Too Much Too Young

Many high street chains and supermarkets have recently come under fire regarding inappropriate children’s clothing.

Primark has been shamed into abandoning sales of padded bikinis for seven-year-olds following a storm of protest over the sexualisation of young girls. The £4 bikinis, one in pink with gold stars and the other black with white spots, were sold for girls aged seven to eight. The company apologised for causing offence and said profits from any bikinis already sold would be given to a children's charity.

Asda have also been criticized for selling black lace underwear, including a push-up bra, aimed at children as young as nine. “This sort of lingerie is totally unacceptable. It feeds this idea of young girls wanting to look sexy.”

British Home Stores (BHS) have removed part of their children’s Little Miss Naughty underwear range after they were described as ‘disgraceful’ and ‘ill-advised’. “It is selling sex to kids. Girls shouldn’t be thinking about lingerie at their age or wanting to enhance their cleavage. They should be playing with their friends not trying to look sexy.”

Next have been forced to remove a t-shirt from their shops aimed at girls under six bearing the slogan, ‘So many boys, so little time.’ Hundreds complained that the top on sale presented youngsters as sexual objects. Child welfare campaigners warned that the clothes were a symptom of the increasing pressure on children to grow up more quickly.

Tesco has been selling a t-shirt aimed at 3-6 month olds with the slogan ‘Does my bum look big in this?’ I think it is disgusting that they can get away with inciting body hatred through image conscious messages on children’s clothing. Tesco has also been forced to remove a pole dancing kit from the toys and games section on its website after it was accused of ‘destroying children’s innocence.’ It describes the kit; ‘Unleash the sex kitten inside…simply extend the Peekaboo pole, slip on the sexy tunes and away you go. Soon you’ll be flaunting it to the world and earning a fortune in Peekaboo dance dollars.’ Dr Adrian Rogers from Family Focus said, ‘this is a dangerous toy that will contribute towards destroying children’s innocence.’

No wonder girls are confused about their bodies and self image!