Problem: Abercrombie & Fitch, a retail clothing chain based in New Albany, Ohio, launched a line of thong underwear for preteen girls. Words like "eye candy" and "wink wink" were printed on the front of the skimpy underwear that some argued would fit girls aged 5 to 10. Abercrombie is known for its provocative ads and sexually oriented catalogs. Supporters of the strategy claim that producing thong-style underwear for 10- to 16-year olds is a good move; critics think that the line is tasteless and that marketing it to young girls is contemptuous.
Questions: 1. Is marketing adult-styled undergarments to a younger audience unethical? Why or why not?
2. Would Abercrombie have been in the spotlight had the sexy words been omitted from the product? Explain your answer.