Guess what we found out via The Huffington Post? Clarification: Sitrick And Company, which represents
Skechers, contacted us to point out that no parenting groups, per se, have come
out against the shoes. aMomEntrepeneur.com allows any member to post commentary
and change.org allows anyone to put up petitions.
Previously: As
if Skechers Shape-Up shoes weren't frightful enough -- not only to look at, but
by falsely claiming (according to the American Council on Exercise) to sculpt
wearers' legs and butts -- the brand has introduced sizes for girls, Jezebel reports.
An animated commercial
for the footwear shows a series of lanky tweens singing, "Heidi's got new
Shape-Ups, got everything a girl wants. She's got the height, got the bounce.
She's lookin' good and havin' fun 'cuz Heidi's got new Shape-Ups." At one
point, "Heidi" is chased by a trio of scruffy, cartoon dudes dressed
as a cupcake, hot dog and ice cream cone.
Of course, parents
aren't having any of it. Tammy Jones writes on aMomEntrepeneur.com, "This
disturbs me to my core...Shame on you skechers. I'm switching brands."
A petition on change.org reads, "Women have plenty of
time to be targeted for their weight throughout their lives. By not only
marketing a shoe line to young girls, but also not even having an equivalent
for boys Skechers is sending a clear message to girls and women: you're never
too young to start hating your body."
Premature-self-loathing
issues aside, Chiropodist Hillary Brenner told the Daily Mail that she "wouldn't
recommend these for growing feet."
What do you think?
via The Huffington Post.
