Primark's Padded Bikini For Seven-Year-Old Girls PULLED From Stores

UK department store Primark has pulled padded bikini tops for girls from its shelves after being criticized for "premature sexualization," the BBC reports. The store apologized and said it would donate all profits to a children's charity.

The padded tops were made in sizes for girls ages seven and eight, and were priced at £4.

Penny Nicholls, director of children and young people at UK charity The Children's Society, explained, "We know from our research that commercial pressures towards premature sexualisation and unprincipled advertising are damaging children's well-being."

Child protection consultant Shy Keenan of the Phoenix Chief Advocates had stronger words to share regarding Primark's actions. She told the Sun UK, "It never fails to amaze me just how many High Street household names are now prepared to exploit the disgusting 'pedophile pound.'"

Primark pulled the bikinis almost immediately. Keenan later told the BBC, "We could not have asked for a better outcome."

Comments

[KristaPeck]

10:29 AM on 04/15/2010

This makes the feminist and mother in me want to scream. Kudos to the store for pulling this ridiculous garment. I do see tots and elementary aged girls wearing outfits that belong on 20-something-year-old women, and always wonder what their parents are thinking.

[usamade]

08:26 AM on 04/15/2010

And as a grown woman, I can't find anything that isn't padded or spandexed.

[ChangeurMind]

07:09 AM on 04/15/2010

When Heidi Montag, not even 25 already gets plastic surgery, what do you expect. Welcome to make money America.

[LibChicAZ]

08:53 PM on 04/14/2010

I never bought my nieces any of those clothes that looked like mini stripper outfits. Even the "princess" stuff sends the wrong message. And what's the appeal of those Bratz dolls?

[Ali Rockwood]

06:35 PM on 04/14/2010

they have padded bras and swimsuit tops for little girls here in the usa, and underwires too, on size 28AAA bras. in the children's section, not the juniors department, right next to the multi-packs of undies with horses, fairies, and rainbows on them. it is horrifying.

my 11yo daughter feels pressure to wear such garments from other 5th grade girls who already do. these kids have no clue that they are being made into baby sex objects and their parents don't seem to be any more aware. these girls look like 11 years going on 18, complete with big jewelry, high heels, skinny jeans and glossy lips. it is a real challenge to allow my daughter the freedom of a proper childhood, she is surrounded by sexually oriented peer pressure from girls.

when my daughter complains that i'm too strict i tell her she has her whole life to look sexy. like when she's supporting herself with her own work!

[ChangeurMind]

07:06 AM on 04/15/2010

u go mom! keep it up.

[Suntio]

01:34 PM on 04/14/2010

Good for them. In America the response would have been: "it's free speech, b!tch".

[hulagirrrl]

08:47 PM on 04/14/2010

No I think not. America is way too prude, I think they would not even allow their favorite store Walmart to get away with such a thing.