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 think the issue of girls being sexualised is the same as boys being pressured into being aggressive. Both issues are of the same importance.
I am a mother of a boy and a girl and I see these threads emerging as they grow up.
A better slogan could be "act your age not your shoe size."
I have let TV into our house and the Disney effect is really evident with the "beautiful princess" and Captain Hook/Peter Pan. We were wondering where my son had heard the phase "I'm going to kill you" and we soon realised it was from watching The Jungle Book.
Disney has been with us for decades but it seems to have spread from the TV into the clothes shops and the toy shops.
I do believe in supply and demand - we are not forced to buy the products. Maybe its a case of more awareness for parents about the effects they could be having on their children by always trying to please them and give in to the latest fad etc.

Next online customer department are 'looking into the matter I've raised' - I complained about their refusal to back campaign. I guess I'll get an e-mail soon which tells me why - anyone know what their official response has been to complaints?

Hello,

We've now approached some retailers who somehow escaped out attention initially - thanks nappyaddict!

Have now approached:

New Look
Ethel Austin
Mackays
Bhs
River Island
Selfridges
No Added Sugar
Pumpkin Patch

No problem onebatmother. What were MN's thoughts on the other shops I mentioned.

(Zara
Mamas and Papas
H&M
Peacocks
Adams
Babies R Us
David & Goliath
Topshop)

Also can't remember if you said you'd got through to Brantano - think they were closed when you first tried?

Does anyone have any advice on how to explain to a 10 year old girl why it is not a good idea for her to wear a padded bra and make-up? I've explained she's a child and she should just enjoy her childhood, she accepts this and actually wants to stay a child. Her problem is that she's in no hurry to grow up but as a shy child, she's feeling pressurised by other girls in her class, one even telling her she has no self-respect for not wearing a padded bra. She is actually in the minority and feels socially isolated.

Please let's not forget Woolworth's on-line, and M&Co might like to commit as they carry a fashion range for girls, which on the whole stays the right side of decency but some lines might be deemed unsuitable; some of their slogans could be re-evaluated in the light of this campaign.
We can not return to a 1950's ideal, because girls of seven/eight are growing out of the frilly/pretty stage. I think girls clothes have always aped those of there mothers and this should be recognised as something girls like to do. Growing up in the sixties, my clothes were styled to be fashionable sometimes(if I was lucky!) So I think we need to be clear about what pays lip service to the trends of the day, without the overt sexualisation which has become so prevelent in recent years and which most of us agree must stop. Our daughters will not thank us though, if we do not acknowledge their likes and dislikes, and try and work with them as they develop their own personal style. We need to be clear and not confuse the issue of sexualisation, with our own snobbery in terms of style and colour. If my eight year old wore the clothes that I wanted her to wear all the time, they would not be left hanging in the wardrobe. I have learned the pleasure of compromise and stopped wasting my money. Of course we should dress our little girls as little girls for as long as we can, and continue to do so with a nod to fashion as they mature, while guiding them in the right direction. Perhaps we need to get this issue into the more popular press, so the debate reaches a wider audience. Since it is the parent with her wits about her and some clarity to her thinking who is going to buy into this campaign. With the Guardian etc. we could end up just preaching to the converted.

Dear RubyLorelei,
all you can do is to encourage your daughter to trust her own feelings about what she wants to do. Validate her choice 'not to' as much as you can, and share the debate with her, in a way you feel is appropriate. Then she might feel empowered to defend her choice, when pressurised. The girl who accused her of having no self respect has obviously no clue as to what this actually means. This could be pointed out to your DD. There must be other girls who feel as your daughter does? Perhaps encouraging her to bond with girls on her wave length...home for tea?
Nothing wrong with a bit of experimenting at home with makeup I would have thought, as an extension of dress up and exploration, but not as a necessary given to be worn out as a matter of self respect...jeez!
Are ten year olds really allowed to wear make up and unnecessary badded bras to school? This seems outrageous and I would question the school for allowing it.
Hope this is of some use. I really have to sign off! I'm supposed to be spring cleaning my DD's bedroom!

Hello.

Just to let you know that we just had this in from John Lewis:

"We can confirm that John Lewis is a YES for backing your "Let Girls be Girls" Campaign. Thanks for inviting us to come on board."

Hurrah!

Do we think this padded bra in Debenhams is appropiate?

Also what about these shoes?

grey boots

brown boots

wedges

Perhaps MNHQ could consider removing the ad for 'hottest brazilian girls - ads powered by Google' at the bottom of the Let Girls be Girls campaign home page here

It's probably a genuine oversight but not the greatest link to have on the page eh?

Hello again. Fat Face are now on board, too. Hurrah!

Helen - brazilian girls still there for me - far bottom right of the page, is a googlead. agree with oscarsmum - needs getting rid of if possible!

Brazilian girls there for me too. Unfortunate yes, and NOT appropriate!

I know that shouldn't be funny, but..!!! Such are the limitations of computer generated auto advertising, I suppose.

Have we got sainsburys on the list their dressing up says "boys dressing up" on the doctor, police officer and knight's outfits.

Legoland clothes are all pink for grsl with cute girls on them, and boys clothes with aspirational messages on. and don't get me started on the those pink bricks and belville

thought for the day

I see Debenhams is on board, but its site is still selling these crop bra tops for 7YOs

What are people's views on this? I think it makes a good point about the danger of exaggerrating the extent of this (Scottish parliament report looks like its worth a read) because it makes parents interpret their child's normal developing behaviour as being negatively influenced by 'sexualising' forces, when in fact it is normal curiosity.

www.spiked-online.com/index.php/site/article/8615/

Hello. Sorry to hear Brazilian girls are still there

Can you please tell John Lewis that there are, in fact, women doctors and male nurses? Because my mini-campaign of moving all the dressing up clothes around doesn't appear to be getting through.

Some 7/8/9 year olds are starting to develop though so would need a "starter" bra and to me that looks the ideal thing. Not too grown up but gives a bit of support for that first stage of developing breasts.

Hello everyone - Pumpkin Patch signed up today, hoorah.

Not all of us will agree on any issue, but the number of posts in response to this action by Mumsnet shows it has hit a nerve, and is 'important'.

I am keen to see the refinement of the focus and expectations of the campaign, and applaud Mumsnet for tackling the issue of inappropriately sexualised clothing for young girls. It is appropriate given the forum's focus for them to be concerned with an issue relevant to mothers and their children.

I have read maybe a third of the 600 posts to date, and have gathered padded bikini tops for 7 year olds were first on shelves, and then removed. That can only be good.

Without questioning consumers, and associated media attention, we are at the mercy of marketers who don't mind how our children feel, and what their self-esteem and self-imagery entails, as long as profits are good.

I have a son, and another baby on the way. And I hope they will reap the benefits of engaged consumer-led activism, and the society that results from active debate on these ideas.