Would you buy your tween son a "Playboy"?

I don't consider magazines like Playboy to be pornographic. I have to admit that i've not seen a copy of that magazine in decades, but in the days when i did see it, it had pictures of nekkid wimmins (always a good idea) and it had many interesting articles and some good fiction. Joe may be right that it has deteriorated in the quality of its journalistic content, i wouldn't know. However, unless it has also now gone to very explicit images of sexual activity, i can't think seeing pictures of nekkied wimmins (always a good idea) will hopelessly corrupt Mo. What would be worse, in my never humble opinon, would be to learn about sex and nekkid wimmins (always a good idea) from other kids out ehind the gym.

Playing doctor with the girl next door is a fun way of getting some information unless you end up like the two ten years old boys in England charge with rape of a 8 years old girl and even convicted of attempted rape after the girl stated she was willingly taking part in the activity and only said otherwise so her mother would not punish her.

That should read behind the gym. (Did i mention that nekkid wimmins are always a good idea?)

I was thinking and there was something bothering me about buying or giving a young boy this magazine. It was something more than the women's naked bodies - you nailed it (great pun huh) - it objectifies women - you don't want to teach Mo that.

It is natural for him to be curious, but is he mature enough to fully understand why it objectifies women? Granted he will probably see this anyway either through the internet or like others said finding it from a friend's older brother's stash.

But by you or a mom buying for a boy, it almost says that you think it is ok to objectify women - even if you explain otherwise as Thomas suggests - you are supporting financially this objectifying women; ie actions speak louder than words.

If he were to find this otherwise - you explaining it would hold more weight.

I am surprised to hear that Playboy is still producing a print magazine? Why would anyone want to buy pornography in print?

It would be like buying him a typewriter.

Just to be clear -- this is not about Mo. He has not requested a Playboy. This topic came up on another forum I visit and I was surprised at the answers it received. I wondered what an older crowd would have to say about it since most of the posters there are quite young and mostly dealing with newborns and toddlers.

It must be hell to see the world only by ways of a PC filter even when it come to the normal young male curiosity concerning the female body.

objectifies women indeed..........he is surrounded by adult female authority figures so a few pictures of women naked bodies is hardly likely to start him down the road of disrespect for women kind and seeing women as only sexual beings.

Pornography is free and ubiquitous on the Internet I would much rather that my curious kid came to me and asked, than went to Google and looked it up randomly on the Internet.

This is a chance to keep the lines of communication open, a chance to show that a kid can ask anything and still be loved.

It's just pictures of nude bodies.

I think your mention of art nudes is interesting, too. I'd probably get a Playboy, a book of art nudes, and an anatomy book and sit down and discuss all three.

Bah. This isn't about supporting an industry, this is about educating a kid.

My kids will probably want to try my wine, or try my beer at some point, and I'll let 'em.

The curiosity of something that's taboo will be satisfied. The question is will it be furtive, dangerous, and thrilling, or will it be sanctioned, safe, and pedestrian?

If you read clearly I firmly stated it has nothing to do about naked bodies - I don't have a problem with that - being naked isn't objectifying them. Taken advantage of young girls (which most - note I stated most not all - of these "women" are in playboy) that are desparate to make buck. They are being taken advantage of and posed in a way to objectify them.

If you want to teach your boy women are there simply to view naked and sexy for your enjoyment and that is it then fine. It is not what I would want to teach my child (if I had a boy). By buying this magazine for him your actions so you think this is ok.

Also - it depends on the age - and the maturity of the child. And why I posed (and I do realize it isn't Mo) the question would Mo be in a position to understand? Meaning would he be able to understand the difference between your action and words.

I think in the middle works - rather than buying a magazine like Playboy or a medical book - art or similar - something that shows the naked body and its beauty rather than the raw sex of Playboy and the medical coldness of a medical book.

I think that you'd rather show your son a Playboy (and select which pictures are shown) than deny it to him, inadvertently convincing him to go on the Internet where the images are much worse. It might even be an opportunity to discuss the differences between men and women and where babies come from, always a fun mother/son moment.

You and I have very different opinions about Playboy.

Sure, the women get posed awkwardly, and it's all about them being nude, but it's a far cry from "raw sex."

I've seen "raw sex" and Playboy, madam, is no raw sex.

I wouldn't recommend buying Playboy for a toddler.

My parents would have never bought me a Playboy magazine.

It's like taunting a person on a diet with a slice of pizza.

Ha!

One thing I've learned as the parent of a tween is that boys come up with some pretty crazy ideas about girls. Mo's friends know that I'll give Mo the straight dope on things so they send their questions through him and believe me, I've heard a few wacky things.

I'm reminded of a web site I saw recently where a sex ed teacher posted some of the questions anonymously given to her during her class. I'll have to see if I can find it....

Would buying the boy a Sports' Illustrated swimsuit issue be a valid and approved alternative?

I haven't seen one in years either but I doubt they've slipped into porn territory. I have seen some recentish photos that have shown up on sites like "Photoshop of Horrors" though and they weren't porny.

You bring up the idea of corruption and that's interesting. I don't think my early exposure to J's brother's hard core stuff corrupted me at all.