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American Girl announced they would be releasing an American Boy Doll for the first time in the company’s history.

The new boy doll, Logan Everett, will be part of their contemporary collection, and is a “friend and bandmate” of another new doll, Tenney.

During the announcement, shared on Valentine’s Day, American Girl spokeswoman Stephanie Spanos shared that fans had long been asking for a boy doll, “probably for as long as American Girl has been around, for 30 years.”

Entity reports on Logan Everett, the first American Boy Doll in the company's 30-year history.

Logan Everett is the first American Boy Doll ever offered by the company.

“We’re hopeful Logan will appeal to both girls and boys . . . For boys, we know Logan can speak directly to them and give them something unique and special to call their own,” she said.

It’s a big move for the company, which has a collection of over 30 dolls over the years, but has never before sold a boy doll.

Of course, American Girl, which is owned by Mattel, expects to see the introduction of the first male doll increase sales. This comes after Mattel saw a spike in sales last year, after the release of a more diverse doll selection.

Entity reports on the American Girl Boy and other new dolls such as BeForever doll Nanea Mitchell.

In addition to the American Boy Doll, the announcement revealed a new collection, including new BeForever doll Nanea Mitchell, a young girl living in Hawaii at the start of World War II. (top left)

But the representation inherent in finally releasing a boy doll is also important. The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media highlights the importance of representation for children.

The research-based organization, which works to eliminate bias, challenge stereotypes and create role models in entertainment that influences children ages 11 and under, explains that “omission or negative gender stereotypes in media can generate life-long imprints that can shape feelings of self-worth and behavior for children.”

Enter Logan Everett. Little boys who want to play with dolls, but perhaps have felt badly about it since there weren’t as many boy dolls will now have that opportunity.

RELATED: Forget Barbie and G.I. Joe: Buy Your Kids Gender-Neutral Toys

Having that chance as a child to fearlessly play with any toys, without limits, is important, because as counsellor Joanne Bagshaw, PhD, told Entity, children “learn about themselves and the world around them through exploration and play.”

“When children are only exposed to gender stereotyped toys, stereotypes are reinforced which limits their self-exploration and their understanding of who they are and their role in society,” she explains.

Logan can now be a part in chipping away at some of those long-held stereotypes when it comes to children and playtime. 

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