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MNHQ

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

25 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

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MNHQ

JustineMumsnet · 05/01/2010 13:06

Yes we thought so because it really is only about girls as far as we can see, but happy to be proved wrong and if so call it Let children be children (which sounds less like a porn mag?)

MNHQ

HelenMumsnet · 05/01/2010 16:05

Hello.

Just popping in to say do please feel free to post any links to items you've seen recently that you think are hideously inappropriate.

Thank you.

MNHQ

JustineMumsnet · 11/01/2010 12:36

Yes - sorry for delay in feedback - been a bit snowed - will have a look today...

MNHQ

JustineMumsnet · 12/01/2010 00:54

Thanks for all the input folks. It's been top feedback, as expected.

Here are the main points that have been raised specifically about this campaign:

  1. We need to define our terms a bit more
  2. It's not just about girls it's about women
  3. We should talk to/align with Object/pinkstinks about the good work they're doing
  4. We need to address parents and the issue of why they buy this stuff as well as retailers

If we address the above our reading of this thread is that a decent majority are in favour of MN addressing this issue though there is a significant minority who think there are other, better causes (nb this campaign would by no means excludes others it's just a start) and a few who believe any type of centrally-organised campaign is, by definition, flawed.

We will move ahead and try to address the points above and draw up a letter to the retailers over the next day or two but we fully acknowledge that it may well be there is insufficient tailwind behind this particular issue to take it further than the debate on here. Either way just having the debate on here, I think, is informative, and useful.

Cheers,
MNHQ

MNHQ

JustineMumsnet · 29/01/2010 18:32

Hello again,
So we've had a crack at addressing some of the points that have been raised on this thread. We've defined our terms more and addressed the issue of parental choice. Have a look at this page and let us know your thoughts.
We've also had a crack at drafting a letter to retailers.
Please do let us know further thoughts.

MNHQ

JustineMumsnet · 11/02/2010 15:23

Just to keep you posted we'll be looking to contacting retailers in the week of the 22nd so we'll let you know what they say.

If anyone spots any particular examples of creepy, sexy children's wear before then do let us know on this thread.

Thanks.

JustineMumsnet · 09/03/2010 14:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

MNHQ

GeraldineMumsnet · 18/03/2010 16:14

Hello everyone, here's an update on the response we've had from retailers so far in response to our Let Girls Be Girls campaign.

We've been in touch with most of the UK's leading retailers, asking them to commit not to stock products that play upon or emphasise children's sexuality.

Signed up so far are House of Fraser and Startrite.

We know Tesco, John Lewis, Boden, Next and Asda are all considering the letter we've sent and we're hoping to hear from them shortly.

And we're waiting im patiently for a response from lots of others, such as Mothercare, Boot, H&M, Gap, Claire's, Matelan, Shopdirect, WH Smith...

We'll keep you posted as and when we hear back from them all.

MNHQ

GeraldineMumsnet · 24/03/2010 11:03

Another update on retailer's responses:

The latest company to sign up is Boden who join House of Fraser and Startrite in backing Let Girls Be Girls.

Monsoon/Accessorise, WHSmith and Fat Face have said no .

We're eagerly waiting to hear from M&S, Asda, Tesco, Mothercare, Sainsbury's, John Lewis, Next, Debenhams, Littlewoods and Boots.

Watch this space for further updates.

MNHQ

GeraldineMumsnet · 12/04/2010 17:29

Another update: the latest retailer to commit to Let Girls Be Girls is George at Asda.

MNHQ

HelenMumsnet · 14/04/2010 12:13

Hello. Thought you might like to know that, although Primark have withdrawn the girls' padded-bra bikinis, they are still selling Tshirts with "Future WAG" on them.

And they issued this extraordinary statement to the press this morning: "Every girl wants to look her best and at Primark we make no exception for the younger ladies. All the high fashion trends can be found in our Girlswear section, no matter what age you are"

Yes, the younger ladies

There's also quite a lively Primark thread here

Oh, and one letter and three emails later, no response from Primark to our Let Girls Be Girls campaign

MNHQ

HelenMumsnet · 14/04/2010 12:44

Breaking News: Mothercare has signed up to our Let Girls be Girls campaign. Hurrah!

HelenMumsnet · 14/04/2010 14:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

MNHQ

OliviaMumsnet · 19/04/2010 11:05

Another newsflash:
Debenhams have signed up too!

MNHQ

OliviaMumsnet · 19/04/2010 16:34

Coming in thick and fast now, we're welcoming Hush Puppies who have also signed up to the campaign!

MNHQ

HelenMumsnet · 20/04/2010 14:32

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!

MNHQ

HelenMumsnet · 20/04/2010 17:06

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

MNHQ

HelenMumsnet · 20/04/2010 22:02

Hello. Sorry to hear Brazilian girls are still there

MNHQ

GeraldineMumsnet · 23/04/2010 15:18

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

MNHQ

GeraldineMumsnet · 14/05/2010 10:50

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."

MNHQ

HelenMumsnet · 14/05/2010 17:35

Hello.

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

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!

MNHQ

KateMumsnet · 14/06/2010 11:30

Hello Everyone

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

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

MNHQ

GeraldineMumsnet · 17/06/2010 15:37

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

Watch this thread for updates

Tap "Watch" to get all the latest updates

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