They’re the t-shirts that have got everyone talking, for all the wrong reasons. Clothing company Cotton On has released a line of babies shirts with all kinds of questionable statements.
Mia Freedman joined the show to discuss this latest controversy. She has been outraged by Cotton On and its new line of t-shirts for babies and toddlers. These NEW t-shirts include the slogans;
THEY SHAKE ME
LIL’ SH*T FACTORY
I LIKE TO GET HIGH
F**K THE MILK, WHERE”S THE WHISKEY
Some of the questions that Mia has put forward reflect what bloggers have been writing on her website. They include questions like, “What are people thinking trying to turn children into the sickest kind of human billboards to advertise grossly insensitive slogans? What's next Cotton On, kids t-shirts that say "My Parents Sexually Abuse Me"? Or what about "My Parents Bash Me"?
Mia’s website has received nearly 400 comments about the bad baby slogan shirts and she has written a blog on her website www.mamamia.com.au about an issue of a mother in Kotara contacted after seeing the “They shake me” t-shirt. On this she points out how baby shaking is actually child abuse and can lead to serious brain damage and death.
This is not the first time Cotton On has come under fire. A few weeks ago the store had released several slogan t-shirts for babies, that also seemed controversial. They included:
I’M A T*TS MAN
I’M LIVING PROOF MY MUM IS EASY
I LIKE BIG BOOBS AND I CANNOT LIE
MMM…BOOBS
Cotton On has recently stated they will remove all offensive merchandise. The company also released the following statement following backlash from angry customers and parents alike around the nation:
In recent light of the controversy surrounding selected items from the Cotton On Kids slogan range, the Cotton On Group would like to announce the following:
Cotton On Kids were unaware until recently that the slogans were being viewed as offensive and that they could progressively cause this extent of angst amongst consumers and social groups alike.
Although these products are intentionally edgy and irreverent, and the succession of this range was driven by demand, the recent attention implies that the slogans in question have crossed the line.
The Cotton On Group is an organisation that respects family, social and moral values and as a result would like to announce that the issue has been taken seriously and in agreeance, willingly extends an apology to those who have been affected by the slogans.
The Cotton On Group will also take the following actions in its Cotton On Kids brand to rectify the situation;
Stop production and withdraw the current items carrying the offensive slogans
Review the ongoing slogans range to ensure no reference is made to categories pertaining to sexually explicit behaviour, child abuse, drugs and profanity
Although Cotton On Kids will continue to service a market that demands confident and edgy clothing that pushes boundaries, it has been recognised that certain references are not appropriate, and will sincerely endeavour to not cross these lines again.
