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

[GeraldineMumsnet]

News flash - Sainsbury's has joined up to LGBG.

[Striderbikesuk]

I TOTALLY support this campaign!
My daughter is 7 and is too big for the cute girly pretty clothes that retailers sell for toddlers up to about age 5 and far too young to be wearing trendy clothes from age 8+ designed for teenagers. She is stuck in the middle age wise and although loves her pretty sundresses, is faced with the choice of crop tops, off the shoulder tops and short shorts or skirts!
Let little girls be little girls!!

[yellowfish]

Really heartened by this campaign, as my 3 and 6 year olds grow up in this crazy fashion-focussed world. Trying to install down to earth "kid-ness" having spent much of the morning trying to catch sticklebacks, but feel like I'm trying to be replicate some Country Living article! I'd like to see some of those fabulous toddler clothes in bigger sizes, rather than the Next's of this world simply churning out mini-me sizes of their women's range of clothes for our kids over 6... As for high heels, keep the dressing up for the dressing up box, and stick to Converse! Keep it up Mumsnet!

[Thisroomwastidyfiveminutesago]

I am just noticing that Next are signed up to the campaign but they are selling girl's high heeled shoes from size 9 upwards.

[Bafana]

Hello, I am completely new to the forum and just want to inform you about Jean Kilbourne and Diane Levin's brilliant book: "So Sexy So Soon - the new sexualized childhood and what parents can do to protect their children". Their website provides further very useful information (www.sosexysosoon.com)

[Lucifera]

Completely support this campaign - I posted yesterday on Feminism topic and was directed here, it's all about what I've been thinking. But as a non-parent (am non-biological grandmother!) I don't have as many opportunities to complain and to take my money where my mouth is. Would do anything to help.

[MyNeighbourTotoro]

Introduction from that book www.sosexysosoon.com/introduction.pdf is quite interesting

[M11180543]

Marks and Spencer have the audacity to say they support your campaign to let little girls be little girls. The Guardian 12.5.2010 stated that M&S says sorry for bra label on underwear for 6 year olds, yet I saw yesterday (26th June)in my local branch SEAMFREE BRA TOPS for 6 year olds, also PADDED BRAS size 28AA. The assistant told me the bra tops were like vests. They are definitely NOT like vests. They are at best totally unnecessary and at worst sexually provocative. These suppliers seem to forget that even if little girls want to wear such items, they may have fathers, brothers, etc who may draw inappropriate attention to them, with unhealthy or even harmful consequences. Unfortunately there are mothers and fathers who enjoy seeing little girls in such clothing, so please do your utmost to have these garments removed from sale.

[MyNeighbourTotoro]

If a retailer signs up to this campaign what exactky are they signing up to?

And if they fail to comply with whatever the rules are what will be done about it?

[Southcornwall]

I'm not convinced that M&S and Next take this campaign seriously. I've been into both just recently to buy clothes for my daughters. One is 3 and the other 6 but both quite tall so having to buy 8 year old clothes for the eldest. M&S were offering halternecks for 8 year olds and I didn't even recognise the under 10s clothes in Next as they were very grown up and very inappropriate. I wasn't happy to buy my eldest daughter clothes in either shop and end up buying Boden on Ebay instead.

[sel40]

As a mum of 2 boys, have always been glad I don't have to face the everything pink life/dreadful adult,tarty girls clothes/gender stereotyping toys. Wholeheartedly support campaigns against all this damaging nonsense. However, what are people doing buying toys such as 'heads of hair' to style, endless 'pretty' plastic jewelry and nail varnish for little girls?! This obsession with looks in little girls' lives starts so young! Do we tell our little boys to comb their hair so they look pretty? Or constantly comment on the pretty clothes they're wearing?! We are all to blame for this subtle conditioning of girls. The shops are only taking it a step further...

[tigertiger09]

I thought i was the only one ! I totally back this i have a daughter age 9 who is always telling me her friend wears a bra for school and can she have one, the talks we have had over this, i think your campaign is BRILLIANT !

[megatropolis]

Ever thought about setting up a Facebook page? I'd be ready to spread the word to my friends ...

[gibbon55]

Interesting that it's mainly the "cheap and tacky" shops, like Primark & New Look that are "considering" whether they can make enough profit if they drop the seualised clothing.

My daughter's school sent a letter home this week stating that during "own clothes days", Year 10 girls are wearing inapproppriate clothing, eg. T-shirt slogans, low cut tops, push up bras, etc. They quite rightly consider that this does not give the right message to the outside world that the school values achievment and self respect.

Just for the record, "Playboy Bunny" items are tacky. Have you seen pictures of Hugh Hefner surrounded by "his girls"?

[gibbon55]

Mums, bear in mind that, even if your daughter goes to school in correct uniform, she will often "adapt" it on the way. My daughter (aged 15) rolls up her skirt at the top to just below bottom-cheek level. They are ALL doing it (I see her school mates on the way to/from school). The schools are fighting a tough battle. However, I remember doing the same myself in the 70s, so some of this is teen rebellion. On the plus side, I wasn't faced with shops full of sexy clothing when I was 10, so things MUST have got worse.

[slushy]

Can I ask is there a facebook page for this I can sign up to?

[chantal32]

I teach in a secondary school and have a year 8 form, (12-13). The girls have low self esteem, some of them cake themselves in make up, (usually of the orange variety) and spend more time than is healthy staring in mirrors. They are self consumed. In addition, the boys appear to be chauvinistic and mysognistic, talk about slapping girls more than I ever thought possible and are quick to insult girls on their looks. Also, the celebrity obsessed media promotes unrealistic views of women. I don't think it's the shops necessarily. There are tremendous pressures on girls especially. I think it's a parent's job to encourage healthy lifestyles and choices e.g. sports and balanced diet. Encouraging them to value their achievements rather than their looks by championing education. This extends to deciding what is appropriate to wear and buy

[LondonMathsMum]

My (grown-up) daughter actually LIKES provocative clothes for DD (aged 5) . . .

What can a GMum do?

[ruthemma]

I have recently written to Andy Street of John Lewis and Sir Stuart Rose of Marks and Spencer requesting they stop selling bras labelled from age 8 (John Lewis) and age 6 (Marks and Spencer). I wrote twice as neither replied the first time but I have just received a response from the girlswear buyer at John Lewis with the news that from November they will alter the sizes to 28A, 30A etc and they will no longer be age descriptive. I had not seen the mumsnet campaign until today and am shocked to see Marks and Spencer signed up to the retailers who have pledged their support.

[Southcornwall]

I see that M&S have signed up to this campaign but somewhat perturbed to discover a string bikini being sold in our local M&S for 5 and 6 year olds. As I had my 6 year old daugther at the time (who is also quite tall so can be mistaken for a 7 or 8 year old), I asked to see the manager. When I held it up to her and pointed to my daughter and asked whether she would like to see her in the bikini, she did have the good grace to admit she wouldn't be happy and that she would report it to head office. Is it going to be the case that store chains like M&S are only going to honour their commitment to the campaign if they are constantly watched? As it is I'm intrigued to see whether anything actually happens or whether my views are ignored.

[rejiggedlady]

I'm so pleased some of the major stores are ageeing to do something about it. Lets have our girls in 'normal' little girls clothes. Just like we had when we were kids.

[M11180543]

Two weeks after I first complained to my local Marks and Spencer and their Head Office, about their disgusting bra-tops for 6 year olds, they are still for sale. Each time I check, I put the age 6 size to the back of the display, and the age 14 at the front. Since they obviously want to encourage little girls to wear teenage underwear, I do not intend shopping at M&S again. If enough of us acted in this way, they might begin to understand what decent parents want (and don't want) for their children. They say they support this campaign, but they should be honest and admit that their standards have fallen and they do not care at all.

[rejiggedlady]

Hey mums - just let me know what kind of clothes you want for your girls and we can make them for you. I believe that kids should be kids hence me setting up re-jigged.co.uk. I have always made my children's clothes and loads of people always asked where they came from, so the seed was born for 'proper' kids clothes! www.re-jigged.co.uk

[Rachaeltall]

Hi,

I'm fairly new to this so apologies for not knowing the abbreviations. I fully think this is a FANTASTIC campaign, but what are the criteria? I see that Next have signed up, yet their school skirts for the new school year are ridiculously short.

[mhmummy]

I fully support this campaign and agree with much of what's been said on this thread. The media coverage so far is encouraging, firstly because it impacts on the big retailers and secondly because it raises awareness of the issue amongst parents who may not have given it much thought before.
Someone already suggested that this campaign is launched on Facebook, which I think is an excellent idea and should happen asap to maintain momentum. I also think there is potential for further media activity in relation to many of the items people describe here, which are horrifying. It would make an interesting feature which would put pressure on John Lewis, M&S, Next and others to honour their commitment to this campaign.