It is starting to become increasingly apparent to me that companies are marketing to kids (as if I didn’t know before now). Did you know that they are selling hoodies to kids that have a special pocket to carry their iPod, iPhone, or MP3 player? Did you also know that there is a special cord that plugs in to the iPod or MP3 player – runs through the inside of the garment to the “string” around the neck of the hoodie – and features earbuds that are built in to the ends of the string? With this special sweatshirt, students can listen to their favorite music without being detected by friends, family members, and – wait for it – school officials!
I don’t know why I am so upset about the hoodies. It is not the first time that shrewd businessmen have marketed products to help students circumvent school rules…and it won’t be the last. Maybe I am still mad about the “I Love Boobies” bracelets that are being marketed to “raise awareness” about breast cancer. Like no one knows about this dreaded disease that affects nearly 200,000 women every year. I tell students that if they REALLY cared about the plight of breast cancer victims, they would volunteer at their local hospital, or donate a month’s allowance…maybe even raise pledges and walk in the next “Relay For Life” event in their town. What’s sad is that most students would never do these things. They would rather wear a rubber bracelet that says “I love boobies”. Very sad.
Of course, it doesn’t stop with “I Love Boobies” either. More companies are making rubber bracelets, many of them with similarly quirky and inappropriate sayings on them. A few are too nasty for me to list in this article, but “Love Your Boobies” has surfaced as the next logical step down the path of inappropriateness.
If you want to see some nasty bracelets…click on this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MYXN7DfnNo
So, where does this bracelet thing end? Will there be bracelets made that say “Protect Your Berries” to promote testicular cancer awareness? How long will it be before someone makes a bracelet that says “Let Your Doc Give You ‘The Finger’ Once a Year” to promote prostate exams.
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