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Pages Updated On:
11-Jun-2013 - 15:58:37
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Top : Parents Corner : What is Being Marketed Toward Your Children?

What is Being Marketed Toward Your Children?

~ Lauren Alexander

I am very concerned about the clothing that children are wearing, and what is being marketed to them. I know that this is not a new problem, but we need to be especially sensitive to the facts as we shop for our loved ones this Christmas season.

I think that too many Christian parents are putting their heads in the sand, and not speaking up. Some are desensitized to it, some think it does not affect "their" kids, or they have just given up fighting the trends and allow their children to wear what they want. Those in the dark are watching us.

As you know, fashions are becoming more and more immodest. Our kids are showing way too much skin (adults too, of course). It is hard to get away from all of the "sex" in the movies, magazines, billboards, television shows, and even commercials.

I believe that it is getting worse because there are not that many people speaking out against it. If we, the consumers, keep our mouths closed, then we are in a sense condoning it. Parents, Grandparents, Teachers, Pastors, and anyone else who cares the least bit about the future of America, please wake up!

It really breaks my heart to see children (yes, children, not just teens) walking around dressed provocatively. The clothing industry is even marketing mini skirts, tops baring midriff, skin tight clothes, etc. to preschool aged children!
** Just take a look at the latest toys our girls are playing with...
Ex.: Bratz dolls (dressed like little gangsters and prostitutes)
or "My Scene" Barbies (dressed seductively)
** What about the video games, played by both genders, that are not only violent, but also have scantily clad women in them?

Why can't we see what this is doing to our society? It has become "fashionable" to dress to be "in your face" stumbling blocks to people of the opposite gender. Are we so eager for attention that we have to exploit our own bodies, and tempt others?

We all know what this leads to. I don’t think I need to list the statistics on sexual crimes, sexually transmitted diseases, and teen pregnancies. We need to teach our children to respect themselves, and find their value and worth in character and NOT their bodies.

Also, on the clothing issue, there are t-shirts that have become very popular with children and teens. They have sexually suggestive sayings, insults, sassy phrases, and violent sayings.

Here are some examples:
"spoiled brat" , "not listening", "I like boys, they are stupid", "Must be 18 or older to ride this ride", "You suck", "delicious", "loser", "naughty girl", "ugly people gotta go", "Is ass your real name?", "Psycho, but cute" (character is holding a bloody knife), and on and on. You cannot deny it... this is sending the message, loud and clear, that it is okay (and even cute) to be spoiled, a brat, a bully, a tramp, rude, crude, violent, and socially unacceptable.

The "Happy Bunny" brand of clothing is very popular. The shirts have a cute little bunny on them who says things like the examples above, and kids are especially drawn to them. They also have other cute characters that grab your attention. It is downright evil wrapped up in a pretty package (wolf in sheep's clothing)! This company makes other products too (purses, candy, door knob hangers, pins, stickers...).

The creator is Jim Benton. You can look at the website, but I'll warn you, there are many worse things than what I have written above.

http://www.blackjackinc.com

I have been researching "Happy Bunny", in particular, because I do want to take action. Although, it is not the only company that is marketing filth to our children, it does seem to be everywhere. Some of the stores that carry these items are Foley's, Kohl's, Claire's, Icing, J. C. Penney's, Wal-Mart, Payless and Sears. I am sure there are more, but this is as far as I have gotten.

I have spoken with managers at some of the stores, and they have told me things like, "These are big sellers for us", "I don't decide on the merchandise we carry", "I agree with you, but our company does market research to make the decisions on lines we carry. This item increases our revenue a lot."

Please take note: The manager at the Kohl’s in my area told me that their corporation has purposely increased inventory of items such as these this Christmas season. They are tracking the sales of these items to research what we, the consumers, want.

Of course, if sales are high, they will continue to sell these items and add more. The scary thing to me is that if they are as popular as I have noticed, what will Kohl’s and other stores offer to our children next season? Just like television and movies, morality will just continue it’s downhill slide.

As you can see, I am very passionate about this. I am trying to raise my 9 year old girl to be a Godly woman of virtue and purity, and my eyes have been opened daily to the many challenges of this world.

We need to take this seriously!

I have faith in my fellow Christians, and I know that we can better our country. Sometimes, we just need to take some action and speak up. We should not allow the world "to just happen" all around us while we live our hectic lives, especially when something is affecting our children. We need to remind one another that we are clled to be in the world not of the world.

We all know that our youth are more disrespectful, selfish, sexually active, angry, and violent than ever. (Just ask a teacher.) I am not saying that setting more strict guidelines on their clothing choices will solve these problems, but it's a good start.

Let's send our children out the door each morning wearing clothes that show the world that they respect themselves and others. If they want to wear shirts with slogans on them, how about some kind words that build up others instead of putting them down? Let's be the light that Jesus calls us to be. There is enough darkness out there already.

Will you please help me to get the word out? I know we can make some changes by making our voices heard. Even if you are not allowing your children to wear these clothes, believe me they are being subjected to seeing it everywhere, even at school. Have you really looked around the malls lately? Check out the store display windows, the advertisements, the clothes people are wearing, and the latest trends in the popular teen clothing stores.

It IS influencing them whether you like it or not! I encourage you to write letters to your department stores, make phone calls, send emails, tell your friends and family, and even boycott specific stores if you need to. This is worth your time.

And... for goodness sake, if you are buying this garbage for your children, please stop. It is not just a "fad" that is doing nobody any harm. The bottom line is that these companies want to make money. If we stop buying it, they will stop selling it. It is as simple as that.

Fellow Christians, please help me and let's not allow Satan to get a stonger foothold than he already has. Enough is enough!

Used by permission from ChristianWebsite.com

Submitted on : 7-Dec-2005


"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

Top : Parents Corner : What is Being Marketed Toward Your Children?

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