Be warned..sexually exploitive bras and underwear for children are sold in stores near you

Yesterday I was at Jamba Juice and I saw this young girl wearing a bra under her tank top. This girl was probably 9 years old and had an extremely flat chest. I didn't think she needed a bra and I wondered why she felt the need to wear one. Perhaps her friends are wearing bras? Perhaps she would feel embarassed if she didn't wear one? Is she pressured to wear one?

Today I was reading a book by Feministing website author Jessica Valenti and in it she mentioned that at one point Target stores began selling Bratz (Bratz dolls are female dolls that dress up in miniskirts, halter tops and heavy makeup) "bratletts". Most were padded bras.



In the same chapter the author mentioned at that at one point Wal-Mart was selling underwear for young girls with the statement "Who needs credit cards" across it.


The item caused such a stir among consumers that Wal-Mart took the item off their shelves.

I've always had an issue with shirts that are meant to promote a exploitive and stereotypical version of sexuality. Shirts that say, Playboy, Hooters, Hottie, Porn-Star, MILF are just a few. Evidently companies are marketing to a young audience. I'd like to give a good talking to, to the parents who are purchasing these items for their daughters. It also saddens me that there is apparently a market for such items.

I think it is important for anyone who happens to come across items like these in stores to make a complaint. Take the time to find out what you can do to get these items off the shelves. Perhaps your daughter, sister, cousin, niece, etc. isn't wearing these items but someone else's loved one is.