ACS

Michael Gove, Shadow Secretary for education is to give a speech linking lads mags to relationship breakdown and fatherless children, and that the magazines were promoting a negative view of women and the family. Mr Gove is due to give his speech on family, marriage and education at a meeting organised by the left-leaning think tank IPPR.

In his speech Mr Gove will say: "Titles such as Nuts and Zoo paint a picture of women as permanently, lasciviously, uncomplicatedly available. We should ask those who make profits out of revelling in, or encouraging, selfish irresponsibility among young men, what they think they're doing.
"I think that we need to do much more to ensure that fathers play their full part in the lives of their children.”

"That's why I believe we need to ask tough questions about the instant-hit hedonism celebrated by the modern men's magazines targeted at younger males. 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.

"The contrast with the work done by women's magazines, and their publishers, to address their readers in a mature and responsible fashion, is striking."

He will stress the Conservative commitment to measures supporting marriage and the family and suggest the drive to reduce teenage pregnancy should put more emphasis on making young men come to terms with their responsibilities.

The Association of News Retailing (ANR), an arm of ACS, has specific advice on the ACS website regarding lads mags, titled ‘Lads Mags Best Practice’, which aims to help store owners to place these titles more appropriately in store so as not to cause offence to customers.

Click here to see the Lads Mags Best Practice advice.