Should Forever 21 sell maternity clothes?
The fast-fashion retailer that caters to teens has launched a "youthful" maternity line. What sort of message does that send?
Forever 21, the go-to fashion chain for stylish and cash-strapped teens, has launched a maternity line called "Love 21 Maternity" in select states, leading some to question whether it's indirectly endorsing teen pregnancy. Three of the five target markets — Arizona, California, and Texas — have some of America's highest teen-pregnancy rates, notes Lilit Marcus in The Gloss: "Coincidence? Or brilliant marketing?" Our line was "never intended" specifically for teens, counters a Forever 21 spokesperson: We're simply trying to attract a new demographic. Meanwhile, Mitzi Sales, a Planned Parenthood exec, as quoted in the Chico Enterprise Record, mocks the notion "that cute maternity clothes might encourage anyone to become pregnant." Laughing matter or serious concern? Watch a local California TV news report:
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
An American girl takes on London, 'Bosch' gets another spinoff and Washington Black leaps from page to screen in July TV
the week recommends This month's new television releases include 'Too Much,' 'Ballard' and 'Washington Black'
-
Australian woman found guilty of mushroom murders
speed read Erin Patterson murdered three of her ex-husband's relatives by serving them toxic death cap mushrooms
-
Elon Musk launching 'America Party'
Speed Read The tech mogul promised to form a new political party if Trump's megabill passed Congress