What is your take on tweens spending (ABC Girls)?

Question

"There's a huge uptick in teens shopping for traditional luxury brands," said Jim Taylor, vice chairman of the Harrison Group, a marketing company that recently conducted a survey of teenagers' preferences. "Having a Gucci scarf is part of being a kid today."

"They're 100 percent more brand-conscious today than they used to be," said Fraser Ross, owner of the upscale store Kitson. "A 12-year-old will know what Louis Vuitton is."

Answer 1

it actually doesn't bother me because most of those teens who buy those products come from:

a. rich families that will by that stuff, so they really dont spend all day thinking about how to afford it. Or how to afford much else.

b. have parents that can , do and will wear that stuff like its nothing ( because its just clothing to them).

The only thing that scares me is the haughtiness about it. There is nothing wrong with having the means to get those things, but if children start defining themselves by what they wear ( which they often do) it damages them. Remember, the rich tend to do things most commoners cant understand. Thats why this stuff shocks us.


while I will satisfy the predominat trend here to bash materialism and superficiality in children, I do realize that most of these "studies" dont track very much or provide alternative views on the spending. Who is doing this ( in terms of class, race, gender, etc), What is the occasion, and most importantly WHY?
There is so much more to information than we get from TV, so much more.

Answer 2

I think a 20 year old will know what bankruptcy is unless his or her parent gives them a swift kick in the butt while they're still tweens. I blame T.V. to an extent, and having heroes like Paris, Brit, and Lindsey. But mostly I blame parents who don't instill values in their kids of what is really important and valuable. They also spoil their kids way too much, thinking it makes them a better parent if they can afford to cater to their child's every little whim. I think that has to do with the parents' own self-esteem in a materialistic world; If Mrs. Smith buys her daughter a Gucci scarf and Mrs. Brown doesn't, then Mrs. Brown feels inadequate finanicially when her daughter shows up at school in Target apparel. It's just symptomatic of America's complete obsession with material goods.

Answer 3

I think a 12 year old with a Louis Vuitton, Prada or Chanel is a lil over the top... but I'm big into name brands so i don't really see anything wrong with it all!

Answer 4

Kids are being rushed into growing up. My daughter is on the verge of tweenness and has no idea who Gucci and Louis are.

Answer 5

I have two words for you... Orange County. Anyway you slice it, America is obsessed with stuff. People care about extreme makeovers and Dr. 90210. Children are a product of their environment and ours is vapid poison. Teen girls role models are Paris Hilton and Lindsey Lohan... that's the crap we have to look forward to. God help us all!

Answer 6

I think it will lead to more illegal imitations being made and sold and a higher rate of shoplifting. Kids today are more materialistic than any other generation before them, and the stupid crap they have to watch on TV only makes it worse.

Answer 7

The marketers absolutely love this trend, but if you look at the big picture it really is promoting materialism and superficiality. Don't we want to teach our children better principles?

Answer 8

Lip gloss, perfumes or physique sprays are good innovations for stockings. Any CDs or video clips you prefer, ipod upload-ons or case, present taking part in cards for shops you like, nail polish, hair upload-ons, laptop video games, books, journals in case you prefer to write down or draw. Are there any iciness upload-ons like hats, scarves or gloves which you opt for? because of the fact which you like boardgames, that's beneficial to invite for some new board video games that are out. in case you have your ears pierced that's beneficial to invite for brand spanking new jewelry because of the fact the fee selection you have is a huge one. image frames or scrapbooking products are consistently superb. something on your room? possibly you opt for a clean bedspread or some new decorations on your mattress room. Toys, of course, are nonetheless suitable for twelve 365 days olds to an volume. in case you're athletic you should ask for outfits to artwork out or do activities in, or donning equipment in case you're into that form of element. because of the fact which you're saying you're girly you should ask for a modern-day certificates for a spa or nail salon, or maybe ask for an at domicile makeover equipment, the two with makeup or nail stuff.

Answer 9

It is disgusting...kids are told how to be kids...how to act, wear, play...

This has gotten so stupid- my kids aren't getting TV (I didn't have it until I was 12) and I'm happy my parents did this.

If my kids want Louis Vuitton they better have it at Kmart.

Answer 10

well i don't se what the big problem is. me and my friends are all tweens and all of them have cell phones, i have the ipod. we all watch shows like one tree hill, americas next top model, gilmore girls, roseanne, etc. there's nothing wrong with that. at least we don't swear as much as the guys at school.