Cotton On's risque kids' T-shirt slogans under attack
Baby talk ... Shelly James with her son Jesse James wearing an "I'm a tits man" T-shirt. Picture: Nathan Edwards
Baby talk ... Shelly James with her son Jesse James wearing an "I'm a tits man" T-shirt. Picture: Nathan Edwards
- Cotton on releases risque kids' range
- Slogans include "I'm a tits man"
- Parents appalled, call them revolting
BABY clothes boasting slogans such as "The condom broke", "Pardon my nipple breath" and "I'm living proof my mum is easy" have outraged family groups.
They want the raunchy rompers and tops withdrawn, but unrepentant retailer Cotton On says they are simply meant to be funny, the Herald Sun reports.
Kids Free 2B Kids director Julie Gale bought the items at Cotton On Kids in Malvern on Monday.
Others read: "I'm a tits man", "Mummy likes it on top", "Wipe my butt sucker", "So hot right now", "I like big boobs and I cannot lie", "I'm bringing sexy back" and "Practice safe sucks".
Ms Gale said as a comedy writer and performer she had a great sense of humour, but using babies and children as "a vehicle for sexual innuendo" was unacceptable.
She said research had linked premature sexualisation to eating disorders, depression, and self harm. It was a shame that a normally responsible company had "lowered the tone" of its product.
"I reckon there should be a penalty and there needs to be an awareness campaign with retailers about what's appropriate and what's actually harmful," she said.
"They don't get that it's ... harmful. It's all part of a continuum of sexualisation of kids. It's about the mental health of our children."
Prominent psychologist Steve Biddulph said using sexual language around children trivialised it and could harm their development.
"Children exposed to sexual messages too young get a cheapened idea of what love is about, before they are old enough to form better ideas," he said.
"The sad thing is that smarter parents protect their kids, but as the media environment and the shopping malls deteriorate, the kids with not very bright parents have their mental health and sexual health degraded."
Cotton On Group marketing manager Emily Checinski admitted the range had attracted "sporadic complaints" but said it would not be withdrawn.
"The slogan products aren't for everyone, but there's definitely a place in our society for provocative humour that pushes the boundaries," she said.
Mother of two Kristen Turra, 32, said the slogans were revolting and she would never put them on Campbell, 2, or Bella, three months.
Several friends were equally appalled.
Ms Turra said she was no prude but sexual slogans were inappropriate on babies, could be read by other children and should be withdrawn.
Mr Biddulph will join Ms Gale and other experts at two seminars run by Kids Free 2B Kids and the Australian Council on Children and the Media.
The seminars are at Melbourne Girls Grammar School senior campus on August 3; and the Australian Education Union building in Abbotsford the next day.
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25818079-36398,00.html
While I agree they are disgusting, little can be done about it besides not giving them business...
All this attention only promotes them, anyhow. HOW do people NOT get that?
