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

Pleased to let you know that Boots is the latest retailer to sign up to Let Girls Be Girls

I'm really pleased to see that the whole issue of girls clothing has been brought to the floor. As my DD is nearly 3 and at easter I went to our local card/party supplier to try and get her some rabbit ears for dressing up. Do you think I could find anything suitable in the dressing up section? Of course not, unless any-one thinks its a good idea for a nearly 3yr old to be dressed as a bunny-girl! Appalled I left the shop, but now wish I'd made my views clear to the shop owner.

My other bug-bear on this issue is Lelli-Kelly shoes, and the advert for the very pretty shoes. The shoes are great, but they come with a mobile phone that opens up into make-up!!!!! Eyeshadow and lipgloss on children is just wrong - yes she has been in my make up bag, what kid doesn't? But to make make-up part of an enticement offer to children is surely trying to get them to grow up way too quickly. Perhaps they should be on the list too?

Let's put Lelli Kelli on the list as well then.

Ah now, ban Lelli Kelli and I might just join the campaign. Never mind the free make up, the shoes are bloody awful, hideous pink, chavvy, sparkly things.

pleased to see Next are now listed as 'still considering' - that's what their feedback to me said and it sounded quite encouraging.

Can we add kids magazines to this campaign?

My girls love magazines, but we always end up clashing when they want one with a make-up/lip-gloss toy on the front. My girls are 7 and 4 and like "Sparkle World" etc. These are magazines aimed at little girls, not teenagers. Why do they have lip-gloss on them?

And don't start me on bloody Lelli Kelly.........

Hello everyone - sorry for radio silence there..

Just to confirm that Next have indeed contacted us again and are re-thinking their position. We're having a meeting with them next month (that's May, not some weird Next Month) and they sound pretty positive, so finger's crossed.

We also heard from TK Maxx today, they've signed up too - good news.

nappyaddict and gibbo - we've contacted H&M but not heard back from them at all I'm afraid - and Adams has apparently gone into liquidation.

Still chasing up some odds and ends on your list nappy - sorry for delay!

Hi. I was in Ethel Austins earlier hoping to pick up a few kids summer basics cheap and was erm... surprised by the swimsuits on offer. I was just wondering if anyone else had noticed that they are stocking padded bikinis (from size 8-9 so far as I could see, possibly lower)? I was a bit after all the fuss about primark's tbh.

went into zara today... the bikins they have on display for 4 year olds are disgusting. with little cups for breasts. yuck! what mother would really put a 4 year old in this trashy, tarty bikini??!!
sorry rant over!!!

I have just been given a free magazine from my 4yo daughter's nursery full of party ideas... there are a whole raft of 'makeover' parties. These are aimed at 4-12 yos with 'age appropriate' make up. Is make up ever appropriate for a 4 year old? I know a lot of people would see this as 'girly fun', but I think this just encourages them to be focused on their appearance at an age when that shouldn't be an issue.

Very depressing.

Now I wasn't watching but I just heard "because I like pink things because I'm a girl" on an m&s advert. Well at least I think I did or did I hear wrong? I can't quite believe it

The 'wholesome' disney shop is selling Little mermaid triangle bikinis!

i went into the local branch of ethel austin today to look for decent summer dress for dd. i coudln't find one but i did find a triangle bikini for a 7 year old and as a staff member was nearby i asked her why she thougth it was acceptable for ea to stock such items, saying that i thought it was disgusting and degrading, as well as disrespectful towards young girls. her reply was that she thought the same way and that it was the decsionof the suppliers to stock the bikini because of demand (isn't a basic law of business based on supply and demand?) i mentioned the mumsnet campaign, she then said she would talk to her line manager and ask them to look at the campaign.

i was shaking like a leaf but i think that if enough people went to their local branches and asked them to look at the mumsnet campaign then this might well convince ethel austin to join in with the other stores not stocking age -inappropiate clothing.

Disney Shop would be another good one to target then. Adams still sell their stuff online even though all the shops have now closed down.

Well done MrsM - we haven't heard back from Ethel Austin yet, I will chase them.

Bad (and perhaps rather surprising) news - Gap has decided not to sign up to the campaign: they tell us that they "whole-heartedly agree that children?s clothing should be age-appropriate.... However, as a company we typically do not endorse or join one parents? organization over another?s. We prefer to work with all parents, soliciting and incorporating their feedback to improve our products and store experiences."

Onwards and upwards, though.

facebook is a v good idea Strawberry

Yes it is Strawberry - will explore.

Good news - Zara just signed up to the campaign. Brillo.

onebat - so what do we do if a retailer signs up who is considered to be violating the terms of the charter? There have been some complaints about Zara on here - ?

Franch, I think the plan is that if there's a convincing consensus that a particular item exploits children's sexuality - as opposed to just not being particularly 'tasteful' - then we'll approach the retailer and ask them to respond.

Someone on here mentioned padded bikinis for 4yos in Zara?

Has everyone seen this article in Guardian about labelling on bra tops for six year olds?

This is the M&S statement: "The garment is designed to be worn under clothing and doesn't feature any support or padding, which makes it totally appropriate for its intended age range. All future packaging of the product will be correctly labelled and we have already altered its online description. We are totally committed to ensuring our clothing offer is age appropriate, which is why we are proud to be supporting the Mumsnet campaign Let Girls be Girls."

Not surprised Gap said no to the campaign - they wouldn't be able to sell those ridiculous Stella McCartney bikinis for 18 month olds at £50 a pop if they did.

I'm pleased with how many shops have signed up so far. Hopefully there will be many more to come. So who's left to badger?

Mamas and Papas
H&M
Peacocks
Adams
Babies R Us
David & Goliath
Disney Shop
Lelli Kelly
Tammy
Topshop Mini

Anyone else we've missed?

"The garment is designed to be worn under clothing and doesn't feature any support or padding, which makes it totally appropriate for its intended age range. "

So what purpose does it serve other than to look like a bra??