Abercrombie & Fitch selling padded tops for 8 year olds

[Liberal_in_LA]

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Abercrombie & Fitch selling padded bikini tops for young .Last year parents declared super skinny jeans inappropriate for 4-year-olds. This year they're questioning whether padded bikini tops are appropriate for little girls. Yes, those teeny triangle tops with a thick pillowy pad are now being made for 8-year-olds. Gasp!

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfmoms/index#ixzz1HZ31HYxF

[Taverner]

1. Isn't this in line with the whole "training bra" thing?

I knew girls at 8 who wore training bras

[mzteris]

3. no. n/t

[HipChick]

5. No..these are super padded..like a womans bra..

from the comments section..

I stopped by the Abercrombie Kids store at San Francisco's Westfield Mall yesterday to see if people are overreacting. The padding, especially in the push-up style, is generous. In fact, it's equal in thickness to the Victoria's Secret push-up bra I was wearing that day.

[FreakinDJ]

9. So they have Pedifiles for designers - doesn't everybody

[David__77]

11. Another from the comments section

"Some very conservative moms prefer padded tops because the padding covers the nipples protruding through thin wet swim suits. Your automatic assumption that A&F are objectifying eight year olds is very narrow minded."

[Lyric]

21. I think "conservative mom" is really just a pedophile.

A real Mom would already know that swimsuit tops have double layered fabric to prevent exactly that. She'd also know that while an occasional 8-year-old might have breast tissue that's starting to develop, it wouldn't be anywhere NEAR the stage of development where the nipples have enlarged enough to be noticeable through a double-layered swimsuit top.

I suppose he thinks he's being clever, couching his drooling desire to see little girls with the appearance of full breasts under the banner of "conservative"...and who knows? Freeper types are just stupid enough to fall in line and defend anything that ANYONE labels "conservative."

[CoffeeCat]

42. I think that's a load of baloney...

I have two daughters ages 10 and 11. We live at the pool during the summers, and
I've yet to see a rash of nipple protrusion with any little kids at the pool, or
with my daughters.

I've never heard *any* mom EVER talk about that as a concern. What a crock!

Furthermore, there are so many good choices out there for kids swimsuits that are modest
and very durable. Land's End comes to mind.

I highly doubt this is an issue. And if it was--if a parent was so concerned about that,
why would that same parent shop at Abercrombie? They are known for exploiting young
children in their ads and with their clothes. So, the woman in the comment section is
suggesting that a mom concerned about modesty would run to Abercrombie for a solution and
that solution would be in the form of a padded, skimpy bikini that would give the child
the appearance of having large breasts? Riiiiiiight.

OMFG... :eyes:

[CreekDog]

55. the automatic assumption that A&F objectifies is about the safest assumption one can make

i don't know about these ads but since A&F objectifies everything in every one of their ads, it's likely they did the same thing here.

[demwing]

82. Spot On

If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and if everything else that comes out of that A&F pit has been a duck, then welcome to another serving of "duck"...

[Lyric]

13. No...push-ups aren't the same. They're basically sex tools.

The purpose of a push-up, padded bra is to push your breasts higher and further out and make them appear fuller, thus presenting a more sexually-alluring appearance. Training bras are more like sports bras in function; they're supposed to hold them up and tight against the chest because for a long time, people believed that the breasts had to be "trained" to keep from sagging. However, that's not actually true. Really, training bras are more like "practice" and something of a rite of passage. There's no real need for them, but we want our daughters to have that symbol of developing womanhood because it's meaningful to them.

Padded push-up bras are not appropriate for 8-year-old girls, because 8-year-old girls have no need for increased sex appeal. Training bras are fine, though, if a girl happens to be developing at that young of an age. It's not unusual these days.

[Zywiec]

19. LOL - What is it pushing up on an 8 year old?

Skin?

[Lyric]

25. Well...yeah, actually.

Push-up bras are for women. They were never meant for little girls. These are PADDED bras; the padding gives the illusion of breasts underneath the bikini top, while the push-up design would, indeed, take whatever breast tissue the girl has (along with any excess skin) and lift it up to create the appearance of cleavage.

Padded push-up bras are a godsend to women who are insecure about their very small breasts, but the idea of someone using them for little girls is just icky. They can indeed create the appearance of cleavage and breasts where there is very little breast tissue, and maybe that's fine for a grown woman or a teenage girl...but for a kid who's still young enough for Barbie and Happy Meals?!

[blondeatlast]

2. So I clicked the link and all I have to say is...

(nothing--but did you hear the thud when my jaw hit the floor?)

[David__77]

4. So don't buy it?

Why are some people intent on enforcing their decisions on others?

[Maru Kitteh]

6. Do you find the sexualization of children to be a problem for children?

We make decisions as a society about the treatment and well-being of children all the time. See: child labor laws.

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Maru Kitteh]

15. Gosh - you claim not to think like that but then ya do - which one is it?

I didn't know this push-up bikini was designed by 8-year-olds.

Ye gods.

[walldude]

7. Because sexualizing an 8 year old girl with a "PUSHUP BIKINI"

is really fucked in the head. I'm all for not enforcing my "beliefs" on others. But this is not "enforcing a belief" it's calling a company that is trying to make money by sexualizing a fucking 8 year old girl disgusting sick fucks.

[David__77]

10. I don't see the padding as sexual.

I guess I just don't see it. If anything, it's probably concealing. But I don't think of children that way, so it would never occur to me.

[blondeatlast]

17. Then you are unique. Look, I wear bras from Agent Provocateur--

a company that makes VERY, VERY suggestive stuff, including fetish wear. But I'm well into my forties and I KNOW why I'm wearing it.

I saw that bra top in the link--that ain't right for an 8 year old.

[Sonoman]

27. You're right...

and I'll be right over with some really fine wine.

Sonoman

[The Straight Story]

68. Hmmm you got pics as proof?

;)

[walldude]

18. Look at the ad. It's being sold as a "Pushup Bikini"

[shanti]

41. self-delete

:(

[TorchTheWitch]

58. concealing WHAT?

We're talking about an eight year old. There IS nothing to conceal. And just how is it that padding is to conceal non-existent breasts when EVERYONE knows padding in bras it to make you look like you have bigger breasts than you actually do??? I don't recall young girls stuffing socks or kleenex (ie: padding) in their bras in order to attempt to conseal anything.
:crazy:

[revolutionnow45]

14. really fucked in the head

Exactly. Can't we give girls a little time to develop their character before we start objectifying them?

Is this really helpful at school?

Don't children already have enough to deal with without moronic adults imposing their hang ups on them?

Our media is already disgusting as far as the values they are teaching on the Disney channel.

It is almost as if it is by design.

[walldude]

24. It is. Turning them into consumers as young as possible

The tween market has an incredible amount of disposable income. Everyone wants it.

[CoffeeCat]

47. You mentioned the Disney Channel...

...and the Disney Channel really bothers me.

Many of the young girls on those shows are glammed up and they are made to look older. They look
like children playing dress up, and it's borderline creepy.

This Selena Gomez video was played every ten minutes on Disney, when the song first came out.
She was a young teenager when this video/song was released. She looks like a little girl
with tons of make-up on, and she's singing about relationships/love. Furthermore, most
Selena Gomez fans aren't in high school. They're 7, 9, 11.

Here's the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfcvO2t8Ntg

I mentioned in a previous post about the problems with "adultifying" children. Disney
is notorious for this. All of the parents in the Disney shows are incredibly stupid.
The kids are always the smartest ones in the room--outwitting their parents, smarter
than their parents--and they usually treat their parents like dirt. Children are
portrayed as powerful and more wise than adults.

It bothers me that this same formula plays out on most of the shows. And this type
of adultification mirrors that distorted thinking that pedophiles have about children.
They live in a fantasy world where children are mini adults who want to be molested
and know what they're doing. The pedophile often blames the child for their own abuse.

I can't help but think that these shows help further the twisted and disturbing
thought patterns of pedophiles; and I imagine that pedophiles love the Disney
Channel for that reason! Crazy to think about them watching it, but I bet you anything
that they do.

[TorchTheWitch]

60. that was creepy - not borderline creepy

I felt like a pervert watching it and had to shut if off half way through (and not just because the music sucked).

Ew, I feel like I need to disinfect my eyes.

[demwing]

80. +100

[Common Sense Party]

88. Selena Gomez was 18 in that video, from what I can tell.

She was born in July 1992. The video and album came out last year, 2010, the album in September.

You're right about her audience-they're mostly young girls, and they get bombarded by sexualized images, and this video is a prime example of it.

But I don't think she was technically jailbait age when she did that. Just like Britney and Miley before her, when they reach 18, they want to tart up the image and appear more adult. Yuck.

[TorchTheWitch]

59. how about we just not objectify them at all regardless of their age?

Yeah, I know, never gonna happen. We're so comfortable with objectifying females that now we only get perturbed about it if the objectifying starts before puberty.

[CoffeeCat]

45. Thank you (nt)

[LWolf]

22. A decade ago,

I began to notice the fashion industry's attempts to sexualize pre-pubescent children.

The key word there: pre-pubescent. Not, physically, sexually mature. Not yet begun the process of developing sexual maturity.

I had a 3rd grade student who showed up for picture day with the word "sexy" in sequins across her flat chest, at the point her nipples would be under the shirt.

That same year, I had a 3rd grade student who came to school in cute little shorts...that said "bootilicious" across the back side.

Frankly, I thought the parents were derilict. That sending their daughters out dressed like that, they were walking invitations to pedophiles.

Frankly, I'd prefer that our society be less prudish, more matter-of-fact and accepting of the human body in every stage of development, every size and shape. It's the sick duality of shame, guilt, and the excitement of the "forbidden," and the worship of young bodies, while disdaining the rest, that is the real issue.

But I'm not intent on enforcing my opinion on others. As long as the majority in our society are ashamed of their own bodies and their own sexuality, as long as people of all ages are valued more for the state of their bodies and their perceived sexuality than the content of their character, we will continue to be, in my opinion, a sick society.

Setting up little girls to be focused on their value as a sexual object sets up a lot of women with self-esteem issues in the near future.

But, in the name of not enforcing decisions on parents, let's not speak up.

[SoCalDem]

36. It's been happening longer than that..

Decades ago, I saw bra-panty sets that came in size 4-6x..and tube tops with sparkly stuff on them, in the same size range.. And "glamour wigs" for girls.. This was at a JC Penney store in Albuquerque..and it was nowhere near Halloween:(

[LWolf]

70. I believe you.

I just noticed it becoming more mainstream.

:(

[AmericaIsGreat]

29. Right, many won't buy it

Nobody's saying it's not avoidable, just that it is completely, fucking tasteless and inappropriate.

[CoffeeCat]

43. I won't buy it...

...don't worry.

But that's not the point.

Marketing clothing that is designed to sexualize children--is morally twisted. It's wrong.

Society's role should be to protect children. They are innocent. We don't need corporate
yahoos trying to make money off of sexualizing young children, who lack the maturity and
cognitive skills to understand sex and sexuality.

These swimsuits also bother me because most pedophiles rationalize their sick thoughts and actions by
believing that children are sexual and that they want to have sex. They "adultify" children
and project adult thoughts onto these children--in order to justify their morally bankrupt
crimes against children.

Do we really want clothing that encourages pedophiles to become more entrenched in their
very deluded thinking?

Clothing and other garbage like this creates a much more dangerous environment for children.

[David__77]

56. I think that's a misunderstanding of sexual predators.

I do not think that such clothing items would encourage assault of children. I think the real issue here, in my opinion, is whether or not such clothing is gender-typing girls into roles that may harm them later on in life.

[CoffeeCat]

75. Men who molest children...

absolutely do adultify children. Pedophilia isn't just perpetrating sex crimes against
children--it's a boatload of twisted thought processes, rationalizations and denial.

Most children who are molested--are molested by close relatives--a father, stepfather,
grandfather or uncle. We're not talking about scary, toothless men in trench coats
hanging out in the park. Most molesters are in the home or they have access to the
children through the family.

Acting out sexually with your own daughter or granddaughter--would make the average
person sick, riddled with guilt and probably suicidal. The pedophile has these
feelings too--but their compulsion to perpetrate sex crimes on children overpowers
normal human emotion. The emotion is there, but it gets twisted, stuffed down,
contorted into all sorts of "pedophile thinking"--denial and rationalizations.

Pretty soon, the pedophile thinking is like a brick wall--which is why these animals
are able to continue abusing children and still function.

And absolutely--they blame the child. They orchestrate the sexual acts in ways that
make it seem as if the child is participating. These people truly believe that children
want to have sex, enjoy it and they assign adult feelings and intentions to these
children. It's essential to their belief that their behavior is fine and dandy.

Trust me, I've talked for hundreds of hours to therapists who treat pedophiles--in group
and one-on-one sessions. Their thinking is horrendously bizarre, but it's real. To break
through their denial--usually takes more than a year. It's so ingrained, because if they
allow anyone to punch through their denial--they're faced with, well--themselves.

Clothing like this--is like providing costumes for children that only reinforce the
pedophiles flawed thinking.

And sure, I think the clothing also does harm to how little girls view their role in
society--and what is important about themselves. I think BOTH of our points are true.

[Foo Fighter]

49. Exactly. Same goes for someone selling child porn. Don't like it? Don't buy it.

Good gawd. That's absolutely, positively, most definitely :sarcasm:, in case anyone wonders.

Though the person I was replying to may think otherwise. Apparently, child porn is A-OK, because hey, it's a free market. Anything goes.

[David__77]

57. You think that clothing item should be a federal felony?

You are equating it to child porn, which is clearly an assault on children. My initial response, which honestly was a bit tongue in cheek, was somewhat out of irritation that so many leap to make these connections, which only belittles ACTUAL assault on children. Parents buying their children clothes from Abercrombie is not akin to sexual assault!

[blondeatlast]

66. "...belittles ACTUAL assaults on children." Keep digging, Davy.

:wow:

No one in this thread (except you) is belittling the sexualization of children.

[David__77]

71. I'm only saying what a lot of people think. I don't think it's something to get to hyped up about.

Maybe it's the DU demographic, I don't know. I just don't see the problem in this case.

[blondeatlast]

72. I don't think "a lot" of people think that way--and I repeat--no one is

trivializing actual sexual assault on children by discussing this case. That was the point you made--and it's just plain wrong.

[David__77]

74. Fair enough.

My previous statement went too far. Being concerned about this doesn't trivialize anything else. I still don't see a problem, especially if it's true as was said elsewhere that it's really being marketed to 12 year olds... but I understand the concern about sexual pressures being placed on very young people.

[Keith Bee]

12. Our societal slouch toward acceptable pedophilia continues apace

It didn't start with Britney Spears, either.

[Maru Kitteh]

16. And some of it is slouching right through this thread as we speak. n/t

[CoffeeCat]

48. I watched "The Hangover" today...

...and I love that movie. But you have to wonder why the director/producer
thought it was ok to suggest that one of the characters was a pedophile.

The scruffy, bearded "one man wolfpack" guy made a few references that
suggested he was a pedophile.

Before they took off for Vegas, he told them he had to leave because he
"wasn't allowed within 500 feet of a school." Then, he pretended that
a baby was masturbating at the table during lunch. At the end, he told
his friends he couldn't return to Vegas next week because "The Jonas
Brothers were in town."

I thought to myself, that's not funny.

What's worse is that character was lovable and accepted by the end of the
film. He was the star.

So, why did the creators of this movie think that it was a good thing to
make this guy out to be a child molestor? Why even have those jokes in
the film?

[zbdent]

20. okay, not really on the "sexualization", but it could have set off warning bells for the overly

hyper-freaked out ...

a couple of months back, I was leaving a grocery store as a mother and her 2 grade-school or younger (early g.s.) girls were entering ...

I had to laugh when I heard the eldest (probably a first-grader) say "I want to be a stripper."

The mother said "Do you know what that is?"

Daughter: "No."

Mom: "It's a person who takes off their clothes."

I didn't hear the rest of the conversation ... but I can imagine one of these hyper types having a cerebral hemorrhage ...

[Maru Kitteh]

26. What do you suppose that bikini is supposed to "push up" and why?

[ZombieHorde]

23. Finally! I am sick and tired of all these flat chested 8 year olds running around.

Just kidding!

[name not needed]

28. Is there anything about that company that isn't creepy?

Hell, look at their 65 year old CEO.

[TroglodyteScholar]

30. You could have warned us! n/t

[blondeatlast]

32. Eeeeeuuuuuw. Icky, icky. nt

[Lithos]

39. You owe me a new keyboard and monitor

Warning next time please!

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

77. seriously?

That guy looks to be missing a few chromosomes.

[MilesColtrane]

81. Whoa! What the fuck is that?

It looks like the older, Busey brother they kept locked in the basement.

[name not needed]

84. That's what happens when your mid-life crisis lasts 25 years.

[Maru Kitteh]

89. mmyyyyyyyyyy eeeyyyyyyyyes..........

[Historic NY]

31. Well they're no longer selling hunting guns.

[Stevenmarc]

64. I miss the old Abercrombie & Fitch

[blondeatlast]

87. If people knew the roots of A&F they'd be stunned at what it's become.

It bears no resemblance to the old school store whatsoever.

[tammywammy]

33. What happened to one pieces?

When I was that age I was jumping and splashing around, a one piece is much better at 'staying put' versus a two piece.

When I got to high school and definitely had the body for it, I still preferred a one piece for swimming, plus I'm so pale skinned even when I was wearing a two piece I covered up in a shirt.

[ohheckyeah]

34. What makes these for 8 year olds?

I could have worn the smallest of those sizes when I was 16 or 17 years old. I was a late bloomer.

[Hugabear]

35. How else are parents going to get their kids to appear on 'Toddlers and Tiaras'

For those of you who aren't familiar with the show, or who haven't seen 'The Soup' rip on it, it's a reality show that focuses on child pageants.



And this is a 'classy' photo. Some of the things they have those kids wear borders on child porn.

[hayu_lol]

37. If they didn't sell like hotcakes...

A&F, et al, wouldn't sell them.

[blondeatlast]

40. That pic is disturbing. There's no emotion whatsoever in those faces.

No joy, no sadness, no excitment, no boredom--absolutely nothing whatsoever.

They look more like dolls than human.

[Chris_Texas]

52. Don't project. These kids are playing dress up. For stress and crazy you need to look at the crowd

I have seen and worked with hundreds of these parents and their kids both before and after the events and I can say with 100% assurance that most of the negative nonsense I have seen bandied about as truth is complete unadulterated bullshit.

From what I have seen, the parents are in general LESS crazy with their kids, LESS critical, LESS "helicoptering" (our term for hover-parents), and more tolerant of their kids just having fun and being kids. Nor have I encountered any of the winners or losers who seemed to give a crap about where they placed in the contest. I am sure some do -- but no more or less than the number that get a bit excessive over ANY kid's activity. Some parent's certainly go too far, with ANYTHING, but that's not the criteria we use for judging the worth of things.

[blondeatlast]

65. So I take it you are in the biz? Sorry, I think these girls would be

better served by dress-up parties like I went to when I was their age. The whole make-up and wigs thing and the intense focus on results is too much. My kid's a very talented and promising musician. He has done very well in many competitions--but when he was young, he wasn't competing against others. Even in many organized sports, most kids that age aren't competing against one another--the focus is on skills.

If you are in the biz, sorry, but I gotta call bullshit on your biz. Those girls would have more fun at a dress up party--and no tears or momma pressure required.

[snooper2]

83. Sweet, we can get it from the horses mouth...

What the fuck is the purpose of having a bikini contest on a four year old?

Huh? What twisted justification do you have for that?

[Ilsa]

38. What's really scary is that there are more 8 year olds that already

have developed breasts and need a bra. Way too early.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

44. I think a little girl might want to wear one of those to be modest.

[blondeatlast]

69. What modest? It has the actual shape of a breast--click uppity's link

and look at the bandeaus; swim fabric alone can't do that (and I do sew).

[TorchTheWitch]

91. girls don't stuff socks or kleenex in their bras to look modest

Padding of any kind in a bra is to make you look like you have larger breasts (or any breats at all). Wanting to look like you have breasts when you don't or bigger breasts than you have is the polar opposite of modesty... it's specifically to draw attention to the breasts.

And why this needs to be explained at all is beyond me.

[U4ikLefty]

46. Can't be lookin flat-chested just in case Justin Beiber shows up.

Now c'mon!!!

[uppityperson]

50. direct link, not sure where the "8 yr olds" bit comes in though

http://www.abercrombiekids.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10851&storeId=10101&langId=-1&categoryId=71458&parentCategoryId=12174&topCategoryId=12103&productId=752352

Sizes
small bust 27.5-28.5


I don't see why "8 yr olds" are the ones mentioned in the OP's link. What about 6 yr olds? What about 14 yr olds?

And no, kids do not need to be sexualized like this.

[blondeatlast]

67. Thanks for finding the direct link. It does clearly say "Abercrombie Kids."

That's not for a junior size--that's for an elementary school age bunch. Funny thing is, that's not even the "sexiest" swim top they offer--the bandeaus are clearly designed to give breast where breast is not--no "modesty" involved.

[uppityperson]

I very much dislike 2 piece suits on little kids. Why make little kids self conscious

when they don't need to be, why cover the area with a separate piece of cloth when there is no "breast" there? Are female nipples truly that, I don't know what, something, that little kids need this sort of crap?

[TorchTheWitch]

92. I always hated them because they don't stay on

Little girls shouldn't be curtailed in their play because of having to keep adjusting their swimsuit to keep the things that are supposed to be covered to stay covered or even have to worry about it at all.

[uppityperson]

94. Indeed.

[uppityperson]

76. I very much dislike 2 piece suits on little kids. Why make little kids self conscious

when they don't need to be, why cover the area with a separate piece of cloth when there is no "breast" there? Are female nipples truly that, I don't know what, something, that little kids need this sort of crap?

[seabeyond]

78. i was a competitive swimmer. grew up in az and calif. pools everywhere. i wanted to play

couldnt play in a two piece like a one piece

[blondeatlast]

85. Exactly--jump into the water and the top was up around my neck--

who needs that?

[Chris_Texas]

51. Sorry, but I don't buy the whole "sexualizing" angle

Lighten the hell up. It's a swimsuit, that's it.

[sudopod]

54. :/ nt

[TorchTheWitch]

61. it's a swimsuit with fake tits marketed to prepubencent girls

It's sick.

[uppityperson]

79. Should 5 yr old girls have padded breasts on their suits? Why?

[Common Sense Party]

90. Let me guess. You don't have a daughter.

You wouldn't say "Lighten the hell up" if you did.

[Liquorice]

53. I think they put these kinds of ridiculous things out there to get attention. This

store has pulled all kinds of stupid stunts to get in the news. Their formula seems to be sexy clothing plus the innocence of little girls equals attention. It's pathetic and gross.

[seaglass]

62. My daughter now 21 ALWAYS wore padding in her bras and not to look bigger.

It was definitely modesty, she did not want her nipples to show.

And yeah, as someone who basically went bra-less through her teenage yrs and early 20s it was a weird concept to me. For some reason having nipples showing is supposed to be embarrassing. It never embarrassed me but it was a big deal for my daughter's generation.

I think it is a style thing. If it says push up but there is nothing to push up/create cleavage it is a bikini top.

Not sure why the author states this is targeted to 8 year olds vs 12 year olds.

[adigal]

63. Hey, if no one bought them, they wouldn't make them

While I blame the company, I also blame the media, and the parents of 8 year old girls, who are afraid to say, NO, to their little darlings. There is no way my daughter would EVER have worn a padded top as an 8 year old! It just boggles my mind!

[slackmaster]

73. Eight-year-olds, Dude.

[Quantess]

86. It's probably better to let the 8 year old girls go topless.

Seriously.

[TorchTheWitch]

93. and when they start to develop breasts suddenly they have to cover them

How is that going to make those girls feel about their newly developing bodies? How is it going to make that one girl feel when she starts to develop earlier than her friends and is the only one made to cover up? Or the girl that takes forever to develop any breasts and is the only one of her friends not made to cover up?

Kids already feel awkward and embarrassed about their newly developing bodies... how would it be better to only make them cover up when those embarrassing new bits start developing thereby giving them the sense that there is something so ugly or wrong about them that they suddenly need to start hiding them?