Mother mocked after she claims CHILD'S Asda jumper encourages 'rape and sexual assault'

The mother named Debbie Dee from Huntly, Aberdeenshire, has complained about the blue Asda jumper with the slogan “Boys will be boys”.

She has alleged that the jumper’s message encourages rape and sexual assault by dismissing it as a normal male behaviour.

“Let me be clear: I’m not ‘offended’ by this jumper,” Debbie wrote on the social media site.

“I am angry that it is for sale as I think the phrase “boys will be boys” is very problematic.”

The jumper, priced at £4, was for sale at her local branch of Asda.

The mother claimed that such slogans could be used as an excuse when young boys launch sex attacks on others – claiming mothers she knew had already experienced such attacks.

She wrote: “In my opinion, this particular phrase perpetuates rape culture.

“I know a mum of a 6 year old who was cornered recently by 4 boys, saying she had to kiss them. The parents of the boys said ‘oh they’re just boys being boys’.”

She also added that the jumper was problematic for issues concerning gender. 

“And I haven’t even touched on the whole issue of this presupposing that gender is binary,” she added.

“What about when boys are not boys?”

A number of social media users were not impressed with Debbie’s outburst.

“Imagine being wound up by an Asda jumper. These kind of people actually give strength to their opposition by being so ridiculous,” one Twitter user wrote.

Another said: “Just take a minute to imagine. Imagine being that grown woman. That grown woman who got offended by an @asda boys jumper. Grow. Up.”

Another simply said: “Oh please, get a f***** life!”

The jumper is listed as as ‘out of stock’ on the supermarket’s website. 

However, some Facebook users agreed with Debbie.

One wrote: “More that sexist, it’s a potentially dangerous mindset for both men and women. Not what our kids should be taught as acceptable or our youngsters. Well done debs for catching this, I’m quite disgusted!”

Another said: “This phrase is so harmful to our children – I’m horrified that Asda is willing to perpetuate this outdated platitude

Asda told the Sun read: “Our aim is to make clothing people love, never to offend.

Debbie’s message in full:

Let me be clear: I’m not “offended” by this jumper. I am angry that it is for sale as I think the phrase “boys will be boys” is very problematic.

It has historically and still is used to excuse bad behaviour (in boys and men) like hitting, being destructive or boisterous. And even as far as excusing rape and sexual assault.

Look I get it. Most people say this and don’t mean any harm by it.

But boys having their behaviour excused like this from an early age – this message of being above the rules, it sticks.

It also implied that boys have no impulse control. Boys are perfectly capable of respecting people and property.

‘This idea trivialises male behaviour and is the beginning of how society has one rule and set of expectations for boys and another for girls.

In my opinion, this particular phrase perpetuates rape culture.

How many women have been harassed by men and had it explained away as “boys will be boys”?

I know a mum of a 6 year old who was cornered recently by 4 boys, saying she had to kiss them. The parents of the boys said “oh they’re just boys being boys”.

‘And I haven’t even touched on the whole issue of this presupposing that gender is binary. What about when boys are not boys?”