Forever 21, a favorite among kids and tweens for its affordable and trendy apparel, is under scrutiny for a recent t-shirt that many are calling out for its troubling message. The white tee features the phrase, “Don’t Say Maybe If You Want To Say No,” which has sparked outrage for its victim-blaming implications. Can you imagine your teenager finding this shirt and thinking it’s acceptable? Who thought this was a good idea?
In response to the backlash, a representative from Forever 21 stated, “We strive to uphold the highest ethical standards and take customer feedback seriously. Upon receiving feedback regarding this T-shirt, we acted quickly to remove it from our website.”
This isn’t the first instance of controversial clothing making headlines. Last year, Target faced similar criticism for a shirt labeled “TROPHY,” which many believed perpetuated sexist ideas. A Milwaukee woman campaigned to have it pulled, arguing that it trivialized women as mere objects for men’s enjoyment. Target’s defense was that they hadn’t received many complaints, and despite the controversy, the shirt remains available online.
Conversations around rape and the culture surrounding it are more relevant than ever. Recent events, such as Lady Gaga’s emotional performance at the Academy Awards of her song “Til It Happens to You,” which addresses the realities of sexual assault on college campuses, highlight the need for sensitivity in messaging. According to The Cut, Forever 21 seemed to be attempting to capitalize on the outrage against rape culture, with writer Eve Peyser pointing out the brand’s misguided marketing approach.
It’s shocking that a shirt like this could pass through design and production without anyone raising a flag about its inappropriate message. Parents shouldn’t have to worry about their kids encountering this kind of apparel in stores that are everywhere. Forever 21 clearly understands its target audience, and the fact that this shirt made it onto their shelves is unacceptable.
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Summary
Forever 21 has recently faced criticism for a t-shirt deemed inappropriate due to its victim-blaming message. The company responded to public backlash by removing the shirt from their website, but the incident highlights larger issues surrounding messaging and consumer responsibility in retail.