Tags: Disney
Posted September 21st, 2011, in Breast Cancer, Creepy Marketing, Princesses | 5 Comments
According to a new report on bisphenol (BPA) in kids’ canned food released today by the Breast Cancer Fund, Campbell’s Disney Princess and Toy Story soups test highest for that toxin, which is typically used to harden plastic or make the linings of metal food cans. BPA has been linked to breast cancer, infertility and early puberty in girls, as well as prostate cancer in males and type-2 diabetes, obesity and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in both sexes. Isn’t that magic? According to the report BPA exposure is of special concern in children “because this endocrine-disrupting chemical can affect children’s hormonal systems during development and set the stage for later‐life diseases.” Campbell’s wasn’t the only offender, nor was Disney. Even organic brands contain BPA, though in far less parts per billion (ppb): Earth’s Best Organic Elmo Noodlemania Soup had 38 ppb (the Princess pasta had 114) and Annie’s Homegrown Cheesy [...]
Tags: age compression, CAMD, girlie girl culture, Let kids be kids, pink princess culture camd, premature sexualization
Posted September 18th, 2011, in Creepy Marketing, Why I Wrote CAMD | 18 Comments
Even though I don’t like to harp on Toddlers & Tiaras contestants (because as I always say, looking at their extreme behavior desensitizes us to the every day sexualization “regular” girls face, plus they get enough PR) I can’t help but be fascinated–and concerned–by the trajectory of Eden Wood. I wrote about her and her mother, Mickie, in CAMD back when Eden was four. Now she’s quit pageants and, according to People, it’s become clear as to why: she’s got bigger things going on. This week 6-year-old Eden made her Fashion Week debut modeling footwear for the kids’ line Cicciabella: Ahem. You’re supposed to be looking at the boots. The evening’s hostess, Kelley Bensimon (could this GET any weirder?) said Eden was just having a “fun girly moment.” Because, you know, she’s wearing PINK and all. But I guess that’s the kind of comment you get when you look [...]
Tags: age compression, fighting back, girlie girl culture, Let kids be kids, premature sexualization
Posted September 12th, 2011, in Creepy Marketing, Why I Wrote CAMD | 64 Comments
Ta da! Ha! I’m just messing with you. Over my undead body would my kid be wearing this Clawdeen Wolf Monster High costume, available at Toys’R’Us, in sizes “recommended” for 4-6 year olds. So all that rot you Monster High fans are telling me about how the line isn’t MEANT for little girls? Tell that to Mattel. Or to the 4-year-old rocking a Frankie Stein costume. Or the kindergartner who wants to dress as Cleo de Nile: Now THAT’S scary. Look, I don’t mean to pick on Monster High. These images just happened to come across my desk today. A reader recently sent me this one: Helloooo, Kitty! It’s no secret that little girls’ Halloween costumes have gotten sexier. The topic comes up in the media every October. But the issue is so much bigger. Two of the world’s wisest women, Deb Tolman and Lyn Mikel Brown broke [...]
Tags: age compression, CAMD, Disney, girlie girl culture, pink, pink princess culture camd, premature sexualization, princess culture
Posted September 7th, 2011, in Creepy Marketing, Fairy Tales, Princesses, Why I Wrote CAMD | 82 Comments
I just received a press release (excerpted below) below from the Disney Store. Those pseudo-empowering” Rapunzels and Belles are just bait-and-switch for trusting parents. The big money–the REAL money (the $5 BILLION a year) is creating and selling to what here is called the “Princess Fashionista” and then keeping her business and loyalty as she reaches the high-spending tweens and beyond. Interesting that girls here are no longer encouraged by Disney to live HAPPILY ever after but STYLISHLY ever after. Hence my theory that really, the thing to be concerned about these days is NOT the rescued-by-the-prince fantasy so much as the way today’s Princess culture girls to a of femininity that is sexualized, narcissistic, self-objectifying, vain, commercialized, self-objectifying….and need I say UNHEALTHY? Fashionistas receive the royal treatment with an enchanted evening of pampering and accessorizing, Disney-style PASADENA, Calif., September 7, 2011–Disney Store will celebrate New York City’s Fashion’s Night Out [...]
Tags: age compression, fighting back, girlie girl culture, Let kids be kids, pink princess culture camd, premature sexualization
Posted September 3rd, 2011, in Recommendations, Recommendations Grown-ups, Why I Wrote CAMD | 5 Comments
Okay, yeah, just when I think Toddlers & Tiaras can’t sink any lower, it does. And though I think the whole T&T business detracts from the real and (God, I hope) more subtle forms of sexualization most girls face every day it also desensitizes us and, as I have said (and said and said) can let viewers off the hook with its extremity, making us think, even unconsciously, “well, nothing I do with my daughter is THAT bad.” Still, posting this video of a 4-year-old with FAKE BOOBS YES I SAID FAKE BOOBS is irresistible. They got me. I can’t help it. totalVisit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy But to do penance for posting that–and because it’s FAR more important and worthy and necessary and totally mandatory viewing, here is a clip of my aforementioned Shero, La Rachel Simmons on the same show talking [...]
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