Too Sexy, Too Soon?

 I was watching the Today Show this morning and a report dealing with the latest item of clothing from Abercrombie kids clothing line came on. It is called the “Ashley” and is described as a classic triangle top, striped pattern, padded, with pretty detailed straps and a classic fit.

The clothing company has used racy marketing techniques in the past, but I was surprised they have not backed down after harsh criticism they have received.

 Abercrombie has created a padded push-up bikini top for girls’ ages 7-14 that are normally made for women and teens in their later years. Abercrombie continues to push the envelope with tight revealing clothing that models the clothing in their sister adult store Abercrombie and Fitch, along with advertisements and pictures in their store that have been compared to soft porn.  

Parents are outraged with this new product and the message it sends out to young girls. This swimsuit makes girls think about themselves in sexual ways before they are actually mentally prepared to deal with the concept of sexuality. Young girls should stay young for as long as they can and enjoy the simplicity and innocence of childhood. Clothing that promotes sexual stereotypes is damaging to their self-esteem and mentality, and children should not know about these stereotypes until they are older. Childhood is a time when children should be taught to love themselves from the inside out and focus on their talents and intelligence.

It is not just a bikini top that is causing commotion but it is an addition to the whole notion of sexual advertising and sexual stereotypes. Abercrombie has been apart of this sexual advertising movement for years and they continue to do it because it is a successful media trick that attracts attention to their company and products, even if for the wrong reasons.

Although, I agree that the “Ashley” should not be sold to girls as young as 7 years old, I do believe that we are part of the problem when we complain about the swimsuit in public. We are  giving the company  attention and promoting the product, which is exactly what Abercrombie wants just in time for summer. Parents do not have to allow their children to shop at Abercrombie, but when we promote the bathing suit and say it is bad, it is natural for children to rebel and want what they cannot have.

The sexuality craze is out of control and spreading to younger generations. Abercrombie is not helping this problem with their continuing raciness. The “Ashley” is a huge move in their sexual marketing techniques, but if we ignore their techniques and racy clothing, they will not get the attention they want and they will need to resort to conservative techniques to attract customers.