Dolls with disabilities

Former_MSE_Megan

Hi everyone,

MSE Sarah just sent me a link to an article about Makies Dolls and I thought they're perfect to show you guys in the forum

They're a British toy company and after a campaign for 'better representation in the toy box' they started to make dolls with walking sticks, hearing aids and they've got wheelchair-using dolls coming up as well.

At £69, they're veeeerry pricey but hopefully the price will come down once if more brands start following their lead.



Here's their blog if you want to read more about them. What do you think of these? Would you buy these for your kids? (Maybe with a discount!)

Gra76

I typed a long winded post but decided to shorten it to this:

1 - £69 POUNDS?!
2 - Politically correct dolls to pander to a very niche market. No thanks.
3 - £69 POUNDS?!
4 - What's wrong with Barbie/Ken/Action Man?
5 - £69 POUNDS?!
6 - They really believe other toy manufacturers will follow their lead? I'm not seeing Action Man dolls with IED inflicted injuries arriving on the shelves anytime soon.

Alikay

£69 for a "disability" that most kids are well capable of inflicting on their toys for free?

I recall having plenty of dolls with missing limbs, "birthmarks", alopecia and various soft toys with all sorts of serious injuries and I never charged a penny for the customisation.:D

fairy_lights

I think it's a great idea, if a doll with a port wine birthmark or a hearing aid can make a child with the same 'disability' feel a bit more included and less self conscious then I don't see how it could be a bad thing.
£69 pounds though, that's a ridiculous price and puts them out of reach of most kids.

DigForVictory

I like the idea of a mainstream doll with a port wine stain, but I reassure my cousin that hers makes her look unique, distinctive & beautiful, unlike the terrifyingly alike painted girls that hassle her. A different doll for a slightly different child reinforces the difference, may not help acceptance/mutual toleration/acceptance and sorry, but at £69 I can treat my little cousin several times over, laying up good memories that will help her step out head up, longer than a dolly I hope!

GwylimT

Some places already do these, they also supply the NHS with disables toys to explain treatment to young children. When my son is in hospital he is given a teddy that has the same tubes as him etc.

j.e.j.

There's something distinctly distasteful about cashing in on disabilities. Which at £69 per doll is exactly what they're doing.

Georgiegirl256

I can understand the idea behind it, but I think if anything, they'll only serve to reinforce any differences.

I think those teddies that kids get in hospitals are great though, and they serve their purpose very well. The dolls however are a different kettle of fish IMO and I don't think they'll be popular.

At £69, they are totally cashing in.

fierystormcloud

Georgiegirl256 wrote: »

I can understand the idea behind it, but I think if anything, they'll only serve to reinforce any differences.

I think those teddies that kids get in hospitals are great though, and they serve their purpose very well. The dolls however are a different kettle of fish IMO and I don't think they'll be popular.

At £69, they are totally cashing in.

Agreed.

Frankly, I am not keen on them, and £69 is a horrific rip-off.

Can't see many kids wanting these.

And what disability is the doll in the middle supposed to have? :huh:

j.e.j.

fierystormcloud wrote: »

And what disability is the doll in the middle supposed to have? :huh:

I think she's got hearing aids. Which you could probably make yourself out of plasticine for less than a quid.

WantToBeSE

fierystormcloud wrote: »

And what disability is the doll in the middle supposed to have? :huh:

A hidden disability?