Funny or inappropriate?

[Maria D]

The woman gets a validating ego boost while the corporation gets filthy rich, OK got it. But... that's why a baby wearing a t-shirt with the playboy bunny logo (indoors, not in public) is ironically funny? Does the baby get validation? The parent? You lost me...

 

[NewEnglandLady]

I think you're reading too much into it. It's just funny. It's the kind of thing that just makes you chuckle when you see it. Okay, for instance, I have a shirt with a picture of Jesus on a hang-glider that reads "What WOULDN'T Jesus Do?!" I bought it because it makes me laugh, but I've never worn it in public. Or I have another shirt that I got at a comedy show that reads "I'm a (insert really awful name for woman here)". It doesn't actually say that, it actually says the c-word and I wear it at home because my husband and I thought the woman's skit was hilarious and we laugh when I wear it. But I would never wear a shirt out in public with the c-word on it, that's not very respectful of women even if I find it hilarious. Nor would I wear it around my kids. If my mom put me in a "Future Hooter's Girl" onesie when I was one, took a picture, then showed it to me today as a 29-year-old woman, I would crack up.

 

[AGBF]

Exactly, so who has the power? I agree that in the case of both Hooters and Playboy, someone is making a profit off women in this field, but they choose to do what they do, so who is really to blame for its existence?

doodle,

According to this logic, if Nike needs Asian workers to make cut-rate sneakers at two cents an hour in its factories the Asian workers, because they are being paid, have the power. They are choosing to do what they do and they are the ones who are really to blame for the existence of those factories.

Deb/AGBF

 

[Laila619]

Just wanted to clarify: it's not even a baby onesie, it's actually a little tank top.

 

[LadyBlue]

Exactly, so who has the power? I agree that in the case of both Hooters and Playboy, someone is making a profit off women in this field, but they choose to do what they do, so who is really to blame for its existence?

doodle,

According to this logic, if Nike needs Asian workers to make cut-rate sneakers at two cents an hour in its factories the Asian workers, because they are being paid, have the power. They are choosing to do what they do and they are the ones who are really to blame for the existence of those factories.

Deb/AGBF

AGBF, I think both are to blame, one can not survive with out the other. But in your example, the moment that Asian people decide enough is enough, and revolution the way how things are done now, those companies will have to change, or are going to have to close.

The difference is that women fight to be able to be in playboy, they love being in parties, drinking, getting gifts from man, using man for their benefit. While Asian people work there because they have a family to feed, and put a roof over their heads.

 

[Maria D]

No I don't think I'm reading too much into it, but, thanks to the examples that you gave, I do get where we are coming from -- where we differ and how we are alike. I don't think the WWouldn'tJD T-shirt would be offensive to anyone, even devout Christians. I could be wrong, but I think while it does playfully riff on WWJD, it also shows the deity as all powerful. The C word in public is offensive. Like you, I find that T-shirt totally funny. I once saw a young woman wearing a T-shirt that in bold letters said F*CK YOU FROM FLORIDA (spelled out, no star) and I thought it was hilarious because she was wearing it in the middle of a Maine winter. Did her frenemy send it from FLA? But I also thought it was a tacky thing to wear in public. (OK -- so there's something I find funny but wouldn't let my kid out of the house in!)

We just have different attitudes about what constitutes the sexualization of children. I would find the pic of myself in a Hooters t-shirt as a child as offensive as if it said "Future Prostitute." Not because I think a Hooter's waitress is a prostitute. I don't think there's anything wrong with being a Hooter's waitress and, like Vespergirl, I feel that prostitution should be legal. Neither label belongs anywhere near a child, in my opinion, because they are sexual.

 

[LadyBlue]

I forgot to give my opinion.

I find the t-shirt funny, me DH do as well. I would not let my future daughter wear it, just because I don't like it. I would like my daughter to be to dress nicely , not wearing High school musical, Hanna Montana or hooters T-shirts.

 

[AGBF]

in your example, the moment that Asian people decide enough is enough, and revolution the way how things are done now, those companies will have to change, or are going to have to close.

The difference is that women fight to be able to be in playboy, they love being in parties, drinking, getting gifts from man, using man for their benefit. While Asian people work there because they have a family to feed, and put a roof over their heads.

gaby,

Believe it or not, women can say, "enough is enough", too. We were not put on this earth to be stripped of our clothing and displayed naked for a bunch of idiots to gawk at. I will never, ever accept that that should be the lot of women. NEVER.

Some women may fight for the right to be put in that position. I will fight for their right not to be stoned to death for being in that magazine as they might be in other countries or put in the stocks for that as they might have been in this country a few centuries ago. But I will also fight to see if I can get them to see that sex for women does not have to mean working for Hugh Hefner and trying to please men. It can mean working to please yourself.

Deb/AGBF

 

[NewEnglandLady]

I once saw a young woman wearing a T-shirt that in bold letters said F*CK YOU FROM FLORIDA (spelled out, no star) and I thought it was hilarious because she was wearing it in the middle of a Maine winter.

Okay, I just have to say this is hilarious. And like you, not something I'd ever let my daughter wear in public. Nor will she be wearing anything plastered across her dupah like my own tween nieces. I definitely get why some people would find a Hooters tank top (sorry, I don't know why I thought it was a onesie) for a 1-year-old offensive. I readily admit I have a weird sense of humor--there is a picture of my own mother 8 months pregnant with me and she has a cigarette in one hand and beer in another (as a joke). I framed it I thought it was so funny whereas I know many would think it was awful.

 

[jas]

in your example, the moment that Asian people decide enough is enough, and revolution the way how things are done now, those companies will have to change, or are going to have to close.

The difference is that women fight to be able to be in playboy, they love being in parties, drinking, getting gifts from man, using man for their benefit. While Asian people work there because they have a family to feed, and put a roof over their heads.

gaby,

Believe it or not, women can say, "enough is enough", too. We were not put on this earth to be stripped of our clothing and displayed naked for a bunch of idiots to gawk at. I will never, evr accept that. NEVER.

Some women may fight for the right to be put in that position. I will fight for their right not to be stoned to death for being in that magazine as they might be in other countries or put in the stocks as they might have been in this country a few centuries ago. But I will also fight to see if I can get them to see that sex for women does not have to mean working for Hugh Hefner.

Deb/AGBF

I'm once again agreeing with Deb. I also lost my post twice (I was mid-post, so I hadn't saved it yet.) It made some pithy point using anecdotes from my improv experience, which repeatedly cast women as strippers and/or Hooter's girls. (The men didn't make much of a distinction. Right or wrong, they just didn't. ETA: I am NOT in any way saying they are the same thing. I am saying that, at best, my classmates saw these jobs as on the same continuum)

I think the whole power/sex/boobs/respect argument doesn't hold a lot of water for some men. I don't think the men who patronize these places to pay top dollar for top cup size are too worried about who has the status. "You want the power in the situation? Fine by me. You can have it." (ETA: I do think other types of men patronize these places, but, as a previous poster put it, might a man go to Chili's at some point?)

I don't like this notion of "using men" or exploiting the perceived weakness of their libido any more than I like the idea of using women.

If my sons ever got a tank/shirt that read "Future Hooters Patron" or "Future Playboy Subscriber" I would be plenty pi$$ed. To me that is no different.

I've edited this twice to make sure I wasn't implying things that I didn't mean to. Apologies.

 

[LadyBlue]

I was raised as a (insert religion) person, I have not watch ****, or visit a strip club. I grow up seen it as sin. Now as an adult, I have not change the way I felt before, but I had learn to respect others people choices. If someone enjoy watching playboy girls, or if a women enjoys getting naked and dancing for man, how am I to say that's wrong? It's their choice. As an adult I decide it's not what i want for me. I'm going to try to teach that for my kids. But I'm gonna teach them as well to respect others and their choices.

 

[charbie]

I think you're reading too much into it. It's just funny. It's the kind of thing that just makes you chuckle when you see it. Okay, for instance, I have a shirt with a picture of Jesus on a hang-glider that reads "What WOULDN'T Jesus Do?!" I bought it because it makes me laugh, but I've never worn it in public. Or I have another shirt that I got at a comedy show that reads "I'm a (insert really awful name for woman here)". It doesn't actually say that, it actually says the c-word and I wear it at home because my husband and I thought the woman's skit was hilarious and we laugh when I wear it. But I would never wear a shirt out in public with the c-word on it, that's not very respectful of women even if I find it hilarious. Nor would I wear it around my kids. If my mom put me in a "Future Hooter's Girl" onesie when I was one, took a picture, then showed it to me today as a 29-year-old woman, I would crack up.

Haha! I like both of those shirts, and I also agree that people sometimes need to lighten up. But if people really hold their beliefs that this is the over sexualization of children, then they are entitled to that. But I don't think it is fair to judge people and behave like their are improperly raising their children if they put their kid in a gag outfit.
I haven't read through all this, but I think a little tee shirt with a bow tie that's says "future chipendale dancer" would be just as funny. Has anyone mentioned the baby onesies that say "party at my crib...bring your own bottle"- is that encouraging kids to be alcoholics? Personally, I think those are funny. My mom has a picture of my cousin they took when he was 5 months old on new years with a stogie in his mouth, hat on his head, and in a diaper which is hilarious.

 

[NewEnglandLady]

Charbie, I completely agree about respecting opinions of those who think it is offensive. I meant to quote the post I was referring to when I said "I think you're reading too much into it". I didn't mean the tank-top, I was referring to a quote about validating the baby or parent. It was sloppy writing on my part not to quote, I just forgot to and couldn't fix it once I posted.

 

[Laila619]

Has anyone mentioned the baby onesies that say "party at my crib...bring your own bottle"- is that encouraging kids to be alcoholics?

No, because everyone knows what "bottle" refers to--a baby bottle. It's a very cute play on words.

There's no mistaking "Future Hooters girl" for anything else. She will be relying on her physical assets (in this case her boobs) to make money.

 

[charbie]

Has anyone mentioned the baby onesies that say "party at my crib...bring your own bottle"- is that encouraging kids to be alcoholics?

No, because everyone knows what "bottle" refers to--a baby bottle. It's a very cute play on words.

There's no mistaking "Future Hooters girl" for anything else. She will be relying on her physical assets (in this case her boobs) to make money.

Hmmm...but on the same lines, it could be insinuating a bottle of booze. Depends on how you look at it. And I realize there is no hidden message in the Hooters Girl shirt, but either could be considered inappropriate for children.

I guess I'm just in the mindset to let people do what they please. Just bc I may put my kids in that sort of shirt around close friends or family who know I will be doing my damn best to raise my children to do whatever their hearts desire won't make me a bad parent. And if my daughter wants to be a Hooters girl (if she takes after my family she will certainly have the "assets" for the job) I won't. Think any less of her. Most people take the job as a way to make better money than they can at other jobs available to college students. I don't think being a Hooters girl is the worst job she could possibly have.

 

[charbie]

Charbie, I completely agree about respecting opinions of those who think it is offensive. I meant to quote the post I was referring to when I said "I think you're reading too much into it". I didn't mean the tank-top, I was referring to a quote about validating the baby or parent. It was sloppy writing on my part not to quote, I just forgot to and couldn't fix it once I posted.

I'm sorry, I was agreeing with you and just adding to it my own words about respect. You've never been anything but respectful on here, and I didn't think you were being disrespectful. Sloppy writing over here as well.

I'm just saying that this is one of those issues about the autonomy of humans, but when discussing an issue like this involving children being raised who don't have a choice in the matter, people get heated.

Maybe if I ever had a shirt like this for my daughter, id make sure she had a "vote for me in the 2056 presidential election" shirt.

 

[doodle]

in your example, the moment that Asian people decide enough is enough, and revolution the way how things are done now, those companies will have to change, or are going to have to close.

The difference is that women fight to be able to be in playboy, they love being in parties, drinking, getting gifts from man, using man for their benefit. While Asian people work there because they have a family to feed, and put a roof over their heads.

gaby,

Believe it or not, women can say, "enough is enough", too. We were not put on this earth to be stripped of our clothing and displayed naked for a bunch of idiots to gawk at. I will never, ever accept that that should be the lot of women. NEVER.

Some women may fight for the right to be put in that position. I will fight for their right not to be stoned to death for being in that magazine as they might be in other countries or put in the stocks for that as they might have been in this country a few centuries ago. But I will also fight to see if I can get them to see that sex for women does not have to mean working for Hugh Hefner and trying to please men. It can mean working to please yourself.

Deb/AGBF

Who says these women aren't working to please themselves? I completely support and agree with you on the examples you gave above. I just don't see how a woman working at Hooters is the same thing at all. It's empowering for women to have the right and the privilege to express their sexuality according to their own personal views rather than the wants or demands of a man. For some women, that means choosing not to be gawked at. For others, it means flaunting it if you've got it because YOU want to and not because someone said you must. I think the significant part of the debate is that a woman has the power to choose for herself regardless of whether you personally would make the same choice. If I start trying to sway women everywhere that my interpretation of sexuality is the only one to which they should adhere without having demeaned themselves, I'm no better than the men who devalue women. Sure, Hooters may not be for me (I'm not cute in orange ), but I completely respect the right of those women who have made that choice. I hope you don't think I'm specifically picking on you here. I very much value and respect your opinion. This is one case where we just see things through two completely opposite filters!

 

[AGBF]

Who says these women aren't working to please themselves?

I will meet you half way on this one, doodle. I am sure that not every woman working at a Hooters isn't doing it to please herself, OK? I am sure that if some of them had not been taught that it was as good for women to be Hooters girls as rocket scientists that fewer of them would be pleased to be there, too. OK? But I will grant you that some want to be there.

I completely support and agree with you on the examples you gave above. I just don't see how a woman working at Hooters is the same thing at all.

What don't you see, doodle? Men are making money from women's bodies in "Playboy" and at Hooters.

It's empowering for women to have the right and the privilege to express their sexuality according to their own personal views rather than the wants or demands of a man. For some women, that means choosing not to be gawked at. For others, it means flaunting it if you've got it because YOU want to and not because someone said you must.

I think that when one is a free agent dancing at a club or a restaurant for pleasure and one can do what one pleases, then one is expressing her sexuality freely. When one is being paid to move for the pleasure of an audience, not for one's own pleasure, she is an entertainer. Being paid to entertain is work.

I think the significant part of the debate is that a woman has the power to choose for herself regardless of whether you personally would make the same choice. If I start trying to sway women everywhere that my interpretation of sexuality is the only one to which they should adhere without having demeaned themselves, I'm no better than the men who devalue women.

I disagree. I don't think anyone is trying to "sway women everywhere" to interpret sexuality in only one way. I think I am trying to get people to take a new look at some old institutions (like "Playboy" and Hooters) through a different set of lenses.

Sure, Hooters may not be for me (I'm not cute in orange ), but I completely respect the right of those women who have made that choice.

As I said above, I would defend them from being put in the stocks or stoned to death. I don't enforce prudishness. I am against censorship.

I hope you don't think I'm specifically picking on you here. I very much value and respect your opinion. This is one case where we just see things through two completely opposite filters!

You are making me smile. It has been a long time since anyone worried about picking on me. Usually the shoe is on the other foot. But thank you. No, I did not take anything personally. To me this has been a pleasant and civil exchage of ideas between us.

Deb/AGBF

 

[pennquaker09]

First, as a man with absolutely no sexual interest in women, I admit that I can totally appreciate a nice errr rack.

Second, you can only be objectified if you allow yourself to feel objectified. I would bet money that a lot of young women working at Hooters do so because they know men are dogs and will pay for beer, boobs, and chicken wings.

And, lastly, I have a daughter and I personally find it hilarious. Like, I think it would be hilarious if my little Savannah had a Hooters tank. I think people that know us would find it hilarious because barring something drastic happening, she's not going to be a Hooters girl. And therein lies the humor.

Of course I'm one to totally admit that I could be wrong.

 

[bobbin]

[\quote]The t-shirt in question doesn't bother me with a 1 year old - I would laugh. It would bother me a lot with a girl over the age of 5 or so, though, at the point these messages of early sexualization mean something.

I might not be the right person to ask though, as the only reason I would consider having a kid is to dress them up in this onesie:

Absolute HYSTERICAL! OMG I'm at work and absolutely dying trying not to cry with laughter. Non-Aussie's may not get the joke....[/quote]


I actually find this a bit offensive. Maybe I am just being sensitive but a very very young baby being killed, a woman being trialled by media and spending a few years in jail when she was innocent and a family being ripped apart just doesn't seem funny to me...

 

[doodle]

You are making me smile. It has been a long time since anyone worried about picking on me. Usually the shoe is on the other foot. But thank you. No, I did not take anything personally. To me this has been a pleasant and civil exchage of ideas between us.

Deb/AGBF

Yeah, it's rare for me to get on a roll with topics like this on PS because I haven't been active enough on here for people to necessarily know how to take me. From what I've read of your posts though, I know you're always up for a good debate as long as it's respectful, and I respect you for that. Thanks to this thread, I now also know that my best friend wants a "Future Hooters Girl" tank top...for her dog. Now THAT I find hilarious!

 

[Anonymous]

As a mother of two girls, I'm sorry but it's just tacky and inappropriate. Seriously. I wonder if the gift giver has a daughter of her own, or if there's an inside joke between them that would make it funny. In general though, I think it's just sad that there's enough of a market for the shirt that it was even made. I don't see it the same as "boob man" shirts, because 1. Hooters is, well, Hooters. The other I've always just taken in stride as a breast fed baby. *shrug*

 

[MissMina]

Inappropriate
It would go directly into the Goodwill box.
I would hope my aunt would know better

Now the Dingo Snack onesie is funny
Why? Because it's not saying anything about the wearer.