Kimberly Boyd from Hasbro told Fast Company that children often used their Potato Heads to make families and the change will give them a blank slate.
"Kids like dressing up the toy, then playing out scenarios from their life. This often takes the form of creating little potato families, because they're learning what it means to be in a family."
"Culture has evolved," she said. "Kids want to be able to represent their own experiences. The way the brand currently exists — with the "Mr" and "Mrs" — is limiting when it comes to both gender identity and family structure."
Reaction has been swift to the news, with broadcasters like Piers Morgan and self-identified "bro dudes" taking issue with the change.
Others remarked that the conservative reaction to Potato Head's announcement was overblown.
- Additional reporting, NZ Herald
