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:
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
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.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
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.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Today's political cartoons - July 25, 2024
Cartoons Thursday's cartoons - a new forecast, an old bumper sticker, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Red Speedo: a 'darkly comic' doping drama
The Week Recommends Lucas Hnath's play stars Finn Cole as a 'reptilian' swimmer determined to win at all costs
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
One Aldwych: where London's creative spirit takes centre stage
The Week Recommends This five-star Covent Garden hotel is the epitome of elegant independence
By Julia O'Driscoll, The Week UK Published