I wish I could save this post for a time when people are actually reading this blog. I’m certain I’m preaching to the choir here since only my daughter and maybe one other person really even knows about this. Anywho, my husbands’ or my kids’ hard-earned or gifted $ will NEVER! I repeat NEVER be used to purchase clothing from any company that objectifies and sexualizes kids. And by “kids”, I mean anyone under the age of 21-even if they’re made up to look older. Let me go further to state that I won’t allow the kids to wear hand-me-downs from above-referenced companies-sorry. Seriously, have you done a google image search for Abercr*mbie? It’s gross. I couldn’t believe my parental controls didn’t block most of them.

Just out of curiosity, I went to A&F’s website and clicked on “kids” just to see what would pop up. It was wierd, I tell ya. You couldn’t even see the clothes, though I could tell the child models had many layers on. Three kids were in that Brooke shields, CK pose, you know the one that caused much controversy in the 80’s. Except these kids were on a beach and you could only see them from the back. Bizarre.

I haven’t worn CK since I saw a toddler in one of their print ads years ago that was made up to look like a teenager and looking at the camera in a suggestive way. I know CK doesn’t care about my piddly money, they’re doing just fine, I’m sure. But for me, I just would rather not promote the label.

I’ve been hearing a lot about “Hollister”, how it’s popular and sort of a rival to A & F. Honestly, my oldest is just getting big enough to buy jr. clothing but some sizes just don’t fit right, so this is all new to me. I haven’t been to the store so I have no idea whether they promote their clothes in the same manner as A & F. Judging by the website or a quick “google image” search-not much difference.

The prices at both stores are also exploitative, so count me and mine out. So far, Hannah agrees with me.  I know as she gets older, it might be harder for her to stick to these convictions but I’m not budging.

I’m aware of the possibility that the stores I do buy from probably exploit children in a different way (child labor, etc.) and I’d like to know about it. I’d like to be socially conscious when I spend hard-earned money. Educate me, please.