Comments on: I want ones that say, “Who needs panties?”

by: cantabridgian poet

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 11:52:00 +0000

junk science, I can definitely recommend Packaging Girlhood: Rescuing Our Daughters from Marketers’ Schemes (currently on sale at Amazon for ten bucks!). I’m only partway through it, but it provides a lot of things to think about and some solid suggestions as to how to get your daughter thinking about this stuff. They also point out that teenagers are really good at seeing through this kind of thing if they want to be. I don’t have any kids yet, but when I do, I’ll be trying to limit the damage that Disney can do.

by: Mnemosyne

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 17:53:36 +0000

Disclaimer: I am only a parent to cats. However, having been a teenager, the most productive line for me would have been to discuss how these “sexy” items (and the “whore” stuff) are trying to convince girls that their sexuality isn’t something that belongs to them, but is a commodity that’s up for sale to the highest bidder. Would they cut off their arm and sell it to whoever wanted to buy? If not, why try to sell any other body parts?

Just a notion off the top of my head.

by: junk science

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 17:37:30 +0000

I should have been clearer. When I say “most people who object to these clothes,” I mean most people not posting here.

by: junk science

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 17:34:52 +0000

Just out of curiosity, what’s a good way for parents to tell their daughters exactly what they hate about this kind of thing without sounding like they’re trying to bottle up/deny/vilify their daughters’ sexuality wingnut-style? Most girls who want to wear these things want to feel sexy and attractive to boys, so how do you get the message across that wanting to feel sexy and attractive isn’t antithetical to having self-respect, and that you can’t magically get assholes to treat you well by not wearing the “wrong” clothes? It just seems like most people who object to these clothes are engaging in a little slut-shaming, and since I know people here generally don’t think that way, I’m wondering how they frame their arguments.

by: deep6

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 15:23:01 +0000

MH - I followed the link. If you mean Amanda, it’s not her photo. It was taken by a commenter at feministing, and Amanda picked up the story. But yeah, for a second I had an Amanda-shops-at-Walmart?? moment.

by: MH

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 14:17:33 +0000

Why were you at Wal-Mart to begin with?

by: deep6

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 12:53:40 +0000

Feminists don’t let feminists shop at Wal-Mart.

by: Rumblelizard

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 12:19:31 +0000

Adam, I like your idea.

by: Adam Smith

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 10:52:49 +0000

Truth is these teen panties are sold because they shock grown-ups, and teens like to shock grown-ups, so there’s a market for ‘em.

Now, that doesn’t make our shock illegitimate, because the sentiment (Santa ass or no Santa ass) is legitimately repugnant to thinking beings. But it is the reason this apparel was designed, made, marketed, and why it sells.

Once again, the skeevy invisible hand of the market is touching us inappropriately.

I suggest readers in Cary NC or wherever these unmentionables are found should buy the lot of them. Then take them directly to customer service for a full refund. I’ll keep them off the shelves for a day. Eventually they’ll show up on Walmart’s apparel buyer’s computer as having such a high return/restock rate that they’ll be considered unprofitable and cut from the merchandise list.

Don’t just tut-tut. Give that invisible hand a good smacking, folks.

by: mnemosyne

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 10:44:28 +0000

I have slowly come to the conclusion that if I want neutral, let alone empowering, messages on clothes for my daughter (even now, at the age of 5 months, to say nothing of later), I’m bloody well going to have to design them myself and iron them on.

CustomizedGirl.com will let you put pretty much anything you can upload onto a t-shirt. I’ve ordered a couple of things from them and they’re good quality. Frequent sales, too.