Kids Following In Dad's Footsteps

By Author: Mel Joelle
Total Articles: 4328
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In a recent Baby Blues comic in the local newspaper Hamish, the outspoken/dare devil middle child bemoans the fact that his mother has thrown out his last pair of superhero underwear, only to be replaced by plain white briefs with a striped waistband, just like you, Dad. What is his ultimate lament? It stinks to get old, huh? It seems that in this one area of life, children do not wish to be just like their parents. Is this an area that will ever change for the admiring positive?

In the early years, children are generally extremely proud of their parents, influenced by them and eager to spend time with them whenever possible. While this most definitely does not automatically extend into the high school years, it is a strong factor in the younger years. Career days with my dad the firefighter or my dad the welder are a source of great pride for little ones who want to grow up just like their dad. Indeed dressing up in Dad's clothes is a favorite pass time for many little children, no matter how those clothes fit or not. The childhood song: my dad's better than your dad, my dad‘s better than yours. He does is an example ...
... of how this sentiment is a part of the culture.

Similarly, in China, it appears that the sentiment is echoed. A February 2008 survey of 5030 children across 28 cities in China, revealed parents came out as most admired over pop stars/artists and then other relatives. 80% of children indicated their mother and father as influencing them most. Three years ago, parents lagged behind pop stars in being most adored according to this survey. They should be proud of their new post as there is a lot of competition.

How do these parents get their message across to their children? The answer: Example, example, example according to famous Child psychiatrist Fritz Redl. This view point is echoed by family counselor and parenting author, Eda Leshan who believes that the only way to raise a decent human being is by being one.

However - it is unlikely that boys see any appeal or copying power in underwear like their parents'- old grey, shapeless, tighty whiteys from an uninspiring men's collection, This is one area where they do NOT want to be like their parents and this is what is captured in the comic. Today, however, there is a new underwear collection on the scene that will have children knocking down the doors a little bit harder to be just like dad.

Alenver Inc, a new competitor in the underwear market for men's and women's underwear saw an opening and just launched their kids' collection as part of the 2009 MAGIC Marketplace International Fashion Trade event in February in Las Vegas. Alenver's kid's collection of boxer briefs echoes the men's and women's collections with bright strong colors (red, black, white and grey for kids) and their signature wide elastic waist bands with one word messages that are reversed for the wearer to see in the mirror. While the men's and women's messages are age appropriate with YENOM, TCEPSER, and RAEF ON, the children's message is also age appropriate with LIL GOON- referring to the little rascals that children are. Parents can model the fact that underwear can be fashionable, and can also be secretly fun. And what kid doesn't love a secret?

If not following in Dad's footsteps, what have been the choices until now? Major current labels for children's underwear include Hanes (made visible by Basketball legend Michael Jordan), Jockey, and Fruit of the Loom. Boys' underwear under these labels generally includes briefs and boxer briefs. Colors and patterns are often conservative solids, camouflage, novelty prints or character underwear with movie and cartoon images such as Batman and Scooby Doo just as the Baby Blues comic mentioned. Jockey's website claims their underwear has fun prints for your little man. All these styles are age appropriate, relatively conservative and thankfully not pushing children to grow up ahead of their time in the same way that some outer wear fashion seems to do. However, they are not particularly creative in their designs and colors and consequently leave the market wide open for something novel to enter this narrow niche in underwear design. Alenver saw this opening and made additions to this branch of the fashion market.

For children, the role of parents in their development of behavior and self concept is critical. Without even mentioning a word, parents convey messages both positive and negative in their actions and appearance. With Alenver's developing collection, the fashion industry must remember that being a kid is all about fun and not only fostering fashion. Children do not want to merge with the world of plain white briefs with a striped waistband before they are ready. Rather, copying the idea of underwear with secret messages is definitely the way to go for any superhero loving devotee under ten.
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