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:
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.
-
Mountainhead: Jesse Armstrong's tech bro satire sparkles with 'weapons-grade zingers'The Week Recommends The Succession creator's first feature film lacks the hit TV show's 'dramatic richness' – but makes for a horribly gripping watch
-
Seeing Each Other: Portraits of Artists – a 'riveting' exhibitionThe Week Recommends Pallant House exhibition offers fascinating instances of painterly reciprocity
-
Geoff Dyer shares his favourite books on warThe Week Recommends Out of Sheer Rage author chooses works by Martha Gellhorn, Michael Herr and Dexter Filkins
