Would you let your daughter wear this t-shirt?

by Karen Walrond (Subscribe to Karen Walrond's posts) Sep 22nd 2006 1:29PM

Categories: Development, Media, Kid Decor & Style

Yesterday, as I was doing some of my usual surfing of the blogosphere, I came across an article featuring the t-shirt you see here. At first, as I read the words, I thought to myself, "yeah, okay, this t-shirt isn't in the best of taste, but whatever, you know? To each her own."

Then, I read on. Turns out the t-shirt is being sold by dELiA's, a boutique that targets pre-teen, tween and teenage girls.

Hmm.

Now, I know I'm pretty uptight when it comes to raising my kid, so I'll go ahead and calmly and coolly admit right now that I'm one of those moms that would rather have her child walk naked out of her house, than wear a t-shirt like this one in public.

Ahem.

I understand, however, that this just may be me. What about you? Would you allow your daughter to wear this?

(Via Feministing)

Comments (51)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

Kobie 9-22-2006 @ 1:43PM

I'm on the opposite end of the spectum.....NO ONE would describe me as remotely uptight.

There is NO FREAKIN' WAY my daughter would where this....at any age....

What she wears after she grows up and moves out (18+ years hence) is her own business....but this just....wrong!

Kobie 9-22-2006 @ 1:51PM

ann adams 9-22-2006 @ 1:39PM

No.

Jasmine 9-22-2006 @ 1:43PM

Girl, I am Proud of you for your restraint. I dont have much. I am completely in agreement with you. I would rather my child walk out naked than wearing something like that. I will never understand what is wrong with not only the people who make these ridiculous things for children, but the idiotic parents who allow their children to wear them. You are begging for pedophiles and to make a blatant sexual object out of them. Other people will do that to them enough, it shouldnt be coming from their parents too.

Jen 9-22-2006 @ 2:07PM

No way. I'm with you. Naked is better.

Kim Becker 9-22-2006 @ 1:48PM

Not in a million FRIGGING years, and I like all of the sassy and retro shirts for babies and toddlers! But this is just RUDE it would be distasteful on a grown woman but on a child it is just YUCK!

Shame on whoever makes it, sells it and the parents that let their children wear it!

Sharon 9-22-2006 @ 1:53PM

I find it hard to believe that there is any parent out there who would knowingly permit their pre-teen/teen daughter to wear this shirt. If so, I shudder to think of their daughter's future - unwanted pregnancy, STDs, etc. I'm sure most of these shirts will be sold directly to the teens without their parent's knowledge.

Our children don't get to be children for long, especially nowadays. The media has done a terrific job of convincing our children that being grown up, even on a XXX level is better than embracing the age that they are. Why can't they get a little more creative at marketing clothes and toys more suitable to their age.

I know, most of us wanted to grow up faster when we were pre-teens, but this is disgusting. Shame on you, dELiA's.

Justin 9-22-2006 @ 2:01PM

An article of clothing, or the absence of clothing for that matter CANNOT attract pedophiles who would not be otherwise drawn to a child. This is not opinion, but rather scientific fact.

I happen to think this is a cool little tee. My only daughter is 14, and if she wanted to wear it there would be no complaints from me. Actually, at a day camp she attended this past summer, there was a day for sassy, sexy tees and thi shirt would have been great.

Mommies, please understand that we women must be flippant and cool with our sexuality in order to take CONTROL over it.

Ginny 9-22-2006 @ 2:01PM

Justin - with all due respect, WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?

Ginny 9-22-2006 @ 2:02PM

AND while I'm at it...WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOUR DDs DAY CAMP?

Sharon 9-22-2006 @ 2:05PM

Justin, I kind of get what you're saying, although I can't agree with it. How about treating our sexuality like the beautiful gift that it is, with dignity, pride and respect? Then maybe others will pick up on that attitude, too?

Gladys M. 9-22-2006 @ 2:04PM

Come on, ladies. This shirt is funny - and its humor is lost when grown-ups wear it. The basis of the humor is that a teen wears it!!

LB 9-22-2006 @ 2:06PM

This shirt is tacky and stupid and offensive. I would not allow my teen to wear it but please note the shirt is not made in children's sizes. This is for juniors, the shirts starts in an XS-

http://store.delias.com/sizeChart.do

I realize there are plenty of tweens who can wear that size but with many places like Landsend and dept stores offering bigger girls clothing (size 16) no one is forced to take their tween DD to Delia's and the like, leave it to the older teens and college aged girls, who I still hope will not wear this but that's another story.

Mir 9-22-2006 @ 2:05PM

Um, Justin? Forget pedophiles. How about not attracting horny teenage boys who now know the wearer's parents think sexuality amongst CHILDREN is a-okay?

Take control of our sexuality? Sure. As ADULTS. And preferably without wearing billboards about the state of our vaginas. Sheesh.

jean 9-22-2006 @ 2:06PM

haha this is a funny shirt, and i'm 57! i don't see anything remotely controversial or tasteless about. in fact, i'd like to see one for guys with the same slogan.

Chris 9-22-2006 @ 2:12PM

Tight means cool. Ask a teenager. I'm ashmed of you all.... dang bunch of pervs.

Jonathon 9-22-2006 @ 2:15PM

I'd really, really LIKE to think that when my daughter is that age I'll be the kind of parent that kind understand that teenagers aren't stupid, realize EXACTLY what their tshirt says/means and the potential ramifications of it. I'd like to think that my daughter will know the difference between saying/wearning something funny and engaging in an unsafe/unhealthy lifestyle.

But I agree with all, it's tacky.

Sharon 9-22-2006 @ 2:16PM

Let me assure you that there are plenty of early-blooming or larger 11 and 12 year olds that could easily wear an X-small and have it still fit rather snugly. Those kind of t-shirts usually run small and tight, anyway.

Torie 9-22-2006 @ 2:22PM

So you moms honestly would rather your daughters go NAKED out in public rather then with this shirt on??? Wow...that's kinda hard to believe...i'de rather they have this or anything on rather then nothing!

Anna V. 9-22-2006 @ 2:34PM

I don't get the uproar. "I'm tight like spandex" is a slangy and 'in' way of saying "I'm really cool." It has nothing to do with sexual innuendo, and I had to read it several times to get a risque reference.

For the record, my husband watches 'Pimp My Ride' every once in a while, and the people use 'tight' all the time.

| 1 | 2 | 3 | Most Recent | Next 20 Comments

How To Submit Photos:
If you'd like your children (any age will do!) featured on ParentDish, upload photos into the ParentDish Flickr Pool. Be sure to read our main Flickr page for more information.