“Doll #135 with vitiligo”: Are alopecia and vitiligo Barbie worth the hype?

Abstract

Long legs, blonde hair, and flawless skin: Barbie's globally renowned image. However, it is out with exclusionary appearances and in with a "multi-dimensional view of beauty" as Mattel released a new line of Fashionista Barbie dolls earlier this year. 1 Dubbed "the most diverse doll line" and developed alongside a dermatologist, the latest collection boasts four body types, 34 skin tones, and 94 hairstyles, including vitiligo and alopecia (totalis) Barbie. 1 The dolls received widespread celebration for their potential to benefit children with similar dermatoses, and dermatologists have even recommended the dolls to their younger patients. 1,2 However, the dolls' effects on children's self-esteem and stigmatization have yet to be established. Here, we present a more realistic view than that purported by the media, arguing that vitiligo and alopecia Barbies' proposed benefits are unlikely to materialize.

Barbie Within the Context of the Four Waves of Feminism

“…Hiçbir zaman anne olmamış olan Barbie, anne rollerini de üstlenmemiştir. Piyasaya çıktığında, kariyerinin çeşitliliği sayesinde, ev kadınlığı ve anneliği özendiren oyuncak bebeklerle dolu bir sektörde kadın özgürlüğünün sembolü olarak öne çıkmıştır (Shah, 2020). Hatta feminist düşünür Lenore Wright (2003) "ben Barbie'yle oynarken filozof oldum" bile demiştir.…”

Expanding the palette of pediatric playthings: A call to action for pediatric dermatologists

“…4 In addition to books, there have been efforts to create more diverse toys including dolls of various skin and body types. 5 Crayola's "Colors of the World" crayon box, which features 24-32 crayons representing diverse skin tones, including shades such as "light golden, medium deep rose, and deep almond," won Toy of the Year Award in 2021. 6 These crayons aim to foster more inclusive self-expression DOI: 10.1111/pde.14848…”