[kay]

I brought it up yesterday in the car (so no escape!) As predicted, he got defensive and angry - I think just that I would dare bring it up at all, because I wasn't saying anything all that awful. I told him (a) I knew it was normal, at his age, to be curious/interested; (b) that my main objection was that such magazines give some people the idea that women are "things" to be "done to", rather than people; (c) that I didn't want to see the magazines in my living room, if he's got them they need to stay in his room. And then I thought of a (d), and he started to get really angry, and I just said calmly that I was going to say it, and he could just relax and listen. I told him that if he and his friends get caught passing these magazines around at school, I would bet there would be trouble, and probably big trouble. (I have no idea what the school policy is on Playboy - and sure hope I don't have to find out!!)

It still seems very strange to me that he would "accidentally" leave it out for me to find - as if he wanted to get caught, but then he's all defensive about it. I don't know, somehow I don't think this is going to end in one of those "aha" moments, when all becomes clear to him and he sits down with me to explain what his thought process was! (Can you imagine????)

[Kelli]

Originally Posted by spaypets

Ok, I'm in the odd position of defending Playboy, up to a point, but only because Barksum questioned whether they really have articles.

Yeah, they do. Pretty interesting ones as a matter of fact, by some of the great writers out there. Their music critics were from the Village Voice and Rolling Stone. Really, some of the articles were fascinating reading (admittedly it's been a while since I read one).

How do I know this? I worked at Playboy's editorial offices in Chicago briefly right after college.

Just wanted to butt in here to say, Spaypets, I'm in the same odd position. I worked for Playboy for almost 10 years in the New York editorial office. I've been to both the Chicago office and LA Mansion a couple of times. Had a private lunch for six with the big guy himself, in his pajamas and all. What a treat! Playboy to me is little more then an Esquire, GQ, Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone type magazine with a nude model in the middle, and maybe a couple more models splashed around. Pretty tame in my book. No icky spreading, lewd sexual positions or some of the other stuff that I would consider pornographic. Some of the best interviews ever done with world leaders and others are in Playboy. I think they've managed to stay around for so long because they are in a "class" by themselves. Definitely adult reading however. Finished with my commercial now . . .

Kelli

[crick]

Well, regardless of our own beliefs about the magazine, I totally respect those who do not want it in their house. And it comes down to the crux of following the house rules...whatever they may be.

And the school thing...definitely stress the trouble to him on that one! Not only will the school have a problem with the material, but these days, it'll be seen as a sexual harrassment action. That will carry more consequences, including a possible criminal offense.

Glad you had the talk though. Might be defensive now, but at least it's out there and the door is open.

[Kelli]

Originally Posted by crick

Well, regardless of our own beliefs about the magazine, I totally respect those who do not want it in their house. And it comes down to the crux of following the house rules...whatever they may be.

Oh, I totally agree. Gotta respect and follow those house rules! My own mother would have never allowed the magazine in her house . . . until I started working there and she had the opportunity to actually read one. Then she became more vocal than I was about telling people where I worked.

Kelli

[spaypets]

LOL, small world Kelli.

I was actually a temp, though employed by Playboy. I worked in the ad sales office and in the editorial office for the music editor. And I totally agree with your assessment of the editorial content. PB was also a great place for women to work in the mid 80s--lots of women in leadership positions.

Long after I dropped other jobs from the same era off my resume, I kept PB on. It was always a great conversation starter for job interviews!

[crick]

LOL! Kelli & Spay....I can just imagine the stories you've got!

My brother and friend actually sold PB mags at school and got so busted! Back in 1980 though so not with the same ramifications as it would likely have today. My mom was horrified though! Not that he had them under his bed or looked at them, but because he sold them. LOL!

[aspenhall]

gotta chime in here and say that I actually got a subscription to them a few years ago.... I loved the articles! LOL and I also liked how beautiful the women were (not in a sexual nature) I do wish they had clothes on and there was more than 3 lines to get to know them! (not enough info to make them not objects) But much more tastefully done than other skin rags>

[lucyjoy]

Crick-my son was getting $5 a picture in the eighth grade. He was making some darn good money for the snack bar....