Wal-Mart Yanks Pregnant Barbie Pal from Shelves:

“Barbie’s long-time pal, Midge — now married and pregnant — was yanked from Wal-Mart Stores Inc. shelves earlier this month after customers complained about the doll, a company spokeswoman said.

Midge is sold as part of the “Happy Family” set, wearing a tiny wedding ring and a detachable stomach with a curled-up baby inside. Her husband, Alan, and 3-year-old child Ryan are sold separately.” Yahoo! News

Wal-Mart declined to comment on whether shoppers’ objections were based on the suggestion of teenage pregnancy embodied in the doll’s being sold alone, rather than only in a ‘happy family’ unit. Parents who bought this doll for their children would have to discuss pregnancy, also unpalatable for Wal-Mart’s customer base.