Some friends and I were talking about JC Penney the other day and the changes they have made and how they seem to have forgotten who brought them to the party.   One friend told me what his wife had seen in one store, and I asked her to write something up for me.

We are not alone right?

Read about her experience below:

This past spring, when many Christians and conservatives were boycotting JC Penney because of their partnership (no pun intended) with Ellen DeGeneres, I thought it was extreme and a bit ridiculous. Ellen, in my opinion, is one of the least offensive celebrities in Hollywood today.  Also, I am not quick to jump on the boycott bandwagon no matter the cause.

However, I have not re-entered the JC Penney near my home after coming across an overtly sexualized display in the make-up section and being politely dismissed after voicing my concerns. This display was the final straw in what has been a building complaint in my life as a mom, wife, and Christian. Here is a picture I took of the make-up ad:

The most disturbing aspect of this display was that it was front and center at my child’s sight-line. I have three young children, two of whom are readers… I do not want them practicing their reading skills on ads like this.

I understand in this climate of MAJOR political and world issues, my concerns over ads such as this one may seem trite and a bit inconsequential; but I do not live my life in the realm of big world thinking. I live my day to day as a mom who wants a pure and natural childhood for my kids. I understand that sensuality is a natural part of life (hey- I have three kids!) but there is a difference between sensuality and lust. Ads like this, Victoria’s Secret, or most magazine cover shots have created an atmosphere of carnality that reduces pure passion and love to a mere animalistic appetite.

This is not a call for a boycott. And there is no way and no reason to try to bring our society back to the 1950’s; but there is also no reason why I should not expect to be able to go shopping without my children being exposed to subject matter that is inappropriate!

You may agree or disagree; this is just one mom’s opinion. As for me, I refuse to stand by any longer and allow societal norms to dictate what my family is exposed to.  I have challenged myself to step out of my comfort zone and start speaking up when I find my sense of morality under attack. It most likely will not make a difference, as I found in my experience with JC Penney; but at least I will know I am continuing to stay true to what I believe and I will never look back and wonder why I wasn’t a better advocate for my kids.