Forever 21 testing a maternity line in states with high teen pregnancy

[okok]

The line, called Love 21 Maternity, is currently available in Arizona, Alaska, California, Utah and Texas.

The chain came under scrutiny when bloggers from the fashion site The Gloss noted last week that the states chosen to carry the line also have high rates for teen pregnancies.

[...]

The clothing line's executive vice president, Larry Meyer, said in a statement Monday that the maternity line's store locations aren't part of a marketing strategy.

"Forever 21 did not create, design or distribute Love 21 Maternity to target, or appeal specifically to pregnant teens. Any relationship between teen pregnancy rates and the locations of our stores is unintentional," the statement said.

Why not just say, "Yes, we're targeting pregnant teens with this new line. Pretending the demographic does not exist does not make it go away."

Is it ethically questionable-- or simply too cynical? --to think that this is just great marketing?

Would a new brand be subject to less concern, or even thrive on any controversy?

(source)

[Elli]

I don't see a problem with it. They identified the market and are targeting it. Maybe they are afraid of being seen to make teen pregnancy 'cool?' Anything or anyone that makes teen pregnancy less difficult than it has to be is going to be villified, I think.

[MetaMan]

I think it is WRONG. and i am open as they come. girls are for the most part stupid as fuck at that age.

they see their friends in some trendy pregnant outfit and they think "wow they look so glowing in that outfit and being pregnant" and in turn want to get pregnant also.

also fact is "21" is not targetting "21" just like the magazine "seventeen" is not targetting 17 year olds.

[camgirlshide]

now pregnancy is the fault of a store

The parents and the kids themselves of course have nothing to do with anything.

[Huggles]

Whatever, we will always need girls who will work at Denny's / sell their bodies to pay for baby formula

[NinjaSteve]

That's pretty interesting. I don't think it's going to do well because pregnant teens might probably feel embarrassed to shop in that store.