Barbie has sparked controversy by introducing a boy into its commercial for the Moschino Barbie.
Not because he is a male, but because people believe he has been stereotyped as gay.
While some have applauded the ad which features a young trendy boy sporting a Mohawk for breaking gender stereotypes, others think it plays on the idea that boys who play with dolls are likely to grow up to be gay.
Yeah! The future is putting a little boy in a barbie ad and making him stereotypically gay! https://t.co/7KggobEWTw
— Al (@alexandrarosone)
I'm overjoyed that Barbie put a boy in their recent ad. yes yes yes yes. I want to see a little girl in a GI commercial now
— Alexa Losey (@alexalosey)
Mattel, the toy maker that produces Barbie, is not the only company who has recently embraced ambiguity in advertising. Mattel follows in Disney’s footsteps, as it removed gender labels from its Halloween customers last October. Target and Toys “R” Us also removed gender-based labelling in their stores on toys and décor.
Earlier this year Louis Vuitton blurred the line between male and female with an ad, starring Jaden Smith, son of Will Smith, as the face of its womenswear campaign.
It seems gender-neutral advertising is catching on, which is a move in the right direction. However when breaking one stereotype, it’s best not to perpetuate another.
What do you think of the Barbie ad? Comment below.
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