For obvious anatomical reasons, thongs for men are cut differently than thongs for women. Some still consider the male thong to be associated with gay men, but attitudes are changing as another and more childlike men embrace thong underwear. Thong underwear for men is becoming widely applicable with most of the considerable retailers carrying a selection.
Of particular controversy is the retail by any outlets, including Abercrombie & Fitch, Argos and Etam, of thongs for children Sexy Thongs as adolescent as seven. A spokesman for Abercrombie & Fitch stated that he could list "at least 100 reasons why a fresh girl would want thong underwear."