Worried about my 18 year old son buying joke shirts from Afflecks Palace

[ForSparklyFatball]

Hi everyone, I’m after some advice because I’m really not sure if I’m overreacting or not. My son is 18 and has started going into Manchester at weekends with his university mates. They’ve been spending time in Afflecks Palace, which I know is full of alternative stalls, but he came back yesterday with a couple of t-shirts from the shop on the top floor that does the t-shirt printing.
One of them says “Don’t bully me, I’ll cum” and the other was along similar lines with crude sexual humour. He thought they were hilarious and just a bit of edgy fun, but I’m honestly concerned. At 18 he’s an adult, yet these kinds of slogans seem to normalise really objectifying and inappropriate attitudes, especially towards women and sex. I’ve tried speaking to him about it calmly, explaining why it bothers me, but he just laughed it off and said it’s only a joke.
Has anyone else come across these sorts of shirts in Afflecks or had their own son or daughter bring something similar home? Am I making too much of it, or is this worth having a firmer conversation about? Any thoughts on how to approach it without it escalating would be really helpful. Thanks.

Oh stop. You are acting crazy. You cannot confront the store manager . 🤣

why? do you think their grown ass sensibilities will be all offended like you? Newsflash.. other grown ass adults do not care, will also wear them, and think it's funny.

You avoid it if you don't like it, but stop trying to make everyone agree with your views.

Is this an advert for afflecks ?

man I loved that place, I’m in my 50s and still appreciate an inappropriate tshirt

I think they'd understand that in this day and age of women being assaulted, that showing those t shirts to impressionable boys is a very unwise thing to do. And if they don't listen, I can always start an online boycott.

I had a hoody with “fuck” in the style of the Ford logo when I was at uni. Seems like a totally normal thing to do really.

Making a huge deal is ott. He’ll probably move on at some point. Telling his girlfriend to bin them is inappropriate.

There’d be bleach in my washing machine. If he didn’t like that he could move out and do his own laundry.

Kids can't say or do shit these days without having some kind of weird ass label slapped on them and adults trauma dumping their shit on them.

It's aggravating to see it and I am glad kids are rebelling. My DCs wouldn't wear a shirt around me I didn't like, so agree boundaries between kids and parents but to be triggered to violence over words?

Have a care!

I still love afflecks palace! Honestly, leave him to it. You find it offensive, people his own age age would prob find it cringey. Your mother disapproving of your clothing is fuel to the fire at that age. Wearing it and people his own age rolling their eyes or taking the pee is much more likely to stop him wearing it.

Thank you! Someone with sense. Its horrible isn't it? I may try to bleach it if he goes out and I'm alone with it.

Will you accept you are being unreasonable if enough people say it? Doesn't sound like you will, so why ask the question?

I thought I'd be understood by my fellow Mums. I'm the only one, well me and Alexxa with sense!

AP is mint. You do realise it's not one shop, it's lots of shops?

I think you need to build a bridge and get over it OP.

oh yeah.. criminal damage now is it? Great example to show your son.. that if he doesn't like something his girlfriends wears, its ok for him to destroy it.

Fantastic Parenting. So on point.

Okay so your going to the shop on the top floor to complain.
Are you gonna kick off in the downstairs one also. What about the lass on the second floor that may not have one printed on the shelf but can whip one up in seconds.

Please what time are you going, I need a laugh
I can think of at least 10 shops you need to have a word with 😂

I was with you until you started throwing around 'misogynist' and other nonsense and putting your past trauma on a t-shirt.

Just tell him to not wear it around you. Don't try to rally troupes against your son, including your DH and your sons GF.

It's weird.

Yes I'm aware what AP is. I just assumed they were more inclusive and welcoming of people.

I don't think you understand how shock factor works

Is there other offensive stalls? I will have a word with one or two more if I have to.

I can't think of a more inclusive place than AP.

You're trolling now. Reporting you.

Well they need to stop degrading women. Older women especially. We get enough of that from our husbands. "MIlf" and "Gilf" its a disgrace.

Yes lots some have deals if you buy more than one they get cheaper!

What time we meeting?

You’re being ridiculous. There are thousands of places that sell T-shirts like that, online and shops
this isn’t a battle to pick

I only really have a bone to pick with one. But if they change, others can too.

Oh god I can just imagine the crazy woman going round AP telling shopkeepers off..maybe we should warn them..