[Livia]

I wonder what kids did before they were shown how to feel by a giant toy manufacturer? I wonder how they were able to cope with their feelings before Mattel made a doll for them? Kids are resilient and strong. Anyone who thinks Mattel is acting for the good of the kids and not to a) make money, and b) raise their own profile, is dreaming.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Livia

I wonder what kids did before they were shown how to feel by a giant toy manufacturer? I wonder how they were able to cope with their feelings before Mattel made a doll for them? Kids are resilient and strong. Anyone who thinks Mattel is acting for the good of the kids and not to a) make money, and b) raise their own profile, is dreaming.

Of course that's why they're doing it, however I don't actually see the issue with the doll either, end of the day it will either sell or it won't and they'll discontinue it if it's not selling for them

[BBXX]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

Of course that's why they're doing it, however I don't actually see the issue with the doll either, end of the day it will either sell or it won't and they'll discontinue it if it's not selling for them

Indeed. Matell is doing it to make money, and it also might make kids feel better about being represented in doll form. Both can be true.

I will never understand people who complain about things that are literally not doing any harm to anyone.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

Of course that's why they're doing it, however I don't actually see the issue with the doll either, end of the day it will either sell or it won't and they'll discontinue it if it's not selling for them

I think it's a cynical, money-making ploy that tells kids, hey, you're different! I reckon it will have been a really short run of these dolls and not something that will continue because it will not be economically viable, even though there will always be diabetic kids.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Livia

I think it's a cynical, money-making ploy that tells kids, hey, you're different! I reckon it will have been a really short run of these dolls and not something that will continue because it will not be economically viable, even though there will always be diabetic kids.

I mean yeah of course they're doing it to make money but again I don't see the harm, if a kid has diabetes it's not like they don't know that and feel a bit different from their friends sometimes because they have to take meds etc, imo the doll is just normalising that a bit more, like if they had Barbie in a wheelchair (which i think they probably have done) and they have definitely had hospital barbie sets etc

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

I mean yeah of course they're doing it to make money but again I don't see the harm, if a kid has diabetes it's not like they don't know that and feel a bit different from their friends sometimes because they have to take meds etc, imo the doll is just normalising that a bit more, like if they had Barbie in a wheelchair (which i think they probably have done) and they have definitely had hospital barbie sets etc

What's different about a kid with diabetes? Nothing, except the meds they take and the food they eat. If Mattel was giving 10% of the profits to a diabetic charity I wouldn't think it was so very cynical. Yes there is a wheelchair Barbie and I have no problem with it. It probably helps kids with visible disabilities. Diabetes though? Any Barbie could be diabetic Barbie.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Livia

What's different about a kid with diabetes? Nothing, except the meds they take and the food they eat. If Mattel was giving 10% of the profits to a diabetic charity I wouldn't think it was so very cynical. Yes there is a wheelchair Barbie and I have no problem with it. It probably helps kids with visible disabilities. Diabetes though? Any Barbie could be diabetic Barbie.

Again no idea what the harm in it is. All barbies are there to make money for Mattell

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

Again no idea what the harm in it is. All barbies are there to make money for Mattell

It's just my opinion. If someone wants to buy one that's their business.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

Again no idea what the harm in it is. All barbies are there to make money for Mattell

Its just annoying that they pretend its for some altruistic reason and as you say its just to make them money and look good

But we can still call them out on it

[Mystic Mock]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

Again no idea what the harm in it is. All barbies are there to make money for Mattell

We need Goth Barbie.

[BBXX]

Originally Posted by Livia

What's different about a kid with diabetes? Nothing, except the meds they take and the food they eat. If Mattel was giving 10% of the profits to a diabetic charity I wouldn't think it was so very cynical. Yes there is a wheelchair Barbie and I have no problem with it. It probably helps kids with visible disabilities. Diabetes though? Any Barbie could be diabetic Barbie.

I've read a lot of responses from people with T1D who are super happy with this.

I don't think you're being cynical in suggesting this is to make money, of course it is, but two things can be true at once: it can make money and it can make kids feel better about an illness they have.

T1D is visible to the person with T1D even if they hide wearable monitors electronic apps hidden from outsiders and is it visible on this Barbie?

[Mystic Mock]

Originally Posted by Livia

I wonder what kids did before they were shown how to feel by a giant toy manufacturer? I wonder how they were able to cope with their feelings before Mattel made a doll for them? Kids are resilient and strong. Anyone who thinks Mattel is acting for the good of the kids and not to a) make money, and b) raise their own profile, is dreaming.

Oh, the company is being performative imo.

It's just is it really a big deal in this particular case?