How could we ever forget Britney Spears' sexy school-girl-gone-bad video "Hit Me Baby One More Time?" She wasn't even 17.
But at least Spears never pretended she wasn't marketing sexy. Now, girls are sexy younger, and the messages are subtler.
The holy trinity of tweendom--Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato and, of course, Miley Cyrus--first took over little girls' televisions everywhere, and have infiltrated billboards, magazines and now our clothing stores.
Miley's various photo scandals--from Vanity Fair to MySpace--are pretty much common knowledge. But Gomez and Lovato have maintained their reputation for being family friendly, even when they shoot suggestive glances and dance seductively in videos like this.
Don't get me wrong. I think Gomez and Lovato are adorable (not so much Miley), and I don't think it's their fault. They're just imitating the girls before them, just like every other girl in the country.
Abercrombie's tween line's, Abercrombie Kids, homepage features tweens photographed from the waist down.
Hollister's new tween shirts feature slogans like "legal-ish" and "I heart the Woody"
I think some marketing dumbass decided to armor the young stars with promise rings to stay virgins until marriage as a weapon against accusations of sexy poses with lips slightly parted and eyes half closed. They can't be inappropriate because they're virgins. But for some reason, it seems to have worked.
Frankly, I'd rather have a sexually active daughter than a virginal one that looks like a slut. But neither would be preferable.
I hope its OK if guys read this site. I agree with what you say. It also seems that the problem is market driven. If parents stop buying these products and supporting the poor choices of their children then the mighty dollar will force a change for the better. mlw
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