Children's book says girls grow breasts to make them attractive to men - forcing publishers to apologise
'Girls have breasts for two reasons. One is to make milk for babies. The other is to make the girl look grown-up and attractive'
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Your support makes all the difference.A children's publisher has sparked a furious sexism row after printing a puberty guide for boys that says breasts are "to make the girl look grown-up and attractive".
Usborne publishing was forced to apologise over the 2013 edition of Growing Up for Boys, amid criticism the book perpetuates dangerous gender stereotypes.
Written by children's author Alex Frith, the publisher said it would revise the section on female development.
"Girls have breasts for two reasons. One is to make milk for babies. The other is to make the girl look grown-up and attractive," the extract reads.
"Virtually all breasts, no matter what size or shape they end up when a girl finishes puberty, can do both things."
The section was shared by Man vs Pink blogger Simon Ragoonanan, who campaigns against gender stereotyping children.
He wrote on Facebook: "Attractiveness is not a 'purpose' of breasts. The only 'purpose' is to produce milk. Any attractiveness is learned, cultural behaviour."
Criticism also spread to the book's Amazon page, where the title has received a deluge of poor reviews.
"Totally shocking that this book got past the editor! Sexist comments about girls' breasts are really beyond belief. Do not let your young sons near this nonsense," one reviewer wrote.
Another wrote: "Outdated sexist rubbish! Do your sons a favour and pick anything else."
However some defended the book's content, saying the claim was not wholly inaccurate and that breasts are a sign a girl has matured.
A spokesperson from Usborne Publishing said: "Usborne apologises for any offence caused by this wording and will be revising the content for reprinting."
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