Last week, the Observer wrote an editorial stating, "fashion is a con-trick by largely gay male designers to make women look more like men: breastless, hipless, as skinny as a boy";

In February, the Daily Mail stated that "the most feted designers, mostly brilliant gay men, effectively tried to squeeze women out of the fashion equation."

Controversial statements, right???

Well Patrick Strudwick wrote an article in this weekend's Guardian were he expresses his thoughts on the statements:

 Abercrombie & Fitch, the very well known clothing brand, seems to be really sturring up some serious problems with parents about their new line of kid bikinis.

The new line of bathing suits by Abercrombie Kids  seems to have a lot more support than parents can take. The trianglular bikini tops, targeted for girls ages 8-14, has thick padding for breast enhancement and this isn't the only time Abercrombie had a controversal peice, in 2002, the company marketing thongs for children. What is this promoting?

“This is appalling! If a parent buys a padded bikini for an eight year old, children's services should be called! The sexualization of teens is bad enough and now this trend is trickling down to our babies,” parenting expert Dr. Janet Rose told Fox News. “If we continue to try to make our children value 'sexy' I shudder to think what damage we are doing to their future self-concepts and adult values. In the long run, I fear we are creating girls who will suffer from low self-esteem and all the issues that go along with that.”

Most parents are asking what does a little 8 year old girl need support for?!?!? Some wonder is this because of the messages protrayed in songs, videos, T.V shows, movies, etc. Is it taking a more of a toll than most people realize? Is it to late to change now?

What do you think? Would you let your preteen daughter wear a push-up bikini top?