posted
Wasn't sure if this was NFBSK or Inboxer Rebellion. I'm pretty out of the loop as far as fashion goes and I have no teens in my home, so I'm horribly unfamiliar with A&F other than knowing that they're pretty popular with the hip young people out there.
Forty-five specific portrayals of sexual imagery in the first 120 pages, advice to the readers ... this is how the new Abercrombie & Fitch Quarterly titled "The Christmas Field Guide" begins its new quarterly magazine that is targeted to your 10- to 13-year-olds. The 45 images include overt portrayals of group sex, lots of teen and young adult nudity, men kissing, and teens /young adults frolicking in a river engaging in sexual activity in multiple group settings.
Did I mention that the actual clothing doesn't begin being advertised until page 120?
Abercrombie & Fitch are not new to this game and they are taking a huge bet this Christmas season. The wager is ... you won't care enough to do anything about it.
For the last four years a handful of concerned parents and citizens have been waging a miniature war on the popular teen clothier. Each year, the clothier has made hollow gestures at trying to "reform its act." But these attempts are not only insincere, they are laughable. Laughable but they are not funny.
Each year, thousands of children across America beg their parents to get them the latest t-shirt, jeans, jacket or underwear from "A&F." (Yes they even market a line of thongs for 8- to 10-year-old girls made to stick up out of the "low cut" jeans they also sell.) Many of these parents, completely unaware of how "A&F" goes about marketing, plunk down thousands of dollars around the holidays ... and Abercrombie & Fitch continues to profit.
This year will be different. Thousands of consumers are being put on alert as to the marketing methods of the clothier, web-log writers are going to be commenting on it, church and para-church groups are organizing protests, and this year we will even advise investors via direct links to popular business Internet sites like CBS Marketwatch as to the marketing methods the company is willing to use.
After all, they do say, "We don't just sell clothes, we promote a lifestyle!" And what kind of "lifestyle"?
Well, in this year's issue in the "sexpertise" column on page 279, a lady presumably qualified to be referred to as a "sexpert" states that kids going to college this year, "shouldn't be looking for someone to marry." Nope, when it comes to sex, kids should be "focused on getting experience." The "sexpert" is also asked about and gives advice concerning the issue of doing "sex for three." She also advises readers to be willing to "go down" on a date at the movies, "just so long as you do not disturb those around you." And, of course, what kind of column would a "sexpertise" column be if it did not address the issue of self-stimulation.
There is also a comparison column for the hormonally driven young men in the "A&F" readership comparing the "fruits" of biting into "fresh apple right off the tree" vs. the "store-bought variety that sit on the shelf wrinkled and bruised from the handling." This column is not comparing fruit at all but the benefits of teenage men sleeping with perky school girls vs. "sexy" older women, even married ones.
So the plan of action?
This year's is multi-fold:
1. Read this column and forward it to everyone you know.
2. Dial the National Coalition for the Protection of Children and Families (toll free) 888-877-7723.
3. Add your voice to the growing list of parents, teens and citizens who wish to see sexually transmitted disease rates reduced, and less teen pregnancy by signing the letter of protest at Stop A&F.
4. And by all means spend no money with Abercrombie & Fitch this year. (American Eagle, H&M and a variety of other clothiers provide clothing that is equally fashionable to the style of Abercrombie & Fitch but without the unnecessary nudity and sexualization of Americans aged 10 to 18.)
In a day in which more parents than ever are concerned about the likelihood of their daughter getting pregnant, their child being sexually active long before they are mature enough to handle the consequences or the rampant spread of sexually transmitted diseases in the "younger than 20" demographic today it's time to stop Abercrombie & Fitch.
Abercrombie & Fitch is wagering you won't care about what they do, so they've rolled the dice. For me, my money is on the decency of you and the hope you have for the future of your kids.
So ... I'll take that bet!
Editor's note: America's toxic youth culture is the focus of the upcoming December issue of WND's acclaimed monthly Whistleblower magazine, an astonishing insider look at "The Marketing of Evil." Ever wonder why extreme body piercing and tattooing, gangland clothing, boundless sexual experimentation and other harmful behaviors -- at progressively younger and younger ages have taken such a powerful hold on today's young people? This issue has the answers you've never read anywhere else.
Kevin McCullough is heard 2 to 5 p.m. EST on 570 WMCA and 970 DJ in New York City. Additionally, you can read his daily postings at The KMC Blog. Kevin is a past recipient of the Marconi and Tesla broadcasting awards, an internationally syndicated columnist, and the author of the upcoming book, "Men That Every Man Should Be!"
-------------------- I mostly dine on the idea of health that is absorbed into my body through the consciousness of the universe. Or Fat Burger if I'm in a hurry. ~The Ninja
quote:Originally posted by Mooommmeee Knows Best: Forty-five specific portrayals of sexual imagery in the first 120 pages, advice to the readers ... this is how the new Abercrombie & Fitch Quarterly titled "The Christmas Field Guide" begins its new quarterly magazine that is targeted to your 10- to 13-year-olds. The 45 images include overt portrayals of group sex, lots of teen and young adult nudity, men kissing, and teens /young adults frolicking in a river engaging in sexual activity in multiple group settings.
Well, I can't see any of that in the few pages you can preview online. It also doesn't seem to be "targeted to your 10- to 13-year olds."
posted
I don't think they're even targeting 20-somethings, BeachLife. I would peg their "target" as high school suburban kids. While they pretend to be "college-preppy" in style, and certainly base their storylines (can you even call them that?) on college students, nobody I know in college wears A&F without being appologetic about it.
I recently complimented a friend on a sweater she was wearing. She almost appologized and told me, "Ummm.. yeah... Abercrombie... got it as a gift... ran out of sweaters... need to do laundry". I think that summarises the attitude. Abercrombie is a relic of high school to be trudged up as a novelty (dude, I've had this scarf since 9th grade!) or when you run out of sweaters.
Many of my friends have the A&F catalogue proudly displayed on their coffee tables, and it makes nice and amusing (we got the biggest kicks out of the last issue) coffee table reading, but I don't know anyone who actually uses it as a catalogue.
Side question - anyone know how old you have to be to buy the catalogue? I know they have an age limit, but I'm not sure what it is. Is it a legal issue, or more of a "wow, I'm reading contraband" issue?
Di "no stripper in my dorm room" ana
Posts: 2351 | From: Germany | Registered: Aug 2000
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Crowley
The Red and the Green Stamps
posted
quote:Originally posted by Mooommmeee Knows Best: There is also a comparison column for the hormonally driven young men in the "A&F" readership comparing the "fruits" of biting into "fresh apple right off the tree" vs. the "store-bought variety that sit on the shelf wrinkled and bruised from the handling." This column is not comparing fruit at all...
But I've always turned to A&F as the authoritative source for fruit comparison. You mean I was wrong?
quote: Editor's note: America's toxic youth culture is the focus of the upcoming December issue of WND's acclaimed monthly Whistleblower magazine, an astonishing insider look at "The Marketing of Evil."
Which is how they make you pay for the brand name, instead of doing the sensible thing and buying generic evil.
quote: Ever wonder why extreme body piercing and tattooing, gangland clothing, boundless sexual experimentation and other harmful behaviors -- at progressively younger and younger ages have taken such a powerful hold on today's young people?
No, I haven't. Fun? Profit?
quote: This issue has the answers you've never read anywhere else.
I bet.
quote: Kevin is a past recipient of the Marconi and Tesla broadcasting awards, an internationally syndicated columnist, and the author of the upcoming book, "Men That Every Man Should Be!"
That title just makes my head hurt. I didn't know there was a Tesla award in radio though. That's cool.
Don't get me wrong, I really don't like A&F, but that's because I think "The Marketing of Conformity" would have been a better article title.
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Rollerwings
The Red and the Green Stamps
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If any of you bought a catalog out of curiosity, you can sell it on eBay to get Christmas money! One's going for $107 as of the time of this posting.
I was junk-mailed a catalog a few years back and later heard the page with drink recipes was pulled from later mailings because people complained that it encouraged underage drinking. Maybe I should sell that catalog?
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DizzyLizard
The Red and the Green Stamps
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While it's not nearly as bad as the e-mail describes, you can get an idea of what they're referring to, by looking at the photos on their website. Another example would be the Models In Motion video that's also available on their site. I'm not exactly sure how they expect to sell clothes, when their models aren't wearing any.
Dizzy "I don't shop there, anyway" Lizard
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DizzyLizard
The Red and the Green Stamps
posted
Did a little snooping out on eBay, and it does appear as if it really may be as bad as the e-mail claims. Some examples of it's contents here, here, and here.
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