Capitalism isn’t the crime

Re “Thongs for kids, and other scary stuff,” Opinion, Aug. 25

I couldn’t agree more with Rosa Brooks’ column on the over-sexualization of children in our culture. Unfortunately, she comes to the conclusion that “we should worry a whole lot more about good old-fashioned American capitalism.” Rather than opt for the totalitarian solution of abolishing or limiting capitalism, we should strive instead to raise the overall values of our society and have that change play out on an individual basis. After all, a teenager with good values would not buy a slinky pink T-shirt that says “The Rumors Are True.” And if no one is buying it, eventually no one will sell it.

ODIN BENITEZ

Burbank

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As the parent of a preschool daughter, I disagree with Brooks’ outrageous statement that consumerist capitalism -- rather than the pedophiles themselves -- are to blame for pedophilia. Pedophiles have been around since time immemorial, well before Ariel bikinis and child beauty contests. Would Brooks blame the Coppertone girl for pedophilia in the 1960s? Was Shirley Temple the cause of pedophilia in the 1930s?

The simple truth is that pedophiles have always lived among us and are not going away. These sociopaths include not only the obvious but many so-called nice people we would never suspect. The best defense, as always, is to be vigilant, involved parents, rather than protest Disney swimsuits.

ROBERT OURIEL

Brentwood