Campaign to stop retailers selling products that prematurely sexualise children - let us know what you think...

[JustineMumsnet]

So quite a few folk on the MN campaigns thread mentioned that an issue they'd like to see MN get involved in is the premature sexualisation of children.

So we've put together an outline for a potential campaign, along the lines of Let girls be girls, summarising the issues and some of the research. The aim is to encourage retailers to make a simple, public pledge that commits them to selling only products which do not sexualise children.

Please do have a read and let us know your thoughts, ideas, suggestions.

Thanks.
MNHQ

I'd be interested in hearing the actual response from Next; was it just a no, or did they send a statement?

Could we add Zara to the target list?

Maybe Primark need to be signed up too. I reckon they'd be interested to boost their image after the padded bra fiasco this week...?

OK so target list:

Zara
Mamas and Papas
Mackays
Ethel Austin
BHS
H&M
Peacocks
Adams
Babies R Us
Selfridges

River Island have just entered the childrens clothing market. I can't look at the site on my phone to see what they're like.

A David & Goliath tshirt that says "Lock up your daughters" so perhaps we need to target David & Goliath as well?

And a tshirt with the rolling stones mouth - I remember someone on here finding that offensive.

No Added Sugar could be added to the target list as well.

I really hate they are trying to belittle girls. Boys clothing is so much more sturdy and long lasting/wearing and the girls stuff is not.

Girls wearing ballet pumps that will eventually damage their feet whilst the boys wear strong sturdy shoes.

Playboy clothing for children i think is really tacky. Yuck yuck and totally inappropriate for young children.

nappyaddict, and Primark please.

Anyone contacted Boden? I love Boden,they might sign up this, the clothes are soo retro and traditional. My daughter 5yr old went party couple of weeks ago, all the girls aged 5-6 were dressed in grey, black, dusky pink,animal prints mostly from Next and Primark etc... She was dressed in bright red flower dress, and red leggings.

So, rate the River Island girls clothing.

You've got to be joking! It is quite unbelievable that Mothercare has joined this campaign - they're only in it for the marketing and Mumsnet should know better than to fall for it.How much are you getting guys??

The reason its unbelievable is that that the Baby K range has some VERY questionable clothing: www.mothercare.com/b/161616031/277-8677272-2010663?_encoding=UTF8&rs=161616031&finderFlag=0&v iewID=results&mcb=core&size=36&rh=n%3A161616031&page=1

'LBD' for your little girl anyone? Black trim top? Black velour tracksuit?

In the past, there has been pvc look jackets and a whole load of clothing which would not look out of place on Sunset Boulevard (hookers end).

I'm sorry, but this is hypocritcal, commercial crap.

Best way to get shops not to stock inappropiate clothing is not to buy it! Campaigns are just a waste of money and effort - do something more useful instead like donating time and money to protect at risk children or those in care or those who can't afford any clothes - let alone inappropriate ones.

If you get John Lewis to stop labelling their clothes "boy" and "girl" it would help.

DD is officially a john lewis boy as I bought the sweat pant and sweat top for her to play football in. Girls range was thin and pink and not suitable for playing outdoors on a cold day.

Also, the dresses say "girl". Really? I nearly bought one for my friends DS, good job they labelled it for me, I'd never have twigged it otherwise.

Some clothes should be unisex, I have to go into the boys department for: decent sandals, sunglasses that don't fall off your face when you run around, rucksacks you can get more than 1 hairclip in, any outdoor sports gear, shoes you can go on long walks with...

why are girls stereotyped so early as "sitting around looking pretty"????? Dear God, the early women who fought to discard the restricting corsets must be wondering why they bothered.

Can't we have "activity clothes" for both sexes that are hard wearing?

I found Polarn de Pyret last week...I nearly bought the shop. DD now has leggings and tops that are: yellow, orange, red, blue!!!! Really good quality, practical, bright, fun...just like my DD.

Oh, and fab socks with sea creatures on.

I think this a great idea. And I don't think campaigns are a waste of time and effort when it's from a big and popular website like mumsnet. The fact that they are in the news over it proves that, I think.

There's no doubt that Mumsnet is doing a great job using its popularity to make retailers think - but the problem for me is their partnership with Mothercare - when Mothercare blatantly peddles clothes that make young girls - even toddlers - look dubiously 'adult'. And of course what one mother think looks tarty, another one thinks is fabulous. Still, one by one we can try and reverse trends, but then one day it will all come full circle again.

Mumsnet - what we need to do is educate parents not to buy this stuff, for parents to think its not acceptable. Shops are highly strategic marketing machines, they only sell what people want to buy.

So where do we begin...?

As the mother of one of each sex, I find the girl issue extremely frightening. From the moment she turned 5 and became too big for 'little girl' clothes, I have found it harder and harder to find clothes that I deem suitable and not totally sexual. Is it not surprising that girls get targetted when they are being encouraged to like clothes that are alluring and revealing ? Well done everyone for doing this and I am behind it all the way !!

Along with the tactic of naming and shaming those retailers who sell "unsuitable" clothing can we also name and PRAISE those retailers who are more responsible? If retailers see the good PR retailers such as Boden (IMO) etc get from selling good, trendy, well made clothes maybe they will sit up and take notice.

I am only back to MN after a long break but I fully support this campaign. I am involved in this kind of awareness raising work and will come back later and post links to some fab sites for girls themselves to check about the messages in media, marketing and clothing etc.

I have 2 daughters and I'm 100% behind this campaign, though I do wonder how much these retailers are driving the demand and how much is them responding. I know some mums personally who take great delight in dressing their 4 and 5 year old daughters in "nightclub" style clothing. The campaign really needs to find a way to make mums and the children themselves find this unacceptable.

Oh and by the way, as a long time campaigner I have to disagree with LousyLu above. Consumer campaigns definitely DO work! Just look at how many places now sell fairly traded cotton, coffee, chocolate, bananas etc.

I have 2 DSs and so does not affect me as much but a great campaign and very welcome. Well done.

Something for the future but perhaps we also need to have a much needed discussion about the constant bombardment of sexulised images and references on TV before the 8.00 pm watershed. Essentially, the same problem in a different medium that affects children just as much.

While we are on the subject - why do shop sell bikinis for toddlers and babies? I was in GAP the other day and just couldn't imagine putting my little girl in one! Not ofcourse forgetting the high risk from sunburn with all that skin exposure!

And I wholly agree with the argument of this campaign, however I feel strongly that how a girl feels about her appearance is down to their mothers/parents views about themselves and the way they dress. How would you argue the fact to a 7 yr old that your allowed to wear a padded bikini and she is not. "Because I said so..." just doesn't cut it for me.

Preteen I wasn't even aware of my appearance to others and it's possible effects, so why do kids now? As shown in the recent Jo Frost series on channel 4, girls as young as 6 are aware of their figures and the notion of what "looks good" and what doesn't. Although not really undestanding why, most were imitating their mothers opinions.

In summary yes, retailers should not be selling these items. However none would have been made or purchased if there was no demand for them. And the demand comes from our own homes...

"How would you argue the fact to a 7 yr old that your allowed to wear a padded bikini and she is not. "

easily. "because I am an adult and you are 7"

Although I don't need padded bikinis, I have enough padding of my own :-)

As a strong feminist, I have no doubt that the sexualisation of girls and young women is reaching pandemic levels. By stealth and in the name of 'beauty' and 'being like mum', sexual grooming of girls happens everyday, in the most subtle ways. if we dont fight this issue and challenge this then we let our children down badly.
I was delighted when I read what action mumsnet took up with this ghastly store! This is feminist action at its best and for women who read this and who think feminism is about extremes, let me say this is exactly what its all about. Well done.