Victoria’s Secret Targeting Teen Girls – Pastor Takes Stand Against Sexualization Of Children

A new line of lingerie from Victoria’s Secret targeted at teenage girls has drawn protests and outrage in the Christian community. Called “Bright, Young Things” (a part of its ‘Pink’ store for younger women) the campaign sells racy underwear for young girls with phrases like “Call me” and “Feeling lucky?” emblazoned on the front. This marketing move, which furthers society’s continuing trend of sexualizing children, has met much resistance, led by a Christian Pastor who took the lingerie company on with a letter to its headquarters.

Reverend Evan Dolive of Bethany Christian Church in Houston, Texas, wrote a letter to Victoria’s Secret executives expressing his disapproval of the sexualization of teenage girls through lingerie campaigns like Bright Young Things:

I am a father of a three year old girl. She loves princesses, Dora the Explorer, Doc McStuffins and drawing pictures for people. Her favorite foods are peanut butter and jelly, cheese and pistachios.

Even though she is only three, as a parent I have had those thoughts of my daughter growing up and not being the little girl she is now. It is true what they say about kids, they grow up fast. No matter how hard I try I know that she will not be the little ball of energy she is now; one day she will be a rebellious teenager that will more than likely think her dad is a total goof ball and would want to distance herself from my embarrassing presence.
I know that this is far down the line and I try to spend as much time as I can with her making memories of this special time…
Recently I read an article that Victoria’s Secret is launching a line of underwear and bras aimed at middle school aged children. The line will be called “Bright Young Things” and will feature ” lace black cheeksters with the word “Wild” emblazoned on them, green and white polka-dot hipsters screen printed with “Feeling Lucky?” and a lace trim thong with the words, “Call me” on the front.”
As a dad, this makes me sick.
I believe that this sends the wrong message to not only my daughter but to all young girls.
I don’t want my daughter to ever think that her self-worth and acceptance by others is based on the choice of her undergarments. I don’t want my daughter to ever think that to be popular or even attractive she has to have emblazon words on her bottom.

I want my daughter (and every girl) to be faced with tough decisions in her formative years of adolescence. Decisions like should I be a doctor or a lawyer? Should I take calculus as a junior or a senior? Do I want to go to Texas A&M or University of Texas or some Ivy League School? Should I raise awareness for slave trafficking or lack of water in developing nations? There are many, many more questions that all young women should be asking themselves… not will a boy (or girl) like me if I wear a “call me” thong?

I want my daughter to know that she is perfect the way she is; I want my daughter to know that no matter what underwear she is wearing it does not define her.

I believe that this new line “Bright Young Things” thwarts the efforts of empowering young women in this country. “Bright Young Things” gives off the message that women are sex objects. This new line promotes it at a dangerously young age.

I implore you to reconsider your decision to start this line.

By doing so you will put young girl’s self-esteem, self-worth and pride above profits. (source).

The letter ended up going viral and receiving over 3.5 million hits. Additionally, online petitions were started boycotting Victoria’s Secret over this campaign. Victoria’s Secret initially responded by saying that the lingerie line was not aimed at teenagers, but rather at college-aged women. However, a January 2013 article in Businessweek entitled “Forget Training Bras. Girls Are Buying Lingerie” proved that this was not true. In an interview with the financial journal, Stuart Burgdoefer, the Chief Financial Officer of the Victoria’s Secret Corporation made it clear that the line was indeed aimed at teens:

“When somebody’s 15 or 16 years old, what do they want to be? They want to be older, and they want to be cool like the girl in college, and that’s part of the magic of what we do at PINK,” said Burgdoerfer. (source).

Further evidence of Vicrtoria’s Secret’s efforts to bring in the pre-teen and teenage market was their use of teen pop idol Justin Bieber for their annual televised fashion show, which draws millions of viewers. As one media marketing site noted, Bieber performed while models wore outfits from the “Pink” line which is made for teens. Additionally, Victoria’s Secret is expanding its Pink line globally. As the article concluded:

Victoria’s Secret spends an estimated $12 million on its annual fashion show. With that kind of investment, you can bet that Victoria’s Secret is going to be maximizing returns by marketing to the exact person it wants to get in its stores.  During the fashion show yesterday, it was incredibly clear who Victoria’s Secret is trying to market to: Teenagers. (source).

Many Companies Now Offering “Teen Lingerie”

The trend to bring racy underwear to the teen and “tween” market is not limited to just Victoria’s Secret. As Businessweek reported:

Limited Brands’ (LTD) Victoria’s Secret and others are cashing in on the growing demand among middle and high school girls for intimate apparel. Hot Topic (HOTT) is testing an edgy line called Blackheart, and Urban Outfitters (URBN), which has said intimates could eventually make up 10 percent of sales, has increased such offerings across its brands. Even Justice, the store for 7- to 12-year-olds owned by Ascena Retail Group’s (ASNA) Tween Brands unit, is selling $21.90 tie-dye bras and $9 flowered panties online. (source).

Hot Topic, a girl’s clothing store that specifically targets teenagers with “Goth chic” clothing is also cashing in on the trend. Their store locations were used to host autograph signing sessions for the Vampire movie series “Twilight” a blockbuster hit that is adored by pre-teens and teenagers all over the world. Despite its young demographic, the store unveiled it’s “Blackheart” lingerie line in 2012. Here is an for it:

God’s Warning – Do Not Bring Children Into Sin

“And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!” – Matthew 18:5-7.

Jesus Christ spoke passionately and forcefully about the punishments that will be inflicted on those who would bring little children into sinful behavior. 1 Thessalonians 4 says: “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour..” Sexual activity outside of marriage is a clear sin. Jesus Christ said to look upon a person who is not one’s spouse with lust is adultery. So certainly, children should be shielded from the many temptations that come from sexual desire.

But society at large has ignored these warnings, instead pushing the moral boundaries farther to bombard children with sexual imagery and temptation. Pop Culture and Hollywood have of course promoted this by marketing stars to young boys and girls who wear little to nothing in their videos, constantly gyrate and promote their sexuality and engage in simulated sexual acts on screen, with lyrics that are just as perverted. Nikki Minaj, known as “Barbie” who has a major appeal to elementary school age girls, has some of the most X-rated lyrics one will find in pop music. Lady Gaga and Rihanna are two other examples of pop stars who children adore who happen to promote sexual promiscuity, sadomasochism and homosexual exploration. And not only are children being exposed to this entertainment, their parents are rushing to video tape them dancing and singing along to the lyrics.

By the time these children reach the age of 10 and 11 clothing companies step into capitalize on the sexualization of their young minds. This is all a satanic deception. God’s plan for children as they grow is to abstain from sexual activity until marriage. Sexual lust is one of the strongest sinful temptations a person faces. And for children who lack the knowledge and discernment of adults, it is even more difficult to handle. And instead of companies and public officials seeking to guard the innocence of children, they are encouraging the end of it.

X-Rated “Sex-Ed”

But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. – Ephesians 5:3-4.

Beginning and End has done extensive coverage of abortion provider Planned Parenthood’s immoral activity. From its racist origins to covering up statutory rape and even promoting gender-based abortions, this organization is also heavily involved in the the modern form of “sex ed.” Planned Parenthood’s comprehensive sexual education programs for elementary and junior high school aged children include encouragement into sexual exploration, homosexuality and relying on personal and school knowledge on intimacy over the family. A quick look at their “Info For Teens” page reveals instructions for teens on numerous acts including detailed instructions on homosexual intimacy. Additionally, they provide a series of racy videos, graphic drawings of genitalia and instructions on how to take abortifacients like the “morning after pill.”

In many cases, parents are unaware of the explicit “education” being given to their children in schools:

• Parents in Washington state were outraged when their children came home with stories of the principal in an Onalaska Elementary school giving 5th graders graphic descriptions of oral and anal sex as part of their health class. Some of the children were reported to be so traumatized by the graphic display that they refused to return to shcool. The curriculum that the school used is one of several recommended by Planned Parenthood on its website. The organization’s influence in guiding sexual education at public schools across the country is very strong. According to reports:

The state of Washington OSPI (Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction)—the agency that approves sex education programs for use in schools—recommends the Rutger’s-based Answer in its flyer as the resource for teacher training and staff development for state mandated HIV and state approved sexual health education. Answer is also recommended on the Virginia League for Planned Parenthood website, which goes on to say, “Teachers can earn professional credits from the ETR Associates Resource Center for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (ReCAPP).” (ETR Associates began its corporate life as the Education Department of the Santa Cruz Chapter of Planned Parenthood.)

Answer promotes a Teen-to-Teen Sexuality Education Initiative called Sex, Etc. It offers the usual Planned Parenthood fare, including links to Planned Parenthood websites, advice on how to skirt parents, immoral sexual advice, abortion rights information, gay rights information, and instructions on how to have gay sex. Its website features a video claiming that when it comes to sex, “parents obviously don’t have the answers, and teenagers still need them. That’s where honest sex ed comes in.” (source).

• In New York City, similar outrage was expressed by parents over a new curriculum implemented for “health education” that teaches graphic acts to children as young as 11 years old.  High school students are given lessons on how to use condoms and sent out to stores to do “price checking.”

• In Iowa, parents were stunned when a health class using a Planned Parenthood curriculum, taught their children using a faux phallus and anatomically correct dolls to learn “proper health education.” Parents described the class as a “sexual demonstration”:

“Too many parents are unaware that programs like the one in Iowa are becoming the norm in our schools, and that Planned Parenthood is a big part of this change,” continued Mr. Mc Groarty. “It’s shocking to consider the millions of dollars in taxpayer funding that go to helping a group that promotes sex ed programs so harmful to the innocence of children.”

“Of course, Planned Parenthood is not the only culprit here,” continued Eric Goranson, Director of the Iowa chapter of Preserve Innocence. “This is also a question of school boards, teachers, and administrators not informing and working with parents about the content of their classes. The school board in Shenandoah failed to obey the state’s rules on notifying parents and allowing them to opt-out of the program. But simply informing parents ahead of time that their children will be getting ‘sex ed’ is not enough. The whole truth needs be told about the content of these programs and their potential to undermine the family’s values and beliefs.” (source).

• In Chicago, all public schools are now required to begin sexual educations for students starting in kindergarten. In its announcement, the Public School board said the curriculum: “will focus on the family, feelings, and appropriate and inappropriate touching, while students in fourth grade will learn about puberty, including the physical, social, and emotional changes that accompany it, and the causes and transmission of HIV infection.” In other words, children will be taught every intimate act that can lead to the transmission of a disease by age 9.

The Obama administration, a major supporter of Planned Parenthood, agreed to fund the organization with tax payer dollars for this kind of education for children. According to the Washington Times:

This is not your grandmother’s sex education about how things work and what can go “wrong.” In fact, the exact opposite is the essence of the Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP):  Obamacare funnels $75 million annually into PREP, which must be used exclusively for Planned Parenthood-style “comprehensive” sex ed programs where no type of sex is wrong and the only sexual behavior PP considers “unsafe” is becoming pregnant.

More than one-fourth of the funds ‒ $20 million ‒ has been awarded to a coalition of six Planned Parenthood affiliates, operating under the name Northwest Coalition for Adolescent Health, to implement HHS’s TOP program across Montana, Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and Alaska at over 50 sites. In Oregon schools, Planned Parenthood is paying children cash incentives to participate.

PP is funded with our tax dollars to market sex to our children in our schools under the guise of sex education, anti-bullying, diversity, and tolerance. Once sexualized, those children then become PP sex customers for contraceptives, STD testing, and abortion.

“A glance at the teacher outline for Lesson 1A, the introductory lesson (page 12 of the linked PowerPoint presentation), shows exactly how abstinence plays out in the sex-encouraging scheme at Planned Parenthood. ‘Abstinence,’ it says, ‘means choosing not to do any sexual activity that carries a risk for pregnancy or STD/HIV,’” says Rita Diller, national director for STOPP.org.  “In other words, abstinence has nothing do with abstaining from sex acts. So long as the student avoids STDs and pregnancy, and is comfortable with what he or she is doing, it’s an anything goes.” (source).

The article went on to quote a teacher involved in the program who stated the sex “saturation process” should start in kindergarten. These course are encouraging sexual thoughts and explorations in the minds of children.  A video called “Hooking Kids on Sex” highlighted the graphic, disturbing nature of Planned Parenthood sponsored and endorsed comprehensive sexual education programs (B&E: the video was too graphic to post in this article and is not recommended for children).  With TV, music and pop culture  bombarding children with constant sexual temptation, “educational classes” that are filled with graphic imagery and demonstrations and access to countless pornographic websites through their smart phones and tablets, is it any wonder that girls as young as 11 and 12 years old would be interested in lingerie? This is the reality for children today.

Protect The Innocence of Children

 ”And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.  And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” – Deuteronomy 6:5-7.

The challenges parents face in protecting children from the negative influences have never been tougher. Satan wants nothing more than to destroy the family structure, usurp parental authority and corrupt children. This has been his agenda since the first children born, Cain and Abel, ended up with Cain killing his younger brother and being banished from his parents for the rest of his life. Protecting the innocence of children starts with teaching them the Bible and explaining the Gospel to them. Bringing God into their lives at an early age and raising them in a faithful, God-fearing household is what The Lord commands. Proverbs 22:15 says: “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.” The “rod of correction” starts with teaching children the problem of sin, the wrath of God and the forgiveness and eternal life that comes through faith in Jesus Christ. And clearly, knowing what they are being taught in school, the explicit content they are watching on their handheld devices and who they are interacting with is also a key to controlling the numerous temptations to sin.

Parents are the main educators of their children. It should be a father and mother’s decision as to when and how they want to speak with their children regarding intimacy, not public school teachers in kindergarten. And the fist step to preparing them for this world and guarding their minds is to share the Gospel with them and train them in the knowledge of the Bible. In this age of watered-down Christianity running rampant through churches (and some pastors even using the pulpit to teach about “sexual education”), many parents have not obeyed God’s commands on teaching their children the Bible from a young age on a daily basis. And this lax attitude towards a child’s spiritual growth will lead to just “giving up” on a child’s innocence and assume they “are doing it like all the other kids.” But this is relying on worldly knowledge over Godly wisdom. And that attitude is sin because it is defying God whose Word commands parents to teach children The Lord’s way, not the world’s.  And you are putting their souls at risk because if children do not see any concern for God from their parents in such an important area of life, why will they be concerned about God’s Word in other areas?  Satan does not just want children to fornicate. He wants them to go to hell. Do not be deceived.

Reading the Bible, setting a Godly example with your own behavior and praying with your children is  what The Lord has ordained as the methods for successful parenting. All children will reach a point when they have to go out in the world on their own and face temptation. But without salvation and the Holy Spirit they are left to their own imaginations and ideas on how to approach sinful rebellion. And the world is doing everything in its power to pull them into the world of sexual sin. Having a born again Spirit of God, will not guarantee a perfect child, but will give them a true Biblical perspective on fornication, protecting their sexual purity and let them understand that they are accountable to God for their sinful thoughts, words and actions. And in their desire to follow Jesus Christ, they will have the strength and conviction of the Holy Spirit to repent should they stumble. The Apostle Paul, writing to his disciple Timothy, remarked over the strong Christian family he was raised in:

“But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:14-15).

Drawing close to God, brings God closer to you and parents need to put faith and trust in God that following His way in raising children will make their kids wise to believe the Gospel and have faith in Jesus Christ for any challenge or temptation they will face.

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. – Proverbs 22:6.