Came across this article on marketing sex to 8-12 year olds

http://www.cbc.ca/consumers/market/files/money/sexy/

it details something I've noticed heavily at the local mall, younger girls dressing what I would call slutty. Do you guys notice this in your area? the article attributes it to advertising, is that really fair?

Also what are you opinions on the premsie that advertising in general is detrimental to a captialist economy, because the biggest budget rather then the best product wins market share? Is there a positive side to "advertising" at all? Is it a necessary evil, and why?