Press Releases21 Mar 11

Call for an end to the exposure of children to sexualised marketing (Mothers' Union's Bye Buy Childhood campaign)

Mothers’ Union has submitted a petition to David Cameron, calling on the Government to prohibit sexualised media, marketing and products being aimed at, or easily accessed by children under 16 years of age.

The petition of over 18,500 signatures was presented to No. 10 Downing Street on Monday 14th March by Rosemary Kempsell, Worldwide President of Mothers’ Union, Margaret Beringer, Trustee, and supporters of the Christian charity’s Bye Buy Childhood campaign. The campaign also attracted cross party support from within Parliament, with MPs Helen Goodman, David Morris, Fiona Bruce and Jim Dobbin taking part in presenting the petition.

Rosemary Kempsell said, “We are delighted that the government has already taken action to tackle the commercialisation and sexualisation of childhood through the Bailey Review. We would like to see this Review make strong recommendations to Government to ensure childhood can remain a precious time free from commercialisation.”

Speaking after the event Helen Goodman MP said “Once again Mothers Union is at the forefront of a really important campaign to support families. I’m giving the Bye Buy Childhood campaign my total support.”

The Bye Buy Childhood campaign by Mothers’ Union has three aims: to encourage parents and the wider family to think about the influence of commercialisation within the home; to engage with the commercial world and take positive action to challenge instances of inappropriate marketing or selling; and to hold the UK Government accountable on the pledges made to address the commercialisation and sexualisation of children.

www.byebuychildhood.org