represents Down syndrome awareness. Her pink necklace has three arrows to represent the third 21st chromosome that individuals with Down syndrome have and her removable ankle foot orthoses also come in matching pink. The doll was designed in partnership with the National Down Syndrome Society and is one historic step further for inclusion and diversity.

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The new doll is set to join the Barbie Fashionista line, which first launched in 2019. It includes dolls in wheelchairs, with prosthetic limbs and even dolls with braided hair, shorter torsos and broader waists. Children playing with dolls may not know much about representation but they do know when they see a doll that looks like them. Barbie has come a long way from being the light-skinned, impossibly tall blonde with a tiny waist that totters in heels. Barbie dolls are steadily moving towards what you and I see in a mirror; with all the features we consider imperfections included and that's incredibly reaffirming.

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