Target in the US is being attacked on social media for a T-shirt range aimed at teenage girls featuring the words “bride”, “trophy” and “Mrs”.
The decision to stock the garments has drawn widespread condemnation that the range is both sexist and advocates rape culture.
One particularly aggrieved customers has launched a Change.org petition asking Target to remove the shirt entirely.
The petition states that the T-shirt perpetuates rape culture by suggesting “that women are merely objects, not humans, to be used for men’s pleasure.
“The word trophy should not refer to any person, man or woman, because we are not THINGS – we are human beings,” it said. “Labeling any person as a ‘Trophy’ is demeaning their humanity and objectifying them as a tangible object that can be bought, used, and disposed of.”
Target in the US has issued a statement in response to the furore. It read: “It is never our intention to offend anyone and we always appreciate receiving feedback from our guests. The shirt you’re describing is part of a collection of engagement and wedding shirts that are available in our women’s and plus size departments. The collection also included shirts that say ‘Team Bride,’ ‘Mrs.’ and ‘Bride.’ These shirts are intended as a fun wink and we have received an overwhelmingly positive response from our guests.”
The T-Shirts are not available in Target’s Australian stores and B&T in no way suggests that any of its Australian stores or the company would advocate the sentiment of the garments.
