News

Following on from the success of last year, Mothers’ Union is delighted to announce the return of our Bye Buy Childhood Christmas Postcards. These cards are ideal for handing out to friends, family, at church and events, and are designed to support parents in navigating the commercial world around Christmas. The cards also include some great ideas for non-consumer based Christmas activities.

Mothers’ Union today, Monday 13th July 2015, asked members of the General Synod of The Church of England to engage with the concerns parents are voicing over the impact of commercialisation on children and on the well-being of the family.

In a panel led debate chaired by Rt. Rev David Thomson, Bishop of Huntingdon, Mothers’ Union raised awareness of their Bye Buy Childhood campaign and called for help from the Lords Spiritual to raise recommendations in Parliament which have been drafted by Mothers’ Union as a result of their most recent research.

18th March 2015

Parents remain concerned about the impact advertising and marketing are having, both directly and indirectly, on the lives of children and young people a new Report reveals. 

Baroness Verma highlighted the Bailey Review on the commercialisation of childhood during a debate in the House of Lords on violence against women.

“The noble Baroness, Lady Howe of Idlicote, also talked about the sexualisation of children. It is essential that we take steps to challenge these messages, demonstrate that they are not acceptable and work to put positive models and messages in place. That is why the Government have asked Reg Bailey, chief executive of the Mothers’ Union, to conduct an independent review into this issue. That will report in May 2011.”

Fiona Bruce MP asks Parliamentary Question in the House of Commons on the Commercialisation of Childhood.

Fiona Bruce MP asked the Secretary of State for Education: What plans he has to address the commercialisation and premature sexualisation of childhood.

Helen Goodman MP asks Oral Question in House of Commons.

Helen Goodman MP asked the Minister for Equalities, Lynne Featherstone MP : What progress she has made on implementing the recommendations of the review of sexualisation of young people undertaken by Linda Papadopoulos.

Mothers’ Union Chief Executive, Reg Bailey, has been asked by the Government to chair an independent review of the commercialisation and sexualisation of childhood.

CREDOS is a new think tank that aims to deliver independent and ojective analysis of the challenges facing the advertising industry. The think tank has identified four areas that need to be prioritised to ensure that the advertising industry is fit for the future: understanding advertising to children; uncovering advertising’s value to the economy; recognising advertising’s creative contribution; and creating broader understanding of the industry.

For further information go to www.credos.org.uk

David Morris MP (Morecambe and Lunesdale) has tabled an Early Day Motion in Parliament highlighting our campaign.

EDM 969 COMMERCIALISATION AND CHILDHOOD

Asda has finally removed from sale padded bras aimed at young girls. Earlier this year, Asda signed up Mumsnet’s Let Girls Be Girls campaign, pledging ‘not to sell products which exploit, emphasise or play upon ‘children’s sexuality’.