I'd be more concerned with who was looking at my kid's underwear than what ....

[Raineyrocks]

was written on it!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1044496/Outrage-High-School-Musical-knickers-young-girls-emblazoned-words-Dive-In.html

Outrage at High School Musical knickers for young girls emblazoned with the words 'Dive In'

By Emily Andrews
Last updated at 7:12 PM on 13th August 2008

   
Disney has sparked outrage by producing High School Musical pants for young girls with the suggestive words 'Dive In' emblazoned across them.

The underwear, part of the hugely successful movie's range of merchandise, has also been criticised by the NSPCC.

The packs of knickers are on sale in Asda, where Sue Ralph unwittingly bought some for her seven-year-old granddaughter in the Broadstairs, Kent, store.

Enlarge   High School Musical knickers

The offending knickers: The High School Musical merchandise has caused offence

When she got home she was shocked to see the 'sexually suggestive' wording printed
on them.

Mrs Ralph, 57, a civil servant, said: 'I bought the packet of five multi-coloured knickers. Because they are in a packet, you can't see the writing "Dive In" on them.

'I was extremely shocked when I saw what was on them and I don't believe Disney or anyone else is so stupid not to realise the implications of the wording they chose.

'You let your children watch all these programmes, which are innocent and nice.

'But the merchandising that runs alongside them is the complete opposite. It's sexually suggestive, inappropriate and wholeheartedly wrong in some cases.

'And it is fiercely competitive among the children to look trendy and have the latest fashion.

'Parents are being put in an extremely difficult position and something must be done.

'It just seems like these companies do not answer to anyone and can print whatever they like.'

Disney's High School Musical has been one of the most popular films of the decade for children and young teenagers, and has spawned a multi-million pound merchandising range.

The NSPCC said: 'This is part of a worrying trend of inappropriate clothing marketed at young children.'

Mrs Ralph added: ''I think it is inappropriate because you just never know who could be out and about and see that and just think it was a bit too enticing for a young child to be wearing.

'I would like to see all the products removed from the shelves.'
Enlarge   High School Musical knickers

The knickers saying 'dive in' (far left) are being sold in packs of five at Asda

The National Union for Teachers is equally alarmed.

Spokesman Doug Macari, who has been a teacher for 17 years, said: 'Our union is very concerned about the increasing sexualisation of children.

'Companies are telling children what to wear and what to eat purely for financial gain - they want to make a profit from children.

'The NUT has even drawn up a charter, Growing Up In A Material World, which addresses this issue.

'We want retailers to take more responsibility for the items they sell and if they don't, for the Government to get involved in this issue.

'Schools are doing their best to clamp down on their behaviour policies. They are having to be much more rigid about uniform.'

He added: 'Certainly sexual harassment of children, by other children, and discussion of sexual behaviour - with girls in particular - is one way in which girls and boys can bully each other.

'This is a issue which I doubt the makers of the underwear have even considered.'

A Disney spokeswoman said: 'We are very sorry to hear that a customer is unhappy with one of our High School Musical products and apologise for any offence caused.

'The knickers in question were designed using our High School Musical 2 artwork, which uses the creative theme of a swimming pool, as this is a key part of the film's storyline.

'Unfortunately a genuine oversight was made and the text on this product was used outside the context of the swimming pool. This product will not be part of any forthcoming collections.'

Marks & Spencer also sell a High School Musical range, including a slogan-free underwear set.

Asda, who are selling the controversial High School Musical knickers for £4 for a pack of five, said it did not mean to cause offence.

A spokesman said: 'The design on the High School Musical underwear was approved by Disney and taken from their style guide.

High School Musical

High School Musical starring Zac Efron and Vanessa Anne Hudgens has been hugely popular with children but its merchandise, including underwear, have attracted criticism from parents

'The small slogan on this particular design is in reference to the famous scene at the end of the film where the characters dive into a swimming pool.

'There is very limited stock available of this particular line still remaining in Asda stores. 

'It was completely innocent and certainly not meant to cause any offence to customers, however we will now consider our next steps in relation to the small number of items remaining on sale.'

High School Musical was a film initially just made for the Disney channel in 2006 staring Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens.

With a plot described by its author and critics as a modern-day Romeo and Juliet, basketball captain Troy Bolton (Efron) and geeky Gabriella Montez (Hudgens) both audition for the lead parts in their high school musical.

As they are from rival cliques (athletes versus nerds), they split the school but, as in all good Disney films, true love and friendship wins out inspiring others not to 'stick with the status quo'.

In America it was watched by 7.7 million viewers, while its UK premiere received 789,000 viewers and the BBC showed it as part of their Christmas entertainment on 29 December 2006.

The film was so successful, two more sequels were made plus a stage show, a world-wide concert tour and lucrative merchandise range.

Its appeal with parents and children alike, is founded on its wholesome and innocent image.

[William]

"It just seems like these companies do not answer to anyone and can print whatever they like."

Imagine that! Being able to print whatever you like and not having to answer to anyone...

Why does that sound familiar?

[Raineyrocks]

"It just seems like these companies do not answer to anyone and can print whatever they like."

Imagine that! Being able to print whatever you like and not having to answer to anyone...

Why does that sound familiar?

I'm not sure if I missed your point on this or just don't understand what you mean, actually I guess that's the same thing.  The bottom line is if the parents don't like then don't buy it. 

[William]

"It just seems like these companies do not answer to anyone and can print whatever they like."

Imagine that! Being able to print whatever you like and not having to answer to anyone...

Why does that sound familiar?

I'm not sure if I missed your point on this or just don't understand what you mean, actually I guess that's the same thing.  The bottom line is if the parents don't like then don't buy it. 

The quote is from one of the complaining parents. My point is that we are supposed to be able to print whatever we want without permission. It has something to do with the freedom of the press or speech or some such thing.

[Raineyrocks]

"It just seems like these companies do not answer to anyone and can print whatever they like."

Imagine that! Being able to print whatever you like and not having to answer to anyone...

Why does that sound familiar?

I'm not sure if I missed your point on this or just don't understand what you mean, actually I guess that's the same thing.  The bottom line is if the parents don't like then don't buy it. 

The quote is from one of the complaining parents. My point is that we are supposed to be able to print whatever we want without permission. It has something to do with the freedom of the press or speech or some such thing.

Oh, okay thanks for unconfusing me!

[AnarcSyn]

freedom of speech does not oblige folks to listen... neither does it oblige folks to just stand there and shut up while some mutt sputters 'free speech' as he markets goods to make kids look like whores...  'the market' is not some invisable hand that bestows wealth upon the deserving, it is 'the people', and if 'the people' would rather not see or buy clothing designed for the express purpose of making their kids look like whores, then the people can not only choose not to buy, they may rightly choose to raise a stink and even lite a few matches and burn some ever so precious private property in their rage....

geee, i ought brand and market that idea w/ some spiffy t-shirts featuring a gang of torch carrying people  ..  oh cool

[Raineyrocks]

freedom of speech does not oblige folks to listen... neither does it oblige folks to just stand there and shut up while some mutt sputters 'free speech' as he markets goods to make kids look like whores...  'the market' is not some invisable hand that bestows wealth upon the deserving, it is 'the people', and if 'the people' would rather not see or buy clothing designed for the express purpose of making their kids look like whores, then the people can not only choose not to buy, they may rightly choose to raise a stink and even lite a few matches and burn some ever so precious private property in their rage....

geee, i ought brand and market that idea w/ some spiffy t-shirts featuring a gang of torch carrying people  ..  oh cool

Huh, what were you saying, I wasn't listening.

[Raineyrocks]

freedom of speech does not oblige folks to listen... neither does it oblige folks to just stand there and shut up while some mutt sputters 'free speech' as he markets goods to make kids look like whores...  'the market' is not some invisable hand that bestows wealth upon the deserving, it is 'the people', and if 'the people' would rather not see or buy clothing designed for the express purpose of making their kids look like whores, then the people can not only choose not to buy, they may rightly choose to raise a stink and even lite a few matches and burn some ever so precious private property in their rage....

geee, i ought brand and market that idea w/ some spiffy t-shirts featuring a gang of torch carrying people  ..  oh cool

Huh, what were you saying, I wasn't listening.

  Just Kidding!

[J’raxis 270145]

was written on it!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1044496/Outrage-High-School-Musical-knickers-young-girls-emblazoned-words-Dive-In.html

Outrage at High School Musical knickers for young girls emblazoned with the words 'Dive In'

Just another small chapter in the ongoing moral panic in the U.K. over children and sex. Nothing to see here...

[J’raxis 270145]

[T]hey may rightly choose to ... even lite a few matches and burn some ever so precious private property in their rage.

And in the U.K., they could probably get away with that—around here, such behavior would be met with high-velocity lead...

[AnarcSyn]

hehe  ...  okay, maybe not a good old fashioned burn out.. how about the 'dive in' mutt gettin a good ole granny pinch on the cheek?  just hard enough to leave behind a good memory, y'know

[J’raxis 270145]

hehe  ...  okay, maybe not a good old fashioned burn out.. how about the 'dive in' mutt gettin a good ole granny pinch on the cheek?  just hard enough to leave behind a good memory, y'know

I would simply boycott the seller (if I actually had a problem with this "dive in" nonsense—I don't). Ostracism. If enough people do so, it might cause him to cease selling the product that offends so many people; if not, then not—the free market at work.

Both arson and assault may be, and of right ought to be, met with self-defense.

[K. Darien Freeheart]

I would simply boycott the seller [...] Both arson and assault may be, and of right ought to be, met with self-defense.

This++

neither does it oblige folks to just stand there and shut up while some mutt sputters 'free speech' as he markets goods to make kids look like whores

Ah yes, moral outrage at other people's choices! I mean, Disney makes a pair of panties and every "tween" girl on the planet magically is forced to wear them, they have no say at ALL in what clothing they wear, right? The disturbing thing, as Rainey hits on in the title, is that a pair of panties with a swimming pool scene printed on them from the most watched cable TV event in history makes adults think "whores".

And, now that the rational people on planet earth have decided that violence to force people to chainge their behavior is unacceptable:

Disney said on Friday that it has stopped selling a line of panties for girls after parents in Britain complained about the message printed on them.

[AnarcSyn]

all your points are well taken and appreciated ... and its good to see how the final outcome unfolded..

still, it would of been grand to see a disney rep, or even the retailer get a good public embarrassment creating mother's slap..

next time a disney et al insists they can sell something b/c they can, next time they'll ask themselves if they should

[K. Darien Freeheart]

it would of been grand to see a disney rep, or even the retailer get a good public embarrassment creating mother's slap.

I disagree. I agree with you point that free speech doesn't mean there are no repercussions but nothing, even "Dive in" on a 12 year old's butt, warrants violence. Unless force is needed to defend against an actual physical threat to your life, liberty or property, you're in the wrong. Be as offended as you like at whatever you like, but you've lost all arguements and claims to legitimacy once you become violent. It simply isn't needed, as is shown over and over and over and over.

My only complaint, truthfully, is that there aren't more public responses like "Deal with it". Disney probably never will, but companies like Amazon.com that do that now and then gain points in my book.