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The Grinches Who Steal Innocence…

I am really pleased the media has supported us in our outrage over the numerous examples of inappropriate products and services being marketed to little girls in the lead up to Christmas.

An interview with me over the inappropriate promotion of brazilian waxing on children’s web site girl.com.au featured recently in the Adelaide Herald Sun:

Herald Sun : Children’s Site Promotes Brazilian Waxing

Melinda Tankard Resit from WFA and I also collaborated on an opinion piece that was published on page 11 of the Sydney Morning Herald on 4/1/08

SMH: The Grinches Who Steal Innocence

Prue Mc Sween on 2UE interviewed me too and showed genuine interest in the agenda. Could it be that society has finally reached tipping point? Worth a listen…you may access below or via my Vodpod.  

Prue Mc Sween and Dannielle Miller – 2UE 4/1/08 

Published inPower of Words

8 Comments

  1. Lisa Porter

    YES!!! I’m glad people are taking note – I really hope this will actually prompt the website to finally remove the page. Sadly, though, there seemed to be automated “ads from Google” at the foot of the article on… guess what? Brazillian waxing!

    Happy New Year, all – I hope 2008 is a happy, healthy, fulfilling year for you 🙂

  2. Jane Higgins

    I too have been appalled when scouring the isles for gifts for girls. How do these companies sleep at night knowing that the messages they are offering girls is affecting their self esteem, body image and sense of identity? Why would anyone want to give girls such destructive messages about themselves?

    I too have contacted http://www.girl.com.au about their brazilin waxing and have been disgusted that a) they have not even replied to my comments and b) as of 2 days ago it was still on their website!! However, on checking again today, it appears to of been removed from their site. Just goes to prove….. women and passionate voices = change!! So lets keep speaking our truth, advocating for girls and nurturing to have a deep sense of their own selves.

    Congrats Danni and Melinda on the article in the SMH – lets hope it promotes discussion and action.

  3. Lisa Porter

    Great article, Danni and Melinda!

    I’m sorry to say that the article on waxing is still on girl.com.au, they have just (badly) edited the bit about men loving it:

    “So we does it appeal. Nobody really likes hair in their private regions and this removes it.”

    I’m sending another email.

  4. Jane Higgins

    OOOOOOh I am so angry. Thanks Lisa for correcting me. They moved it from their front page but they obviously still think it is ok to advocate. Hiding it does not make it ok!! I am with you Lisa – I’m sending another email too!!
    Jane

  5. Sonia Lyne

    Danni I have just listened to your radio interview with Prue Mac Sween and your point about parents needing to be more vigiliant and pro-active resonated highly with me.

    On my recent holiday I spoke with a number of family members and friends who had bought Bratz dolls for their little girls. Each member saw them as just harmless fun. As you can imagine, I thought to myself … “My own family and friends… WOW I need to do some work here.” The conversations I had with my family were all similiar; yes, they agreed the dolls did seem a little provocative but they also believed that they were not a problem. The general feeling was that their girls just ignore the dolls’ clothing and set about to recreate a new character that reflects their own imagination and adventures.

    While this may be perfectly valid, why oh why do so many parents just accept these hyper sexualised dolls in the first place? Why buy a doll you think is provocative and just hope your child will reinvent it? I believe it is because so many adults are becoming more complacent about our highly sexualised society and it is not until problems occur in their own back yard that they will feel compelled to take action. We don’t want to be a generation of YES parents who do not set boundaries and let our children play with, and do, whatever they desire. Surely this will make it all the harder to set boundaries when our girls grow up and become rebellious teens. Hard to tell your 13 year old not to wear a micro mini and thigh high boots when you have bought the very same outfit for her doll when she was just 6…

    Let us all be vigilent and have the courage to set boundaries for the little ones in our lives … as we know children thrive when they know their limitations.

  6. Francesca Kaoutal

    Just listened to your interview again with Prue. I just wanted to say to everyone that it is really worth listening to. It doesn’t just focus on the disturbing little dolls girls are playing with – I for one have seen these and am also outraged by them. You made some really interesting and helpful comments that adressed what we can do to empower our girls. Love the idea of engaging girls in sport. Any of you Sydney girls out there looking for a little sports fix, head out to homebush tennis centre with your bestie’s this week and watch the best in the world (guys and girls) belt it out on the court! A fun day out with the girls! By the way, a cheeky tip for future reference- if you go to these tournaments a couple of days before the actual competition starts (qualifying days) you can get in and spend the day there with as many of your friends to watch the best tennis players go head to head for for FREE!

  7. Donelle

    Just listened to Danni’s radio interview with Prue Mac Sween. I completely agree that it is up to the individual to be vigilant about such products. As these toys and clothing are aimed at children, it is often the adults in their lives who are doing the purchasing.

    As you said, marketers will only keep promoting these products while ever they are selling. So as the parent, grandparent, Aunt, Uncle or family friend, it’s up to us to make conscious decisions when buying for the little girls and boys in our lives.

    It’s also a great opportunity for the entrepreneurs out there to come up with some alternative products.

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