Retailer rue21 profits from sexualizing girls, thinks you should, too
Teen retailer rue21, Inc. does not mince words when it comes to their bottom line:
“Our merchandise is designed to appeal to 11- to 17-year-olds who aspire to be ‘21′ . . . . “
Fifth-graders. Really?
They are preparing for an initial stock offering, so if you’re looking for an investment and have no conscience, have at it.
Screenshot from their delightful website
As I’ve said before: This isn’t about sex. It’s not about morality or sexual freedom or abstinence or teen pregnancy or any polarizing belief or issue. It’s about kids’ mental and physical health.
Report of the American Psychological Association Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls
September 16th, 2009 at 10:22 am
I always dread what you will post about next. Not because I don’t like you blog.. quite the contrary. But because it seems like each new development is more disturbing than the last. I find this one particularly awful. I don’t have girls — two boys — and I shudder to think that their image of girls and women will in any way be shaped by this sort of characterization.
September 16th, 2009 at 11:07 am
Thanks M & K. Unfortunately, there’s lots to write about here. And you’re right — boys are just as affected by these characterizations. They need the media/image awareness education, too.
September 17th, 2009 at 9:31 am
Geez, oh great Norwegian, I was 10 in 5th grade, and already becoming aware of the females as being different creatures.
September 17th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Denny, I’m not Norwegian. Not that’s there’s anything wrong with that. I’m sorry that you missed the entire point of the post. But that, I’m afraid, would involve doing a bit of reading. Get back to me after you do that.
September 18th, 2009 at 11:48 am
Lisa, love your pithy response to the trolling; gotta snag that tactic…heh. (offer him some gravlaks too?) Yes, I rue the day Rue21 came onto the fashion scene…bleh.
Maybe we should have a ‘hall of shame’ that targets new product dev that sets kids’ development/psyches back…gotta curb the unhealthy cues with a visual gallery as no one has time to read anymore it seems…Hmn. Maybe we could set up a TwitPic version? I already added the new A&F tees here: http://twitpic.com/hwv3e
September 23rd, 2009 at 9:40 am
ugh. That’s terrible. Thanks for keeping me up on what I’m going have to deal with in the future.