This is a doll Mattel put out as part of the Barbie line a few years ago. Her name is Midge. Apparently she is Barbie’s long-time friend. If you notice, Midge is pregnant. Her belly opened up and there was a baby inside. The line Midge is part of is called Happy Family.
This is Alan, Midge’s husband, and Ryan, their son. Midge and Alan were married in 1991, according to Mattel.
This is the whole Happy Family line–Alan and Ryan, Midge and baby, and grandparents.
The pregnant Midge doll was quickly pulled from the market because of protests that Midge might be interpreted as a single mother. Mattel argued that Midge and Alan had been married for years, but conservative groups argued that since she was sold separately, girls could get the wrong message and think she wasn’t married.
Comments 14
Anonymous — March 29, 2008
I think it's interesting that people were apparently concerned about a single mother but not a single father - note "Alan" and girl are also sold separately from "Midge."
Girl — March 22, 2009
I'm young, and I remember wanting this doll so badly.
leah — May 1, 2009
pregnant barbies are freaking amazing! it shows the real world now days...
lala — May 26, 2009
i think it's sad that such dolls are made for young girls to play with. it can corrupt their young minds and send out the wrong message in terms of teen pregnancies.....
Anonymous — May 29, 2009
im going to get the toys so you dont need to show off
REi — July 12, 2009
When the happy family set came out i begged my mom for it. I still have midge and baby. I see no reason why there shouldnt be a pregnant doll it should be up to the parents to decide whats best for their family. meaning if they dont like it then they dont buy it. before midge came out I was stuffing my dolls dresses anyway. My parents had my brother when i was 15 months old and my sister had my nephew when i was 7 (she is 13 years older than me) pregnancy and babies have surrounded me my whole life, and I see nothing wrong with this doll. Now, if midge and alan had their "interlocking puzzle pieces" that would be reason for concern, but every expecting parent with an older child tries to explain it as easily and simply as possible. My mom used to tell me that "God put the baby there" and thats just how i thought of it.
1619942012 — June 28, 2010
i once owned this doll set, but never had alan and ryan, but midge has a wedding ring. Instead of getting rid of it why couldnt they sold it together????
Steph — October 29, 2010
Maybe it was the "Happy Family" text on the box that enraged them. Because a happy family headed by a single mom is an outlandish idea! Who ever heard of such a thing?
Oh right- everyone outside of Focus on the Family.
WANTED: Barbie Pregnant Midge Doll - My Little Pony Trading Post — September 26, 2011
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Blix — January 16, 2012
I think we should make our own toys if we are going to get so worked up. Or just sell all of them separately. As a kid I always mixed and matched dolls in different families anyway. The kids who play with these probably don't give a rip if the family set is a certain way. It's called imagination. Let's play with rocks and twigs.
Abbey — January 2, 2014
Whenever I saw a pregnant woman when I was little i never got any 'wrong ideas' and I never got a 'corrupted mind' My mum just told me that you just had to ask god for a baby and then that's how women grow babies.
Tatum Nibler — June 25, 2019
This makes me physically sick. The first time I saw this video I was at work and I had to go to the restroom and cry. I can't even imagine how scared those parents were for the safety of their children and no idea what this was all about.