Barbie’s Little Math Problem

WASHINGTON — Barbie, the plastic doll that Ken and millions of little girls love, should keep her mouth shut about mathematics.

So says the American Assn. of University Women, which wants Mattel Toys to recall the “Teen Talk Barbie Doll” because it may blurt out electronically, horror of horrors, “Math class is tough.”

This, the women’s group says, could be a blow to a girl’s confidence.

“Pre-teen girls most likely to play with Teen Talk Barbie are at the highest risk for losing confidence in their math ability,” said association President Sharon Shuster.

She sent a letter to the El Segundo-based firm asking it to recall or reprogram the dolls so that they do not express such an idea. Mattel had no immediate response to the group’s request.