Results tagged “consumer culture” from The Health Culture

A UK clothing chain, popular discount retailer Primark, reacted swiftly to criticism of its padded bikini bras designed for girls as young as seven. The product has been withdrawn, and Primark announced it would donate any profits from the inappropriately sexualizing items to a children's charity. The bikinis were selling for £4 ($6).

The British tabloid The Sun broke the story last week and featured it prominently day after day. It congratulated itself on "a victory for The Sun" when Primark announced it would no longer sell the item. Meanwhile, its front page headlines generated considerable sales and not just among readers who were concerned with protecting the innocence of childhood. More often than not, the headlines drew one's attention to the "Paedo" (pedophile) angle on the story (as in "Paedo bikini banned" and "Paedo Heaven on High Street.") The Sun is known for its coverage of issues such as Don't grow up too soon, Miley, complete with photos that encourage the very behavior the text claims to criticize.