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Original poster

Political overtones in T shirts for kids?

33 replies

SalAShus · 01/04/2010 12:43

DD was given this top as an 11th birthday present. DH was annoyed as he sees the inclusion of the CND logo as too political for a child who is too young to form her own opinions, and felt that it was an inappropriate present. Should she wear it?

OP posts:
myfirstbump · 01/04/2010 12:48

I wouldn't see the problem with it personally, but then I'm not politically minded in the slightest and wouldn't know which bit of it was the CND logo. Or what CND stands for

Think it's a pretty t-shirt though.

Embarrassed about my complete political naivety now. And I'm supposed to be voting for someone in the next GE???

[rushes off to research]

OnlyWantsOne · 01/04/2010 12:49

TBH it's up to you, its not as shocking as the "All daddy wanted was a blow job" shirt...Which I have really seen on a real child. Horrific.

ElleBing · 01/04/2010 12:50

It's more of an environmental statement than a political one, right?

I think your DH is probably reading a bit too much into it. It's not like anyone bought her a t-shirt with a far-right logo on it or anything. You usually find with these "eco" clothes that a portion of the money paid goes to environmental causes (though GAP are notorious for being very ethically unsound!) so the person who bought this may have donated some cash to an ecological cause as well as buying your DC a gift. Bit more thoughtful than some Bratz/High School Musical crap.

OnlyWantsOne · 01/04/2010 12:51

I'd be much more concerned about the ethics of GAP and the way the clothes are produced.

mosschops30 · 01/04/2010 12:51

lol think youre reading slightly too much into it.
If she likes the top, let her wear it.

runnybottom · 01/04/2010 12:52

Do you think that when they grow up they won't agree with nuclear disarmament? I'd be more worried about what you are teaching them then.....

weegiemum · 01/04/2010 12:53

My 10yo dd wears a top with the CND (Campaign for Nuclear Disarmerment for myfirstbump) logo on.

Her choice - she knows exactly what it is about and wears it as a form of support!

weegiemum · 01/04/2010 12:54

My dd's isn't a GAP one though - we don't do GAP!

ooojimaflip · 01/04/2010 12:55

You are overthinking this.

Beveridge · 01/04/2010 12:58

If you feel your DD understands what the top stands for and agrees with it, of course she should wear it.

Sorry but I disagree with your DH - you are never too young to have an opinion. It may be a little simplistic at this age but you can and should be encouraged to have one at any age, provided of course you can back it up with evidence, however basic.

I teach plenty of 11 years old with strong opinions and my heart sinks when I am met with a "dunno" or a shrug when we are debating a controversial issue.

myfirstbump · 01/04/2010 12:58

Ooh, thanks weegie.

In which case, I would agree with what everyone else is saying. Surely that's a positive message?

Onlywantsone at that t-shirt. Ouch...

TinaSparkles · 01/04/2010 13:12

I think it's now devolved from being the CND logo, to a universal symbol for peace.

I got my DD3 a tshirt from H&M last year, with embroidered flowers in the shape of the sign.

That's surely a leaf though on that one.

Original poster
SalAShus · 01/04/2010 13:17

Thanks for the responses. TBH I thought it was fine and DD should wear it. It was DH who had the problem, particularly as it was a gift, so he thought the sender was imposing their views on DD. DD likes it so that's fine with me.

OP posts:
BessieBoots · 01/04/2010 13:26

May I just hijack the thread and ask why people are boycotting Gap?

ElleBing · 01/04/2010 13:34

Gap are notorious for being ethically unsound; using cheap child labour/badly sourced materials for garments. If you Google "Gap ethics" it shouldn't be too hard to suss out.

Alambil · 01/04/2010 15:02

am I being thick? It looks like a leaf to me

however, Gap is dodgey and nasty, so I'd not keep it on those principles instead

lowrib · 01/04/2010 15:29

My DS had a CND t-shirt at 6 weeks!

I was gutted when he grew out of it.

IMO there's not problem with children wearing political symbols if they're for nice lefty politics. but completely wrong if for anything else

Seriously though, as TinaSparkes says it is now often used as a universal symbol for peace so I wouldn't worry to much about it.

Or, you could use it as a starting point for a discussion about what CND stands for and let her choose if she wants to wear it.

She's old enough to understand - I was her age in the 80s and there was plenty of talk about the nuclear threat then.

TaurielTest · 01/04/2010 15:44

When I was 11 I would have been livid if my dad (or anyone else) had suggested I was too young to have my own political opinions!
IKWYM though. I like the Fawcett Society t-shirts ("this is what a feminist looks like") but have resisted getting one for DS (who is not yet two) because, well, maybe he isn't one .

BitOfFun · 01/04/2010 15:49

I prefer this one

CND isn't really political though, these days, is it? It's more a sign for peace and love.

BessieBoots · 01/04/2010 17:01

Thanks, I shall google Gap.

grumpypants · 01/04/2010 17:09

I wore Lynx t-shirts (Your disgusting fur coat) to the horror of my mother at that age, so no, not too young to have an opinion. DD boycotts all sequinned items, and all child labour type shops as she and I have had discussions which evolved from innocent questions. But, I agree that a child is not a sandwich board for your own views (i even loathe pop/rock fan t-shirts on babies) and that it would be helpful to explain what it means. CND are one side of a debate, after all.

ElleBing · 01/04/2010 20:03

My LO has just acquired a Beatles t-shirt but he does really love Yellow Submarine and I Am The Walrus

I just did a typo that read "t-shits". We should re-christen these awful slogan t-shirts as t-shits.

Missus84 · 01/04/2010 20:09

Well, I think that particular t-shirt doesn't really have a political overtone. But I also have no problem with children wearing T-shirts with political overtones, regardless of whether it's their opinion or their parents.

All parents pass on their beliefs to their children, or at least they try to! Whether it's religion, politics or cultural values, children aren't growing up in a vacuum with no opinions whatsoever until they form their own.

EightiesChick · 01/04/2010 20:13

OnlyWantsOne at that t-shirt

I am always meaning to order a 'This is what a feminist looks like' t-shirt. May get one for DS when I do!

ASecretLemonadeDrinker · 01/04/2010 20:20

I was just about to say loads of poeple wear stuff with Che G. on and I bet 9/10 don't even know who he is!

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