I woke up early this morning, prepared my cup of coffee with extra cream; turned on the TV to see the weather only to be shocked by the news of the day. No, not Japan, or the Middle East, but Abercrombie & Fitch selling a push up bikini tops for young girls. My jaw hit the floor. I was puzzled, why? I can remember being a retail buyer many, many years ago and how we would sit in the merchandise meeting to present what we felt were potential new trends. I find it hard to believe that someone placed this child’s push up bikini top on a table and everyone agree that this was going to be the next child’s trend.
Did they have a discussion about what’s right and what wrong or did they sit with smiles on their face thinking of all the slaves to fashion that will go running out to purchased them and then have their child prance in public with this top on. Do any of the buyers have children and what was on their mind during this presentation? I am sure pedophilias will have a new candy store to go to, but its not them that is my concern because they are what they are. I am worried about the young girls that will wear these tops and attract unwarranted attention, which can devalue how they see themselves and their own personal worth. This is about children who before they can count to 100 will know that they can attract the eyes of others and not know why. This is nothing short of in your face baby porn. For once the media got this one right. This is simply sexually objectifying young female children. When I went to post the link for the blog this is want I found. Obviously, someone realized that maybe this is not really a good idea.
It should be noted that Abercrombie Kids has a history of sexualization of children’s fashion. If you remember a few years ago they promoted thongs for young girls. When I say young kids, let me be clear, I am talking toddlers. Sadly this one did not disappear as fast of the push up top. However, I will not place all the blame on Abercrombie, but parents that will go out and purchase this in the name of “the new thing” or “all the kids will be wearing it.” They should be referred to parental counseling classes. After all you can’t sell what people are not buying. This is one thing that no parent should be buying but instead they should be picketing any store that promotes any children merchandise that will degrade the value of our youth to mere sexual objects.
Are we as a society so agreeable that seeing an 8 year old with a push up bikini top is to be considered the norm? Are we to the point of placing all the blame on the media, Internet, and advertising verses being responsible parents? I hope not.
Posts
2 comments:
Two thumbs up McBride. Like the article and I totally agree with you. It concerns me that the retail market is shaping the minds of our young people to think that sexy is a push-up swimwear designed for a more mature woman. Just my thoughts on the subject
Great account of when enough is enough. this is way past the mark.
Post a Comment