It’s true that many times when I have deep thoughts they run closer to Jack Handy. However, this issue of retailers and what is offered to our children is really taking up a lot of my brain space. I weighed in yesterday about what is offered to our little girls in stores. Today I just want to quickly add that it’s not just our girls that are being bombarded with inappropriate choices.
Although both of my children own t-shirts, they are my son’s primary source of bodily cover. I hate shopping for t-shirts. The t-shirts I see these days are covered with inane and disrespectful pictures and writing. (Jules’ post about some t-shirts she saw started this whole discussion.)
"For Sale: One Sister. Cheap."
"I’m Not Listening."
"Who Cares?"
"Too bad you’re not me."
If you’re 21 and you want to wear these, I can’t stop you. Fine. Whatever. When I see anyone under 21 wearing these t-shirts I just cringe. The implied disrespect is there regardless of how well-behaved the child. The bad attitude is there regardless of the perfect angel he or she really is. I just don’t see the point. There are other choices. I’m fine with skater dudes on t-shirts. I’m fine with camo. I’m great with stripes. Hawaiian? Oh yeah. Animals? Bring ‘em on. Quit with the attitude already. You don’t think I’m going to get that soon enough? Thanks, but no thanks.
By the way, on a related but different note, Shannon is discussing the Moms for Modesty Mission Statement over at her site. Lively, civil discussion. I haven’t weighed in yet because I’m still trying to get my thoughts together.
What do you think of this: Stupid is as stupid does.
That’s all I have to say ’bout that.
Updated to add: I have to say I have laughed at some of the t-shirts I’ve seen on the racks. I admit it freely. I do have a sense of humor, after all. However, that does not mean they are appropriate for my child to wear. I happen to love the pink bunny and his irreverence. He says what I’m feeling many times (as evidenced in a previous post). Under no circumstances would I ever allow my children to wear something with the pink bunny. That goes for the other asinine t-shirts as well. Just because it makes me laugh doesn’t mean I’m going to buy it and let my child wear it. And a lot of them don’t even make me laugh.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
When I was teaching high school, I had to have a talk with two of my students who were wearing t-shirts with double meanings. They were totally inappropriate for school or any other time, in my opinion (one was of a chipmunk with an acorn that said, “get off my nuts.” Seriously???).
I HATE those kind of shirts! Do people actually think kids “need” help in the attitude department? Sigh! I have 3 boys and sometimes have trouble finding shirts that aren’t rude or evil-looking w/ freaky pictures. Glad to know other people feel like this too.
I posted about a week ago on this very subject! The Target ad had boy’s shirts that said things like “Enough with the Learning already!” and “I tried to be good but I got bored”
There is NO WAY I am letting my son be any less “modest” than my daughter. NO ONE in my family will wear these things.
I have a ten year old son and all I’ve got to say is, “Amen, sister.” I’ll admit that I think some of the sayings are perversely clever, but I would never in a million years buy one for my son.
I posted something similar on my site this week in reponse to the Modesty. I have 2 boys and no girls. Fortunately my boys get enough T-shirts through various activites that I don’t have to go to the store to buy them. We do have a collection from schools (GRADE SCHOOL, parent;s alma maters) and as souvineers (NC Transportation museum, some Disney Character). While I grinned the first time I saw some of those attitude T’s. The more I thought about it, the less I thought they were cute.
Those t-shirts drive me nuts. We look high and low to find some that are funny without being disrespectful–no easy task.
You know, I’ve been thinking a lot about this topic also. I signed the petition and I put the button on my site. I’m totally in agreement. But honestly, I think it’s just a matter of consumers saying “no”. I believe the only impact that we can have on retailers is to boycott that type of clothing.
So for me, this discussion is good because it brings to light an issue that we’ve been very blase about in our country. But bottom line, nothing will change until people stop buying the junk.
My daughter’s only nine, so we haven’t really had an issue with this yet. I have no problem finding decent clothes. It’s not that we don’t see the bad stuff, but there are choices. But I know as she gets older, this will become more difficult. If not for the idiot “sayings” on T-shirts, the for the provocative style. I was a high school guidance counselor. Our rule was that the shirt had to touch the pants. And raunchy T-shirts were banned. We used to make kids switch into lost and found t-shirts. So it was never a problem for very long;)
you said it – we may find something funny but may not be appropriate for kids.
I agree, not appropriate and disrespectful!
I like the camouflage shirt that says, “You can’t see me” ROTFL
Well said Chili. I too despise the attitude shirts, even though they do make me chuckle when they are on the hanger.
The Tominator does have one that says “I do all my own stunts” but seriously, he’s already fallen down the stairs 4 times. And counting.
I know I am reading this as an archive and you will not see this comment, but I felt strongly enough about this topic to reply any way. I was looking for TODDLER T-shirts last weekend. My son is two and already wears a 4T shirt. I had very few choices that did not have really rude comments on them. I look at a t-shirt, and if I don’t want my son to say that to me, won’t buy the shirt.