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.