Tories attack men's magazines

2008-08-04 18:34

London - Lads' mags such as Nuts and Zoo promote a shallow approach towards women and encourage young men to think of them as permanently available, the Conservatives said on Monday.

They play a part in encouraging selfish irresponsibility among young men which in turn contributes to high rates of teenage pregnancy, Shadow Children's Secretary Michael Gove added in a speech.

"We need to ask tough questions about the instant-hit hedonism celebrated by the modern men's magazines targeted at younger males," he said.

'Permanently, lasciviously, uncomplicatedly available'

"Titles such as Nuts and Zoo paint a picture of women as permanently, lasciviously, uncomplicatedly available," he added. "The images they use and project reinforce a very narrow conception of beauty and a shallow approach towards women.

"They celebrate thrill-seeking and instant gratification without ever allowing any thought of responsibility towards others, or commitment, to intrude."

Women's magazines, by contrast, aim to address their readers in a mature and responsible way, Gove told the Institute for Public Policy Research.

"We should ask those who make profits out of revelling in, or encouraging, selfish irresponsibility among young men, what they think they're doing," Gove added.

"The relationship between these titles and their readers is a relationship in which the rest of us have an interest."

No comment was immediately obtainable from the publishers of Nuts or Zoo.

Family relationships

Strengthening relationships is the key to building a better, happier and fairer society, Gove said, adding that strong family relationships must be the cornerstone of any effective anti-poverty strategy.

Britain has the highest rate of teenage pregnancies in Europe. In February, the government launched a £27-million campaign to promote the availability of contraception to women of all ages.

- Reuters