Target, you know I love you, I really do. You manage to make shopping in a big box store fun and pretty, I can check a whole bunch of things off my list with one visit, and that dog with the eye-circle is super cute – but you really stepped in it this time. Like, you better throw those shoes away stepped in it.

This was in the girls section, size 7-14:

While I am relieved this atrocity is in the clearance section, meaning that consumers are not buying the bullshit your clothes-purchasers thought we should be wearing, I have to ask myself who thought this was a good idea? Which executive at Target was all like:

“Hey, when looking at girls age 7-14, I want to put thoughts of dating and availability in the heads of adults and other children.”

It seems like your executive clothing buyers are lacking a little common sense at the decision table. Here are some things to consider as you move forward with the objective of selling adorable fashions to young people (letting go of the objective of setting women and girls back 50-100,000 years, which I am sure Target does not want to do.Well, pretty sure).

1. Young people do not benefit from sexual pressure.

Honestly, what Brainiac thought to themselves:

“Huh. You know what is funny? Little girls dating. What hook-up/courtship kind of attire would really get these girls in that seven-year-old age-appropriate ‘I need a man’ mindset? I just don’t think the princess culture has done enough.

2. Young people are not defined by their dating status.

Who wears their dating status branded across their chest? I mean, a grown person looking for some immediate sexual attention, maybe (no judgment – do what you gotta do). But a first-through-eighth grader wearing a shirt with their hookup status branded across developing breasts, as if that is the most important thing they have to say about themselves? Get real.
3. Target seems like an odd place to advertise young girls.
That’s not a typo. I didn’t mean advertise TO young girls. I actually meant advertise the young girls themselves. What does this shirt say if not “Young girls in our community are available; make them an offer?”

That is just gross Target. Knock it off.

4. If it seems weird to put the same message on a boy’s shirt, then it’s weird to put it on a girl’s shirt.
It was one thing when we saw “Superhero” shirts for boys and “Super Sweetie” shirts for girls, or “Genius” shirts for boy and “Future Mrs. Bieber” shirts for girls, but advertising sexual or romantic availability on young, developing bodies is so super creepy. Target, you have to see that.
Let’s just keep it simple. If you wouldn’t do it for a boy, don’t do it for a girl. While the issues of gender and identity are deep and layered, this rule is easy. Please use it.

Thanks Target. I am sure this will never happen again, and this little guide I’ve created for you will be put to good use. Please hurry because I am in need of some stylish yet affordable fashion, without having to prostitute my daughter.

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