A new set of dolls developed through a University of Minnesota research project is expected to become available for use by some educators, clinicians, and other professionals.
The dolls, called MyGender Dolls, feature interchangeable clothing, accessories, and removable internal and external body parts.
The project began as a research effort through the university’s Institute for Sexual and Gender Health before later becoming a commercial venture.
The dolls are designed with gender-neutral names including “Sam,” “Rory,” “Avery,” and “Parker” and include more than 100 interchangeable pieces of clothing, hairstyles, and accessories, according to the New York Post.
The creators say the dolls are intended for educators, clinicians, and counselors as tools for structured conversations about identity and self-expression.
The MyGender Dolls website states that the products are designed for use with children ages 4 to 10 and are intended to help them “tell their stories and see themselves represented.”
The University of Minnesota research project reportedly began several years ago as an effort to study how children and families discuss gender and bodies.
Researchers used prototype dolls during sessions involving “trans” and so-called gender-diverse children and parents, with participants receiving compensation ranging from $20 to $60.
Researchers said the dolls were used to encourage discussions about identity, personal experiences, and how children view themselves.
Researchers involved in the project said the dolls were created as a resource to help children explore questions related to “gender identity.”
University of Minnesota postdoctoral fellow Ben Parchem, Ph.D., said the dolls were intended to help children “realize all the different options that exist for who they can be,” according to Breitbart.
Adjunct Assistant Professor Elizabeth Panetta also described using the dolls to discuss how children view their bodies and possible futures.
The project has also drawn questions over funding and public support.
The University of Minnesota Medical School receives approximately $15 million annually from the state for research capacity and institutional development, according to The Post Millennial.
The university has said public funds were not used for the commercialization of MyGender Dolls but has not disclosed how much funding, if any, supported the research and development process behind the project.
The project has drawn criticism from opponents who question whether discussions about gender identity and body differences through dolls are appropriate for young children.
Dr. Quentin Van Meter, a critic of the project and former president of the American College of Pediatricians, argued that young children may have difficulty understanding complex discussions about identity when presented through play-based activities.
He said the dolls could be inappropriate depending on how they are introduced and used.
Supporters of the project argue that the dolls are intended as professional tools rather than traditional toys and say they can help facilitate conversations between children, families, and trained adults.
The MyGender Dolls website states that the dolls are expected to launch in 2026.
It remains unclear how widely the products will be distributed or whether they will be distributed to schools, clinics, or other professional settings.
The company has not publicly announced pricing or whether the dolls will be available directly to families.
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