Epi 68: Entertainment – Why toys that look like astronauts and scientists help kids dream differently

Full Episode description

Barbie has long held a unique place and symbolised pretty looks. Not anymore. The company Mattel which makes Barbie dolls has pivoted towards showing Barbie dolls with a stronger personality. Barbie dolls are no longer just pretty faces with fancy shoes and bags. They also represent women with a purpose, profession and positive perspective. In this episode, 10th grader Anya Chaturvedi from DPS Nagpur speaks eloquently about Mattel's pivot in its line-up of Barbie dolls.

Mattel, in a survey, found that most mothers were concerned about the lack of positive role models in their children's toys. This was a catalyst for a change in Barbie's new introductions. You can now find a Barbie who looks like Amelia Earhart (the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic), Jane Goodall (a primatologist) and Ashley Graham (a supermodel who is plus-size). Mattel hopes that these Barbie models will inspire girls to pursue sports or science and not merely just grow up with shopping and cooking on their agenda.

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