The Clothes Wars

A recent study by ABC News showed the majority of parents are unhappy with current fashion trends. Unfortunately they are still buying. How can we stop the path clothes manufacturers are leading our children down without becoming "the enemy" ? Good, old-fashioned capitalism!

Supply and demand is a fairly simple concept. The more demand there is for a product, the more is made to sell. The more you buy a certain shirt from Target, the more Target orders, the more money the company makes from the shirt. It isn't enough to not buy the shirt! One sale will make a very small amount of difference to the money made by the company producing the shirt. (It also shows your son or daughter you are only concerned about the impression his or her appearance has on other people.)

What will make a difference? Think about the path money takes from the consumer to the clothing manufacturer. One purchase is insignificant. A store's order is not. Complain directly to the store manager, especially if you can get a group of parents together. Let the person responsible know what is being sold in their store is inappropriate. If you can get a group together, the media loves confrontations with Big Business. Invite a reporter along for the ride.

The kids may not like the fact that you are not buying them the clothes they want, but they will appreciate the message that it isn't about them. It's about the message that is being sent to all children. You can't choose the world's wardrobe, but you can make a difference. You can also do your part to put pressure on the parents that allow their children to wear this stuff.

One woman I spoke with commented on how her daughter's best friend was no longer allowed at their house. It was a hard decision to make, but at ten her mother and father were letting her wear make-up, shorts that showed off her backside, and tank tops. The final straw was when the girls went swimming and she had on a string bikini with a padded top. The rules were laid down, and now the girl can only visit if she is wearing more modest clothing and no make-up.

Of course we can't control what other parents allow and what they don't, and it isn't our right to raise other people's children, but we can let them know what we find acceptable. If they want their children to be able to come over and play, they will have to buy them more childlike clothing. That boosts demand and supply for suitable children's clothing, and let's clothing manufacturers know what PARENTS want and are willing to buy.

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