Selling Sex Through Graphic Tees

"How many licks does it take?, " It's betterÐ'...topless", and "Size does matterÐ'...the bigger the buckle the better." We've all seen or worn a graphic tee haven't we? Cedar Springs High School has buckled down on the dress code over the last couple years. No short shorts or skirts, no midriff showing, no revealing cleavage, and especially no shirts exploiting sex, drugs, or alcohol. What's hard to believe is that there isn't a rule on t-shirts exploiting sex in a devious way. How are these t-shirts not selling sex? They are definitely not talking about tootsie pops, convertibles, and belt buckles. Teens are sending sexual messages through what they wear whether they realize it or not.

With graphic tees grabbing the attention of kids' everyday, it's surprising no one else has brought this issue up. Are you not distracted by them? Tell me you don't take the extra step to read what is on someone's chest. Exactly! We find it interesting, and often times we find ourselves using our imagination, or trying to figure out what they really mean. We usually just chuckle or say "that's funny." What we don't know is that others may see us as "easy" or "sluttish." Do you know what message you're sending?

Danielle Pinney '06 often finds herself wearing these graphic tees because she thinks "they are funny and they show her personality." She admits she doesn't pay attention to what they really mean, and only buys them because "they make [her] laugh and [she likes] the color." She isn't selling sex intentionally, but a student like Ashley Whitford '06 portrays her as if she was. She says "they know what message they are sending", and that they are "sluttish", and "immature." "Sex is to be sold on the streets, not at school." She replies." Wearing shirts like this allow people to stereotype others, and that is wrong."

Companies manufacturing these t-shirts know what they are doing. They are selling to the young generation because they know we are more vulnerable, and more likely to purchase such an article of clothing. As more and more people buy these shirts, we entice the companies to manufacture even a larger number, as well as a wider selection of meanings for the t-shirts. If no one bought them, they wouldn't be making any money;