What do you think? Sketchers Shape-ups for Girls
2011 May 14
Young girls can now wear toning shoes just like their moms. The shoes and the advertisements have been receiving a lot of criticism. Here’s one of the commercials:
What do you think? Is this commercial sending the wrong message to girls about body image or is it just encouraging a new generation that being active is important?
12 Responses
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What an unbelievably bad idea. The negative affects these shoes can have on one’s body (affecting gait, foot strike and overall posture) are well-documented and dangerous.
Horrible idea. Not just because the shoes themselves are dangerous (they gave my mom a stress fracture in her foot) but more importantly because they send the idea that being fit and toned is what is important — not the actual EXERCISE which encompasses so much more than just looks. Terrible for body image, terrible for message. Children do not need an “easy way out” of exercising. They need to learn to love being active.
If they are just teaching kids to be active, then why don’t they make them for boys?
I saw this & don’t like it. First, there is no proof that these types of shows SIGNIFICANTLY do anything. yes, maybe minimally, but save yourself the money & just do stuff with your normal shoes. Just walking around in shoes like these are not going to make your butt lift & shape. Resistance training & other forms of training will do that along with eating better. And now to tell young girls once again, at such a young age, that beauty & how you look matters most – not a good idea.
I agree with Dory above me! This is the total wrong idea!! Kids should be exercising because it’s awesome to be active, not to be fit and toned. I think this is awful!!!
Yeah, I am against these… I’ll be honest. It just seems weird to even talk to children about toning at all! They should be running around because it’s fun!
At first I was terrified, but surprisingly I think this is actually sending a good message. I love the cupcakes lagging behind…
I mean, it’s not like they are promoting being skinny and sexy or whatever. And, it’s not like they are promoting botox, HA! I think it’s sending a message to be more active (I guess). But overall, I think shape-ups are a joke.
Personally, I have a problem with marketing to children in general. One of the biggest, reasons we haven’t had TV in over 10 years. IMHO, Shape Ups are ridiculous for adults and children. (I prefer to workout barefoot or in thin soled shoes so besides begin 20 years to too old
I’m certainly not the target audience.) I will say though that I loved my “Get in Shape Girl” play set when I was a kid.
Stopping by as many blogs as possible to say “hi” before Fitbloggin’ next week.
Maybe we will meet in person!
Hi Jenn – Thanks for stopping by! What a great idea! Hopefully, I can find time to do the same this week. Hope to see you there!
Yes, I believe it is. I’m so tired of all these ridiculous marketing campaigns geared towards children. Of course kids should be active, and yes, obesity is a growing problem. But I can think of 100 hundred better ways to send this message than using a relatively expensive pair of “sneakers” that may not be safe to wear all day long. The idea of toning muscles on a body that isn’t fully mature is ridiculous and potentially dangerous.