August 01, 2006
Tuesday

Recently I noticed a line of clothng at our local Wal-Mart, which appears to be marketed for pre-teen and teenage girls. One low-cut tank top had "Lick 3X, Then Bite," printed across the chest. Another skimpy top was labeled "Juicy." A third had "Kiss My BooBoo" written across the bosom. Tiny cartoon characters, sticks of gum, and candy are artfully faded into the background of this clothing, in an apparent attempt to justify the messages as commercial, rather than sexual.

Several months ago, I spoke with several clerks, and an assistant manager, and left a note for the store manager when I saw other lines of clothing with similar messages on them. (For example, "Hot Chick" and "My Boyfriend's Out of Town" spelled out in rhinestones on shirts which were sized for six-to-eight-year-olds.) The employees I have spoken with tell me that the local Wal-Mart has no control over what stock they're sent, and that these decisions are made at the corporate level. I have not spoken with a single employee who would defend the merchandise I saw this week. They said that they would not purchase this clothing themselves, that they believed it crossed a line, but that they also felt they had no control over what they were asked to sell to other people's children.

This type of clothing is not just tacky and in bad taste. It is not just demeaning to children to allow them to sport double entendres and sexual innuendo on their bodies. It is also dangerous. Research has shown that some pedophiles justify their aberrant behavior by saying that their young victims encouraged their attentions, that "signals" were sent. I believe that any child who wears a tank top emblazoned with the words "Lick Three Times, Then Bite" is a pedophile's dream. I believe that any adult who purchases this type of clothing for their child, or who allows a child to keep it when she buys it on her own, is putting that child in harm's way. In my opinion, any corporation which purchases and distributes this clothing nationwide is contributing to the problem and putting children at risk.

Since our local store apparently has its hands tied, complaints to the President and CEO of Wal-Mart, Inc can be directed to:

Mr. Lee Scott, President and CEO
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
PO Box 116
Bentonville, AR 72712-9956

Suzan Thompson
Ketchikan, AK - USA

About: "Like most people, I'm am advocate for children and want them to be safe and happy."

 

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