Taken Down

I think if you're looking for the bad in something, you'll find it. Sometimes a tshirt is just a tshirt.

Please don't read too much into the characters on kids clothing. You quipped that the insults have begun, but YOU opened that can of worms ;)

If I could find shirts for my girls that said 'baby brother for sale'... They'd wear them all the time. It doesn't mean they are literally selling their baby brother ;)

Images do not necessarily 'make' someone violent.

In many parts of the world, parts that are violent, the people wear their indigenous clothing or whatever traditional attire they have in their culture. Many of these clothing, are sans "images" on the clothing and are just, textile prints or solids.

In other parts of the world, they do wear current fashion or trendy clothing with images on it. And it may relate to Gender. Some of these images on the clothing, may be seen a 'violent' and 'aggressive' etc.
Example: In Japan... they originated since even when I was a child, characters or "superheros' in the Anime genre. Characters such as "Kikaida", Gundam, Power Rangers, Transformers, the Bakugan series, etc. The Japanese kids, wear t-shirts with these characters on it etc. But they as a culture and as a Nation... are NOT "violent" nor aggressive.
Also culturally, they have for centuries, had Marital Arts & battles as an intrinsic part of their culture. However, that does not 'make' them 'violent' or 'aggressive'. Nor are they that way, presently.

Clothing/images, does not 'make' a person or culture.... violent or aggressive.

There are many cultures, that have very plain clothing with NO images on it whatsoever. And they are the most violent and aggressive of cultures. It is their cultural Ethos.

Clothing/images... does not beget, behavior. Conclusively nor consistently nor predictably nor finitely.

all the best,
Susan

So because my son wears Ironman, Batman or dinosaurs (of which he has a thousand shirts and toys) he is going to be a sexual predator? I believe that Ironman, Batman and the other heros were the good guys? No I do not see the logic. If that were the case what is my daughter going to grow up to be with wearing Barbie, because we all know what kind of reputation Barbie has....

I'm not trying to be insulting but is this truly a concern? Because you could just throw in football (extremely violent - also uses racist and aggressive symbols for teams e.g. pirates football teams, red skins, etc). Sprinkle that with video games, tv shows, magazines, comic books, cartoons, movies, music, other sports, etc.

It's up to us as parents to teach our children right from wrong, kindness, compassion, pride, respect for oneself and others - not mass media, pop culture or clothing? Sexual attire, aggression, and domination were around many centuries before now. My SO thinks Disney (princess) stories are bad because it gives our daughter the wrong message, however, Curious George (one of his favorite stories) doesn't? He's a bad monkey.. always getting into trouble - that's from many of his books. Oh please, we can find bad in anything and everything and again, it's up to us to teach our children to see it all and make the right choice.

Who says parents should "just focus on keeping little ones free of sexual attire?" You're insinuating that that's the ONLY THING EVARRRRR that parents are concerned about. You assume that by parents supporting the non-sexualization of children, those same parents are supporting the desensitization of violence.

Why are you assuming that these issues are not mutually exclusive?

Look, if you're bothered by certain themes of clothing in boys attire then speak with your dollars. Don't buy those themes. Spend your dollars elsewhere. Money talks. Cater to companies who cater to parents with your ideals.

Wow. You're serious? Really? I'm going to have to come back to this because I am literally speechless. This might be the MOST ridiculous leap of logic that I've ever seen here.

I feel sorry for your son.

Try JCPenny's they have stylish clothes for boys that are not aggression based nor are they too cutesy either. For me, construction shirts went out of his wardrobe at 2.

If we make it they will buy it. Maybe we can make a fortune marketing shirts that say "here comes spoiled" and "future slut" and "No one ever taught me manners" The other day I saw a toddler wearing a shirt that said "My mom's hot" I cant imagine choosing to put my kid in that although of course I was very hot when my kids were toddlers, I did not think to advertise it. I dont see why boys cant wear Darth Vader, they may not even know he's the bad guy. Pirates are "in " right now again kids dont know they murdered and raped.
(People are crazy try not to let it bother you)

I just HATE the boys clothes that are out there, and now that my kid is in the "bigger dept" (8-20) it's even harder to find decent stuff.
I hate character clothes, etc.....he's a kid, not a billboard!

I understand, H.. It seems like every where we look there is a double standard.

It's funny, a couple of days ago we were at a waterpark and there were SO many girls in skanky bikinis with most of their boobs falling out. My husband was SO irritated by the lack of modesty, but I had to point out that one of the kids in our group got a t-shirt made that sait "Text me! ;)" on the front and his phone number on the back.
Now, I had to ask my husband, why is a girl in a too tight, trashy bikini (not to be confused with a tasteful, well fitting bikini) for attention any different from the well dressed, clean cut boy in our group with the desperate bid for attention printed on his shirt?
In my opinion, it's a double standard.

I totally realize that this had nothing to do with your question and I am so sorry! :) But I say all of this to say that I GET what you are saying and you have really made me think.

Thanks, H.!

I am a pretty plain dresser myself! But, plain tees are hard to find for my boys. I buy most of their clothes at Kohls, JCPenney, and KMart. I avoid the smart-aleck shirts and cheesy saying. I do buy shirts with tractors, trucks, dinosaurs, and sports. They don't bother me.

I try not to focus on the violence of it...if I make too much of a stink over it - it only makes them want it more...so I discuss my views with them and then let them make the decision..they end up choosing things like Iron Man, Spongebob and camouflage PJs...

I was TOTALLY hurt as a kid when my sister bought me a shirt that said "here comes trouble"

We as a society have allowed the violence - people say it's "free speech" others just laugh and say "get over it" - in general we have become accustomed to or even apathetic over violence....because we've seen so much of it - it doesn't even "bother" us anymore..

well, let's take a walk back in time: weren't the 50s & 60s all about cowboys & indians? Didn't the clothing industry help perpetuate the genocide of an entire race? How is this different from today's clothing?

I'd have to say that in the last 60 years....nothing's really changed! & that said, it's up to parents to choose what works best for their own family & their beliefs. & I agree, in addition to the sexuality in clothing, we also have to deal with rampant racism, a division of the social classes, & many other aspects of today's society......all tied up into a little t-shirt.

I truly don't believe your ? today is beyond the scope of this forum. Some parents believe in looking at the varying aspects of how society impacts & affects children's mental growth......& that's what your ? addresses. Good Job!.....& as a head's up, we bought into the TMNTurtle thing with our older son & knew better when our younger son was born! Peace....

Oh don't get me started on boys clothing!
My son is only 1 and I have had a really hard time outfitting him.
So stupid and so ugly!
I had a much easier time keeping DD looking darling and age appropriate.

It is very frustrating and I imagine is only going to get harder, as it has w/ DD who has finally grown out of 5T. :(

Wow- lets not take this personally- but you do have a point I suppose. Kids are more aggressive and exposed to more now than they used to be.
I don't ( have never Will never) buy "character" clothes for my kids. I don't care if it cartoons or superheros I refuse to buy it. So you have to think it isn't the kids it is the parents and people are more angry and aggressive than they used to be. As for the skull and bones that is done to death and my boys wont wear any of that either- my oldest calls them "dbag" clothes.

It's dumb, but we don't have to buy them. I've never bought my boys one of those shirts.