Earlier this year, toy company Mattel released gender-inclusive dolls that can be styled as male or female. Now, Kmart Australia is taking this a step further with same sex family dolls.
Available in three different sets, each retailing for $15, the 'Family Playset' features two dads and two kids, one mum and two kids, or an opposite sex-couple with two children. However, it's important to note that shoppers won't be able to discriminate between which doll they receive as the set is randomly selected for online orders.
Family Playset
Kmart Australia is celebrating diversity by releasing dolls that feature same-sex parents, a move that is receiving a lot of praise on social media. The retailer is selling three family playsets, two with dad and mother and an opposite sex-couple with a son and daughter for $15 each.
The dolls are designed to encourage children to play with others in different roles, and to foster empathy. They are part of a line of gender inclusive dolls launched in early 2019 by Mattel called Creatable World.
These dolls feature a range of skin tones and clothing that can be customized for their non-binary or male or female owners. They also come with wigs that can be worn in both short and long styles.
They have become a popular topic on Twitter, with several social media users applauding Kmart for its progressive stance on the matter. One shopper shared the photo of the same-sex couple dolls and wrote: “Go Kmart!”
Another tweeted: "Kmart, it’s time you introduced more diversity in toys!" This is a step in the right direction for inclusivity in Australia, where LGBTQIA+ individuals are still often discriminated against in school, workplace, and in public spaces.
A Palmerston North LGBTQIA+ leader praised the new dolls, saying they were “highly welcome.” She hopes that the same-sex family dolls will continue to expand into other ethnic groups and families in the future.
The family sets are currently sold out in some stores, but if you’re in the market for these dolls, you can order them online. It’s worth noting, though, that when you buy the doll sets online, you won’t know which family you’ll get until you receive them in the mail.
It’s a common practice in the toy industry to offer a random selection of toys, rather than a guaranteed set. It’s a way to ensure that all customers will have a chance to pick out the toy they want, regardless of their preferences.
However, it’s not uncommon for these kinds of random selections to be a bit confusing. This is especially true for young children, who are less able to process these kinds of decisions.
In the case of this latest toy from Kmart, it’s probably a good idea to have a discussion with your kid about representation and how toys can help create more inclusive environments for people of all ages.
After all, it’s important for kids to see that people from different backgrounds can have fun and enjoy life together, regardless of their physical appearance or other differences. The same is true for people with disabilities, sexuality, or gender identities – and this is why it’s important that children have toys that reflect the communities they live in.
The same-sex family dolls have been out of stock in most Kmart locations in Sydney and Melbourne, according to Star Observer. But if you’re willing to risk the dreaded randomness, you can find these same-sex family doll sets on Kmart’s website.
It’s a big deal for Kmart to offer this kind of inclusive product in a country where there are still many instances of anti-LGBTQ bullying, discrimination, and stigma. It’s a positive sign for the industry and it’s a good step forward for LGBTQIA+ families in Australia.