Mom Makes Line Of Dolls Specifically For Boys To Help Squash Gendered Stigma
Children's toys from a young age tend to be divided and marketed by gender: dinosaurs and trucks for boys, and dolls and toy kitchens for girls. However, it's clear that there is interest from both boys and girls in a wide variety of toys and games.
One mother was tired of the divide and decided to make a difference.
Meet Laurel Wider
Laurel was inspired to start making dolls that went against gender norms when she first heard her son say that boys aren't supposed to cry.
At that point, she was forced to consider the gendered messages boys were prone to hearing all the time.
She Decided She Wanted To Make A Difference
Her background in psychotherapy helped her delve deeper into the issue and helped inspire her to want to make a difference and help young boys develop a sense of empathy.
From there, she came up with a brilliant idea.
Dolls Are A Great Tool For Learning To Care For Others
Playing with dolls shows beneficial effects in children—not just girls—because of the bonding and care that their owners put into them.
Many boys are interested in playing with dolls from a young age, but they are often hindered due to societal and parental ideas of what are "male" toys.
Laurel Created The "Wonder Crew" In Response
The Wonder Crew toys are male dolls that come with matching outfits for their owners, helping to inspire connection with the doll and also imaginative play.
All in all, the toys with diverse features help young boys feel connected and empathetic at an early age.
Her Idea Has Grown Significantly
What started off as a project for her sons has since grown into something much bigger.
Every month, Laurel receives pictures and messages from parents whose sons have happily bonded with their toy doll. To us, it's a sign of a promising future where toys will be less stigmatized by gender.
