AIBU to think it's wrong to have sugar lollies in the shape of a male appendage on sale in a gift shop aimed at familes, in reach of young children?

Hi Soop, I was requested to call in and say 'Hello'. There, I've done it. Being a doddery old whatsit will you please take my hand and guide me to the kitchen. TA .

Thanks norose.

Judging by the attitude of the woman in the shop when I complained, I wouldn't be at all surprised MissAdventure. I'm 'phoning the council tomorrow to put in a complaint.

Ana my comment is neither a throwing up of hands in horror or complaining it is my point of view as is yours uhh thought that was the point of threads to share opinions !!

(BTW you can also buy packets of chocolate boobs in some shops - what's the world coming to?)

Surely they wouldn't actually sell them to a child? Would they?!

I don't think I'm missing the point.

Perhaps it should be against the law to sell such products to children under the age of 18 - how about campaigning for that instead of just complaining and throwing your hands up in horror?

Not nice & not funny. it would make me walk out never to return letting them know why on the way out, if within earshot. Can't begin to imagine how it would look if you sent an innocent child in to spend their pocket money and they were seen on the street sucking such a sweet

I'm not sure its appropriate, but then a lot of things nowadays seem inappropriate to me. Music videos, adverts..

PS ,Smileless2012, thanks for posting this thread & good on you for tackling the shopkeeper about it , wish there were more people like you ?

ANA I think you are missing the point somewhat , obviously I personally wouldn't buy anyone one, it's the thin end of the wedge, is this the equality & freedom that woman fought so hard for, sad very sad !

My feelings too Ana "they're not meant for children anyway" hence my, well disgust TBH seeing them on sale, mixed in with other sweets in a shop that's clearly aimed at families.

Great posts vampirequeen.

I'm with vampirequeen on this.

Given that children as young as 8 now have their own phones and access pornography in the playground, and didn't I read recently that there were plans to teach children of 5/6 about online porn, surely encouraging children to suck lollies shaped as a penis is the thin end of the wedge?

It's one thing for little boys to be fascinated by their penises, yes, that's been the case for a long time and don't they have ejaculation competitions in the loos? But what about the girls? Girls are already intimidated in primary school by boys looking at porn and by peer pressure to be thin and wear certain clothes? And porn apparently means that young men these days have no idea what a normal sex act is? And I can just imagine some paedophile buying those lollies and using them to groom a young girl, or even boy.

Sorry, I am appalled.

Sinister? Well, the obvious answer is - don't buy him one. They're not meant to be for children anyway.

Exactly, Merlotgran, it changes it from something harmless to something more sinister , I just can't imagine walk along with my 3yr DGD eating one ! Just not necessary ?

Luckygirl "I am not sure the sucking aspect matters that much - little lads of that age are just amused to see it at all. You can buy pasta like this anywhere. I do not see it as sexualising them - rather allowing their natural interests and humour. Little boys have always thought penises were funny and, let's face it, they are pretty comic!" I think little lads (and big lads) penis fascination is very entertaining. The sucking aspect only affects adult sensibilities.

Nobody's mentioning girls.....Would we really want to see them sucking a penis shaped lolly?

Children sucking sugar penises. Not the same as bawdy humour or childhood sniggers.

Crossed posts vq.

I am not sure the sucking aspect matters that much - little lads of that age are just amused to see it at all. You can buy pasta like this anywhere. I do not see it as sexualising them - rather allowing their natural interests and humour. Little boys have always thought penises were funny and, let's face it, they are pretty comic!

I remember taking DCs to Woodhorn Colliery Museum in Ashington many years ago. DD2 who was about 6 at the time disappeared from view and I eventually located her staring intently at a model of a miner about to go into the pit baths. His rear view, with a towel over his shoulder, faced the public but she had discovered that if you looked round the front of him, much more interesting parts of his anatomy could be seen.

That is rather different though from penis-shaped sticks of rock which are intended to be sucked and although the British seaside has always had its bawdy tradition, perhaps a line has been crossed here.

I wasn't happy when I saw them in a seaside gift shop either. It's not the shape but the fact they were lollies that offended me. In this age of the over sexualisation of children is it really appropriate to make confectionaries that are designed to be sucked in the shape of a penis?

Perhaps as they are lollies to be eaten (obviously via ones mouth) it's not such a good idea !?

I don't see it as a problem really either, Kids love to laugh at silly things like that it's fairly innocuous it wouldn't worry me too much I think I'd laugh with them I found a stone on the beach when I was with my grandkids it was shaped just like a booby even with a darker end to it they thought it was a wonderful find and always look for my booby pebble when they come over

It does seem healthy to have a talk about willies and bit and move on.

At a recent children's party we had a packet of curly straws and when we opened it there were a few that were shaped like a penis and testicles - presumably someone in the factory was having a joke - they were the most popular straws at the party!- and everyone had a chuckle about it. A healthy approach I think.