I hadn't been aware of national governments being interested in such things, but here's a news item today from 'downunder' showing what the Australian Federal Government is concerned about. I wonder if this will appear in "Watching the World" in the next issue of Awake!
| 16:31 AEST Tue 26 Nov 2002 | |||||
| Parents urged to boycott kid bras Federal Minister for Children Larry Anthony called on parents to boycott padded bras, low-cut tops and other provocative clothes aimed at girls as young as eight. He said the racy clothing would bring unwarranted attention to young girls, and children should enjoy being kids rather than trying to dress and act older than they are. NSW Women's Minister Sandra Nori raised the problem last week, saying warped messages on body image were being sent to pre-teen girls through the retailing of sexually inappropriate clothing. Chain-stores were marketing padded bras to children as young as eight, Ms Nori said. Mr Anthony said it was the responsibility of parents not to allow their girls buy or wear the clothes.
 "The first thing we need to do is let kids be kids," he told AAP."Before you know it they'll be grown up and they'll be at Schoolies Week. "The last thing we need to do is to try and see our children wear provocative clothes which may bring unwarranted attention. "You're a kid only once, you're an adult a long time. "Let kids be kids and I think parents should say enough is enough and don't buy the products." Mr Anthony, the father of an eight-year-old girl, said with television, magazines and video games there was already enough pressure on children and families. He said it was not prudent for young girls to be seen in provocative clothing. "They should be kids and they'll face the adventures of life later on but not at this stage," he said. Target on Monday announced its biggest-ever new product line launch with the fashion label of United States teen superstars Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. The mary-kateandashley brand products were singled out by Ms Nori as products offering six-year-olds the same clothing as 16-year-olds. | |||||
