SHOULD THEY COVER UP MORE?

As I made my way into the city, meeting up with a friend before she jets off to San Jose; I read a very interesting article, debating whether men's magazines should cover up more? The article had readers sending in their opinions on the topic the following day, all proposing interesting ideas and complex views. "My five year old will often ask: 'Why hasn't that lady got any clothes on? Why is she pulling her knickers down? Why is her friend squirting her with water..?". said one reader, whilst another states "While lads' mags may be distasteful, censorship is worse. Who are these people to tell others what they can't read? We have a right to read garbage too."

Reality star Katia Ivanova on the cover of Zoo magazine; a well known men's magazine in the UK.

Indeed these magazines do express a 'fantasy-like' image of women (or unrealistic I should say), but isn't that the very reason they exist? These magazines appeal to men, they include stereotypical activities which they'll enjoy; games, sports, cars and nude women. So should we be surprised when the cover, is of a nude woman? Bearing in mind, the target audience, I don't really think so.

But, what happens when a teenage girl notices these images? Does that change the whole concept of a men's magazine? To cover up more? Perhaps she'll notice these images and recognise her body is not the same. Over a period of time, as she blossoms deeper into her adolescence, she'll resent herself for it: 'I'm too fat!', 'How comes she has a thigh-gap? I want one' or 'Will boys like me, even if I look like me?' The child will observe the mother feeling upset, after seeing the images. The daughter may then imitate these feelings, allowing these negative thoughts to brew deep inside, passing down to generations. However, statistics show that mothers who are confident and self-loving, have a big impact on their own daughters, resulting them to follow in the same footsteps. So shouldn't the insecure mothers, view these women as inspiration? To work hard and to remain persistent in order to achieve their own goal 'look'? Surely that would also make the child confident and brave in her own skin.

Is it the same for men? Duncan Macrae on the cover of Men's Fitness

If women are affected by these imagery, why aren't men? Do they feel sad and depressed about their own looks? Other magazines feature healthy, ripped male models, bearing a lot of skin, but what effect does this have on regular men? Much the same as women, inspiration. To exercise and live a healthy life, just like the featured male model. 

The final comment I will make? Leave them. These magazines are already placed strategically on the shelves - on the highest level, tucked into a corner, behind other magazines. Some stores are refusing to sell these magazines, unless they provide a plastic sheet, covering the cover girls. I agree with this, as it's very logical, but how? How will they cover the model enough, without obscuring the whole cover? Isn't that what makes a magazine sell, the actual cover? 

What do you think? Should they cover up more? How?

Comment below!

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