UK Retailer Blasted for Kids' Push-Up Bra

Itsy-bitsy teeny-weeny thing prematurely sexualizes girls, say critics

(NEWSER) - A UK clothing chain has yanked a padded bikini top for young girls off its shelves amidst charges that the product sexualizes children. Discount retailer Primark offered the $6 bikini set in pink with gold stars and black with white polka dots, in sizes small enough for 7-year-olds. Child protection advocates slammed Primark for "premature sexualization and unprincipled advertising," BBC reports. More»

Indoor play cuts sun, Vitamin D

(NEWSER) - Britain is experiencing an uptick in rickets, a Victorian-era disease caused by Vitamin D deficiency that causes children to develop bow legs. Today's computer-loving kids spend more time playing indoors, avoiding sunlight and the Vitamin D is provides. Researchers suggest adding Vitamin D to milk and other foods to combat the problem. More»

Mom complains about card poking fun at 'gingers'

(NEWSER) - British supermarket giant Tesco has yanked a card from its shelves that poked fun at redheads after complaints from the outraged, red-haired mother of three redheaded daughters. The company said the card—which pictured a red-headed toddler with Santa and the words "Santa loves all kids. Even ginger ones"—wasn't mean to upset anybody, the BBC reports. More»

Children forced to migrate to Australia neglected, beaten

(NEWSER) - The Australian government has apologized—again—this time for abusing thousands of children forced to migrate to the nation. Some 500,000 "forgotten Australians" were abused or neglected in orphanages and children's work homes from 1930 to 1970. "We are sorry," Australian Prime Minister Devin Rudd told some 1,000 of the victims, now adults, in Canberra. "Sorry for the tragedy—the absolute tragedy—of childhoods lost." More»

(NEWSER) - Teddy bears have been given their marching orders from British nursery schools and day care centers as the government seeks to stop the spread of swine flu, the Guardian reports. New guidelines say soft toys should be removed since they are hard to clean properly, and the sharing of pencils and crayons should be discouraged. School assemblies should be scrapped if any students are ill, the guidelines say. More»