What message are we giving our boys? (Picture: MEN)

A mother has hit out at Asda for selling tops that suggested boys are ‘handsome’, ‘cool’ and ‘diggers of dirt’.

The long-sleeved top, which costs £2.50, also described boys as ‘noise makers’ and ‘lots of mischief’.

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Liann Weir was so offended by what she saw at Asda that she took to Twitter.

She said: ‘Really asda… this is pretty poor. What message are we giving our boys?’

The supermarket defended the top saying their aim was ‘never to offend’.

When Ms Weir was asked if we are losing our sense as a nation, she said: ‘Absolutely not – but we are raising a generation of boys (and girls) who think they should be/think or feel a certain way because of the messages they receive in ways like this.

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‘When they don’t/can’t conform to stereotypes like this their mental health can suffer.’

Another asked her: ‘But if you are a boy, and identify with all of these definitions, isn’t it okay?’

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She responded: ‘Yip. But I know my own son is so much more than this.’

Ms Weir’s comments were backed by anti-gender stereotyping campaign group ‘Let Toys be Toys’.

They said: ‘This is really disappointing and sends an unhelpful message to both boys and girls about how they should behave.’

‘Many people tell us they are tired of lazy slogans on children’s clothing which often perpetuate very stereotyped ideas about what it means to be a boy or girl.

‘Boys can indeed be noisy, dirty, and mischievous but equally, so can girls.

‘Boys can also be sensitive, caring, and creative and it would be great to see the children’s clothing industry trying to reflect that there are many different sides to all children.’

It’s not the first time the supermarket has been criticised for the wording on its clothing, which many have said is ‘sexist’ and reinforces stereotypes.

Last May it was under fire for a jumper with the phrase ‘Boys Will Be Boys’ on the front of it – a slogan still being used by the retailer on another of its tops.

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One mum said she was ‘gobsmacked and raging’ about the £4 item, which she said was ‘problematic’ and could even encourage youngsters to launch sex attacks.