Some are questioning whether Forever 21, a young women's fashion chain, is in some way encouraging teen pregnancy now that it has launched its "Love 21 Maternity" line of clothes.
The chain maintains that the line was created for an older demographic than its teen customers.
Critics of the line, according to the San Jose Mercury News, have said that three of five states where the chain has introduced the line have teen pregnancy rates well above the nation's average. Statistics from Planned Parenthood of America show only one of the states, Texas, being in the top five of teen pregnancies.
Mitzi Sales, senior vice president for external affairs for Planned Parenthood, told the Mercury News she thought it was "very, very funny that cute maternity clothes might encourage anyone to become pregnant."
"I don't think that's why teens become pregnant," she said. "I was surprised by how provocative some of the fashions looked ... That's where the controversy would be, I think."
"We all know it's not for teen pregnancy. In our minds it's a little bit ridiculous," Linda Chang, senior marketing manager for Forever 21, told the Mercury News. "We're hoping that the whole thing will blow over."
Discussion Questions: Do you think Forever 21 is encouraging teen pregnancy with a line of maternity wear? How would you respond to these concerns if you were running Forever 21?