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MNHQ

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

782 replies

JustineMumsnet · 05/01/2010 12:58

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

OP posts:
MNHQ
HelenMumsnet · 14/05/2010 17:35

Hello.

Just thought you might like to see this - re M&S bikini furore...

SoupDragon · 15/05/2010 17:40

Personally, I think they should be thrown off the campaign if they've signed up to it.

SarahHM · 17/05/2010 15:01

I wholeheartedly support this campaign. Children should be allowed to be children, there's plenty of time for girls to learn about themselves when they are older, and they should be encouraged to see themselves as a child first (not a girl) in their formative years. It's normal to be curious as to how you are different from boys as a child, but to flaunt and emphasize this difference in order to make you stand out from your peers is just wrong at such a young age.

I'd be interested to hear why the retailers that declined to sign up to the campaign did so. I am seriously considering boycotting those retailers that don't sign up.

onebatmother · 18/05/2010 14:56

Today's Despatches:
No Added Sugar signs up - hooray!
H&M says no - gah.

Further business: Padded Bras

A couple of retailers have said that one of the reasons that they use padding is to provide a 'modesty layer'. They suggest that young girls who are beginning puberty feel self-conscious about the fact that the outline of their growing nipples is clearly visible through their clothing. Also that a normal bra can rub uncomfortably during this stage of development.

What do you think of these rationales?
Is there a difference between a 'moulded' bra and a padded, uplift bra? Or is a padded bra a padded bra, whichever way you look at it?

Very keen to know your thoughts on anything relating to this subject.

bluecardi · 19/05/2010 09:56

It's good shops have signed up but it's also for parents not to buy these items. If no one buys it shops wont sell it.

nappyaddict · 19/05/2010 15:29

I bought this bra for myself. It's not padded but it's thick enough to protect from nipple erection. That's the thickness that is OK IMO for pre-teen bras.

fusili · 19/05/2010 21:00

I haven't read all of this thread, but really think it would be worthwhile contacting Object www.object.org.uk/, which challenges 'sex object culture' in many forms. Perhaps they have a useful take on the campaign issues, or could add some more weight/research? Just a thought.

ilovebreadandjam · 19/05/2010 22:22

This is exactly why we started up Bread and Jam about a year ago. We were frustrated by the amount of clothes out there for our girls which was either covered in logos, or encouraging children to dress like adults. We wanted practical, but beautiful dresses for our kids that were simple, and robust.

Bread and Jam fully support the Let Girls be Girls campaign - let's hope that we can make a difference.

nappyaddict · 20/05/2010 10:58

Do you do boys stuff?

ilovebreadandjam · 20/05/2010 14:44

No, we don't yet - but perhaps in time... so far just girls' dresses - one simple style in a multitude of gorgeous prints.

Noggie · 21/05/2010 21:20

I dont take my daughter to the shops as a way of avoiding being asked to buy something I deem to be inappropriate. Find heels/bras/slogans etc totally horrendous and unnecessary

franch · 22/05/2010 08:51

I find the 'modesty layer' concept a bit weird. Can't remember needing such a thing myself. I started wearing a light cotton bra when I started to develop. It didn't rub. Why would it rub more than a padded bra? A padded bra is a padded bra, I think - and anyway aren't many of them being sold for very young, pre-pubescent girls? Isn't that our main issue?

Tanith · 29/05/2010 15:40

I've been mildly irritated for ages by the camoflage stuff and the "Here comes trouble!" logos for boys, but I think I've seen the rock-bottom pits with this one

Shellide · 01/06/2010 15:21

I think its excellent that Mumsnet has got involved with this. I am constantly worrying about my daughter, with the images she sees everyday, hears (Rihanna song!) which I change the channel now everytime its played!!.

When you also see clothes like this exploiting our children it is severely worrying. If everyone reacted like this to inappropriate content, material etc what a difference we could make!

MNHQ
KateMumsnet · 04/06/2010 19:55

Hello everyone - thanks nappy for your thoughts on padded bras - anyone else got any thoughts?

Newsflash: Next are now on board, hoorah!

mrsmharket · 05/06/2010 15:56

i have just been on the adams site to try and find a nice swimsuit for my 5 yo dd. i saw this instead

MultipleMumma · 06/06/2010 16:00

Hi everyone, I just joined today and found this discussion. As a mother of two three year old girls I have despaired of finding anything for them to wear that is both suitable and affordable. It has prompted me to start sewing again. My time is limited and it would be so nice to just be able to go into a shop & buy something nice.
Some of the clothing is beautiful up until the age of 12 -18 months. After that it is awful mostly. Why on earth do shops insist on age grouping such young & older girls clothes together - i.e 2-12? Why would I want my two year old to wear clothing that a 12 year old would and even then some of it is questionable for a 12 year old.
I really do support this campaign and wondered a couple of things to make it more widely spread,
1, Is there an official logo that a store/shop can display that a parent knows before they go in that the clothing is suitable.
2, Is there a logo/button with a link so support can be shown on blogs? I have copied the logo from the sight and will post it on my blog with the link to campaign on it but an official one would be nice!

Would be interested if a twitter trend could be started too? Perhaps a mumsnet Monday or something like that?
Just a few musings
Fran

BeautyGu · 10/06/2010 13:58

I too wholeheartedly agree that girls need to be girls - let's keep them young as long as possible ! I've always said that one day I wanted to design clothes which girls would love to wear, not frumpy or dowdy but bright, cheerful, trendy and comfortable ! I think that time is coming sooner than I think .... lol (wish me luck) too busy at present on my website business! Beth at www.BeautyGu.com

MNHQ
KateMumsnet · 14/06/2010 11:30

Hello Everyone

Good news - Tesco have signed up to the Let Girls Be Girls Campaign!

orkneyingasaga · 14/06/2010 16:58

I am so glad that this issue is beginning to be tackled head on. As long ago as the early eighties, Asda had french knickers on sale to fit THREE year olds. When I asked to see the manager and expressed my concerns, I was told I was an old fuddy duddy! I may say that at the time I was only thirty eight. However, I spent thirty years as a social worker, and am horribly aware of all the tools used to groom little girls. I think the slogan "Don't pimp my child " is fabulous.

oldandgreynow · 14/06/2010 23:14

ok well it's not to my taste, but,as long as alternatives are available, nobody is being forced to buy this gear.It is a choice for the parents to make.Therefore this campaign would seem to be about limiting parents'choice.
I am rather uncomfortable about that.
You might not want your 7 yo in a crop top (i certainly wouldn't)but I don't feel it's my right to take that choice away from other parents who might have different opinions.All very dogmatic!

MyNeighbourTotoro · 15/06/2010 12:18

Out of interest, I can see the retailers have signed up to this campaign, but what does that actually mean in practical terms?

diurnetix · 16/06/2010 09:40

I read your article in the paper this morning - was it the Independent? Anyway I just wanted to say I couldn't finish it because I was so sickened by the disgusting assumptions that must be made to lead adult minds from the innocence of pretty underwear to I don't even want to imagine quite what it is you feel is so outrageous.

MNHQ
CatherineHMumsnet · 16/06/2010 10:02

Here's a link to Justine's article in The Times for anyone who can see behind the paywall www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/life/families/article2557127.ece

dexter73 · 17/06/2010 13:35

School skirt lengths are a problem for me. My dd is 13 and has a M&S school skirt. I have had a call from her tutor today telling me that the skirt is too short and she can't wear it. The skirt is age 14 and comes about mid thigh. When we bought the skirt we looked at others but they were shorter, particularly the school skirts from Next which were micro minis!
I know that girls like to be fashionable at school but perhaps the shops could make the skirts a bit longer please! I think girls are getting taller much faster than they used to so the lengths need to be reviewed.