Target Sweater Offends: ‘OCD Obsessive Christmas Disorder’ Sweater Sparks Controversy
A Target sweater offending many with OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) has sparked heated controversy for the giant discount retailer. The store recently unveiled a new line of Christmas sweaters, one red sweater was emblazoned with the phrase, “OCD Obsessive Christmas Disorder.”
Target currently has no plans to remove the OCD Obsessive Christmas Disorder sweater from store shelves. Images of the sweater have gone viral on social media, and demands for its removal have been uttered by thousands. Even though the backlash over the OCD sweater has been both swift and severe, many social media posts, some from sufferers of the mental health disorder, has urged folks to lighten up and move along.
The Target Obsessive Christmas Disorder sweater is being sold both online and at Target stores for $22.40. The item is part of the Ugly Christmas Sweater Collection currently being promoted by the store as it readies for the Black Friday rush, CNNMoney reports.
Other sweaters included in the Ugly Christmas Sweater Collection at Target include a Darth Vader Christmas, Ugly Christmas Tree, and an On The Naughty List sweater.
Both Amazon and Cracker Barrel are also selling a similar OCD Obsessive Christmas Disorder sweater, according to AdWeek.
“I’m calling on @Target to remove the #OCD sweater!” tweeted someone identifying herself as “the original #OCDiva.”
The Target OCD sweater has offended mental health advocates, who feel the Christmas sweater is poking fun at a serious illness. The International OCD Foundation defines the mental illness as “a disorder of the brain which affects the patient’s behavior. OCD has been known to prompt severe anxiety and causes sufferers to engage in both obsessions and compulsions that take a lot of time and get in the way of important activities the person values,” according to the foundation.
OCD affects approximately 2.2 million adult Americans.
.@Target Accused Of Poking Fun At OCD With Its “Obsessive Christmas Disorder” Sweater https://t.co/6TijnSh3AA pic.twitter.com/4RHKCEIO5O
— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) November 11, 2015
Although Target has refused to yank the OCD Christmas sweater from store shelves, the social media backlash has grown large enough to force the company to formally respond to the brewing sweater controversy.
“We never want to disappoint our guests and we apologize for any discomfort,” a Target statement read. “We currently do not have plans to remove this sweater.”
Not everyone finds the Target OCD sweater offensive.
“#goodgrief ppl are so uptight!” reads one tweet. “I have OCD & am fine w/this — it’s funny!”
OFFENSIVE? @Target criticized for mocking mental iillness selling OCD/Obsessive Christmas Disorder sweater #Trendinghttps://t.co/lrCnjw1uJd
— @AmberRupinta (ABC11 (@RupintaABC11) November 12, 2015
The internet, angry about something new on a daily basis, is now upset over this sweater. https://t.co/cvwqvlMh6g pic.twitter.com/glFNDIjDkd
— Matt O’Donnell (@matt_odonnell) November 12, 2015
As previously reported by the Inquisitr, Target is closing 13 stores across the United States. The retailer cited decreasing profits for the closure of the stores. Huge deals will likely abound after the first of the year at locations slated for closure. No specific date has yet been set for the Target store closings, which are expected to occur in January.
Target currently operates approximately 1,800 stores across the United States. CEO Brian Cornell stated recently during a retail industry conference that the cosmetic store changes already sparked a significant increase in sales for both its apparel and home goods, Fortune reports.
In an effort to increase sales, the Walmart competitor has upgraded store interiors, enhancing online sales options, and is now offering curbside pickup for customer convenience as some locations. The Target Black Friday sale is being promoted as perhaps its best ever.
What do you think of the Target OCD Christmas Compulsive Disorder sweater?
[Image via Shutterstock.com]
