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Wal-Mart pulls pregnant doll
World's No. 1 retailer takes doll set with pregnant mom off shelves after customer complaints.
December 25, 2002: 1:17 PM EST

NEW YORK (CNN) - There's no room for a pregnant Midge at Wal-Mart.

The world's largest retailer pulled Mattel's pregnant Midge doll from store shelves. The doll is being sold as part of the "Happy Family" set that included husband Allan and a son doll Ryan.

"Customers said they were not happy with the pregnant Midge doll so Wal-Mart removed the entire Happy Family set," said Melissa Berryhill, a spokeswoman for Wal-Mart. The sets were pulled two weeks ago.

The pregnant Midge doll wears a pink skirt and has a removable stomach, within which sits a baby. The box says "Mommy loves her new baby." The dolls come with a cradle and other baby gear.

Mattel did not return calls seeking comment. On its Barbie.com Web site the company advises parents the dolls are "a wonderful prop for parents to use with their children to role-play family situations."

The company posted an interview with a psychologist from the University of Southern California explaining the value of the collection.

"The pregnancy-themed Happy Family dolls complement children's strong interests in family relationships, and supports their social and emotional development," the psychologist, Jo Ann Farver, said in the interview.  Top of page




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