Biggles of 266
1st Level Red Feather
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2001
- Messages
- 1,126
- Points
- 36
Federal Minister for Children Larry Anthony today called on parents to boycott padded bras, low-cut tops and other provocative clothes aimed at what are being dubbed "tweens" - girls between the ages of eight and 12.
He said the racy clothing - being marketed by Target under the brand owned by US teen stars Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen - would bring unwarranted attention to young girls, and children should enjoy being kids rather than trying to dress and act older than they are.
NSW Women's Minister Sandra Nori raised the problem last week, saying warped messages on body image were being sent to pre-teen girls through the retailing of sexually inappropriate clothing.
The mary-kateandashley brand products were singled out by Ms Nori as products offering six-year-olds the same clothing as 16-year-olds.
Chain-stores were marketing padded bras to children as young as eight, Ms Nori said.
Mr Anthony said it was the responsibility of parents not to allow their girls buy or wear the clothes.
"The first thing we need to do is let kids be kids," he said.
"Before you know it they'll be grown up and they'll be at Schoolies Week.
"The last thing we need to do is to try and see our children wear provocative clothes which may bring unwarranted attention.
"You're a kid only once, you're an adult a long time.
"Let kids be kids and I think parents should say enough is enough and don't buy the products."
Mr Anthony, the father of an eight-year-old girl, said with television, magazines and video games there was already enough pressure on children and families.
He said it was not prudent for young girls to be seen in provocative clothing.
"They should be kids and they'll face the adventures of life later on but not at this stage," he said.
What do you think? Would you let your little girl wear something low cut? Is this just crazy over-protective parents, or are children dressed like this targets for predators?
Biggles
He said the racy clothing - being marketed by Target under the brand owned by US teen stars Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen - would bring unwarranted attention to young girls, and children should enjoy being kids rather than trying to dress and act older than they are.
NSW Women's Minister Sandra Nori raised the problem last week, saying warped messages on body image were being sent to pre-teen girls through the retailing of sexually inappropriate clothing.
The mary-kateandashley brand products were singled out by Ms Nori as products offering six-year-olds the same clothing as 16-year-olds.
Chain-stores were marketing padded bras to children as young as eight, Ms Nori said.
Mr Anthony said it was the responsibility of parents not to allow their girls buy or wear the clothes.
"The first thing we need to do is let kids be kids," he said.
"Before you know it they'll be grown up and they'll be at Schoolies Week.
"The last thing we need to do is to try and see our children wear provocative clothes which may bring unwarranted attention.
"You're a kid only once, you're an adult a long time.
"Let kids be kids and I think parents should say enough is enough and don't buy the products."
Mr Anthony, the father of an eight-year-old girl, said with television, magazines and video games there was already enough pressure on children and families.
He said it was not prudent for young girls to be seen in provocative clothing.
"They should be kids and they'll face the adventures of life later on but not at this stage," he said.
What do you think? Would you let your little girl wear something low cut? Is this just crazy over-protective parents, or are children dressed like this targets for predators?
Biggles
Makes me happy that I don't have girls, but even with boys, you still have a big responsibility to teach them that girls are not a piece of meat.
