A&F, child porn and parents’ responsibilities

By: American Decency Staff

–From the Archives – Exact Date Unknown —

I hate to be the type of person that goes around and sounds like an arrogant snob but, “I TOLD YOU SO!” How? Well, remember that wonderful Supreme Court ruling from just a few weeks ago? Well, I TOLD YOU SO! Remember how, in one of the big key elements in arguing the case, Justice Kennedy wrote about the way it would impact the way we do art? He was talking primarily about movies. BUT I STILL TOLD YOU SO! Now that I’ve got that out of my system a bit…Hey, have you been to the mall recently? I’m not much of a mall rat myself, can’t find the time and besides, who could possibly find that fun? Anyway, some friends of mine recently dropped their 10 and 12 year old sons off at the mall. (Bad mistake from the get go, but they did, nonetheless!) The boys had a couple of hours to kill. You know, blow $20 bucks at the arcade, buy a new pair of overpriced gym shoes and, yes, come home with an X-rated catalogue sold to them by Abercrombie and Fitch. When discovered by said parents later in the day, the boys end up in big trouble.  And for good reason. They are church going kids, they know the difference between right and wrong. I, of course, find a great degree of fault in the scenario with the parenting as well. And they probably learned something in this case. But, God Bless America, thanks to the efforts of the justices who voted to legalize certain types of child porn, the sons of my friends–at the young age of 10 years old–are able to get their hands on smut, obscenity and a magazine whose previous issue described, in detail, how teens headed to south Florida for spring break could score sexually with senior citizens who live there. Like I said, God Bless America. Why does A&F continue to pull this act? Because parents like you don’t know what’s going on. If you did, most likely, you would join the boycott at www.stopaandf.com and help bring them to their financial knees. What turns my stomach is how I see kids wearing A&F gear even at church. Abercrombie & Fitch sees no big dilemma in marketing, lesbianism, bestiality and that whole sex with seniors thing to kids who are 8, 9 and 10 years old. By the way, they claim that they don’t. But how did my friends’ boys end up getting caught with the book? And it’s not just the pictures, in-depth interviews with transgendered sexpots, porn stars…you know, all the types you would just love to leave alone with your kids–for them to fill their minds with the types of things that they fill their minds with. Hmmm, how delightful. Yesterday, someone asked me, “But, if you bring it up, aren’t you just selling more of their catalogues for them?” You know, I think that’s a tremendous question. So, I turn that to you, those who read these words. Will those who would love to longingly stare at child porn do more in reaction to reading this today, than those who are disgusted by such? Will you sit on your backside and say “Oh those crazy kids!”? Hey, I’m talking to you. What will you do about this? I was told yesterday about a grandmother who had bought presents for 37 grand-kids–all of them from A&F. When she heard of the “marketing” methods employed by the company, she went back and returned all the presents for all 37 kids. Do you have the spine to do that? The answer to my question will help determine whether or not good or evil will win the day on this issue–what will you do? The next time your kid comes home from school saying, “Mom, everybody’s wearing it. Why can’t I?” What will you talk to your child about? Hey, your kids are worth it. Take the time to sit down, talk to them about the moral issues governing this and encourage them to make the decidedly tougher decision–to be a strong person. What do you have to lose? Oh, and if you think that this is an issue for “other people’s kids,” just this last little tidbit: A&F is soliciting your child’s photograph. And, I guarantee you, the more nude they are, the better the chances–to be the next A&F model. Yep, right there–online! Does your kid have access to a digital camera? Could they shoot off a photo and e-mail it with the online application and you not know about it? So, Abercrombie & Fitch–backed by our nation’s highest court–is now in a position to solicit your child’s likeness, thus making my other question a truly important one. How would you feel if someday you did open one of these quarterlies and saw your daughter there–in a topless lesbian embrace or preparing to be pleased by an animal? I know it’s a disgusting thought. But I’m still trying to get you off your keister to join the boycott: www.stopa&f.com! And, oh yeah, God Bless America! * * * * Kevin McCullough is Host/Executive Producer on AM 1160 WYLL — Chicago. Kevin McCullough & Deborah Rowe are on weekdays from 3 – 5 PM and his weekly column is posted on the RFM NEWS website. Mr. McCullough can be reached via e-mail at: kmc@wyll.com” Copyright 2002 RFMNEWS.COM Permission to reprint granted with acknowledgment

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