Mattel has unveiled a new line of 'role model' dolls for International Women's Day, starting with the Lionesses, including England footballer Chloe Kelly. The one-of-a-kind doll is dressed in the kit England wore during their 2025 Euros victory in Switzerland. Kelly, named top of The Independent's influence list for International Women's Day, said the doll represents 'two worlds colliding' and shows young girls they can both play with Barbies and play football.
However, the author expresses conflicted feelings about Barbie, recalling her own childhood in the 1980s. She remembers feeling dismayed that she did not have Barbie's long blonde hair, tiny waist, or perfect features. The dolls, with their impossible proportions and limited careers like 'air hostess Barbie' or 'wedding Barbie', made her feel 'less than' and confused about her own body and aspirations.
The author notes that organisations like The Fawcett Society have raised concerns about gender stereotyping in toys. A commission found that stereotyping in childhood has wide-ranging negative consequences. The author decided not to let her own daughter play with dolls, instead offering trucks and Star Wars figurines, to avoid reinforcing harmful stereotypes.
Despite the positive intent behind the Chloe Kelly doll, the author argues that one doll cannot undo decades of harm caused by Barbie's unrealistic body image and limited roles. She questions whether being turned into a plastic doll is truly an accolade for women, and remains sceptical about the long-term impact of such products.
