Mumsnet Lads' Mags Survey

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As part of our Let Girls Be Girls campaign, we asked Mumsnetters what they thought about men's lifestyle magazines (also known as 'lads' mags') being displayed where children can see them.

82% said they'd seen publications with sexually provocative images on the cover displayed like this, and 9 out of 10 respondents said they didn't like it.

So we wrote to news retailers, and we're delighted that Sainsburys, Morrisons, Waitrose, BP*, ASDA, The Co-operative Group and Tesco have all pledged to support our campaign to keep lad mags out of children's view, in all their stores.

 

Survey results

Mumsnet Sexual Images Survey Nov 10  
Some retailers display newspapers and magazines with sexually provocative images where they can easily be seen by children while others take steps to hide them from children or make it hard for them to see. How strongly do you feel about this issue? Tick one  
Answer Options Response Percent Response Count
I feel strongly that these publications should be hidden from children 69% 696
I agree these these publications should be hidden from children but I don't feel strongly about it 25% 253
It is not an issue that concerns me 5% 46
I do not think these publications should be hidden from children in shops 1% 7
Don't know/ no opinion 0% 5
answered question 1002 1007
     
     
Are you offended by images of sexually provocative images on the covers of newspapers and magazines when you see them in shops?Are you offended by images of sexually provocative images on the covers of newspapers and magazines when you see them in shops?  
Answer Options Response Percent Response Count
Yes I am offended by all of them 37% 377
Yes I am offended by some of them 40% 399
No I am not offended by them at all 20% 206
Don't know 2% 25
answered question 1002 1007
     
     
Thinking about publications which feature sexually provocative images on the cover and with regard to children being exposed to them in retailers, which of the following comes closest to how they should be displayed?  
Answer Options Response Percent Response Count
They should be displayed as part of the normal magazine/ newspaper display - ie anywhere on the shelving 2% 20
They should be displayed on the top shelf only 23% 230
They should be sold only with opaque covers so that the whole image is not visible 46% 463
They should be turned round so you can only see the back, not the front cover 3% 27
They should not be sold at all by mainstream retailers 24% 238
Don't know 3% 29
answered question 1003 1007
     
     
Within the last year or so, have you seen in retailers newspapers or magazines with sexually provocative images on the cover displayed where children can or could easily see them? (It doesn't matter if you were with your children or not)  
Answer Options Response Percent Response Count
Yes 82% 830
No 7% 72
Don't know 10% 105
answered question 1001 1007
     
     
If yes, which retailers have you noticed displaying these kind of publications where children can see them? Base: All who have noticed retailers displaying newspapers/ magazeines with sexually provocative images on the cover (844)  
Answer Options Response Percent Response Count
Tesco 32% 271
Asda 16% 137
Morrisons 8% 64
Sainsbury's 16% 131
WHSmith 31% 259
Waitrose 2% 20
M&S 2% 19
Motorway service station/ petrol garage 52% 436
The Co-operative 17% 143
Local Newsagent 76% 641
Other (see next page) 8% 71
answered question 844 844
skipped question 163 163
     
     
In terms of both your willingness to shop there and your overall perception of the retailer, did the display of these newspapers or magazines have a negative (ie you don't or try not to shop there), neutral (made no difference) or positive (makes you want to shop there more) effect for you?  
Answer Options Negative Neutral/ no effect
Willingness to shop there 460 441
Overall perception 683 230
     
Answer Options Negative Neutral/ no effect
Willingness to shop there 46% 44%
Overall perception 68% 23%
     
     
Which publications do you feel regularly use images on their front covers which are not appropriate for children? Please tick all which apply  
Answer Options Response Percent Response Count
Nuts 81% 814
Zoo 76% 769
Loaded 65% 651
The Sun 33% 336
The Daily Sport 62% 627
The Sunday Sport 59% 599
Front 15% 147
Gear 8% 83
Stuff 13% 126
None 1% 13
Don't know of any 9% 93
Other (see next page) 11% 110
answered question 985 1007
     
     
On balance which of the following options most applies to you?  
Answer Options Response Percent Response Count
It doesn't particularly bother me if my children see these images 7% 66
I do not wish my children to see these images 91% 921
Don't know 2% 20
answered question 1002 1007
     
     
If you do not wish your children to be exposed to these images, on which grounds do you object? Tick all that apply Base: All who do not wish their child to see these images (936)  
Answer Options Response Percent Response Count
They constitute sexual material, which it is not appropriate for display to children 72% 673
They are not appropriate because they objectify women and/or commodify their bodies. 86% 800
They present a particular version of female sexuality which I don't wish my children to think is the 'norm' 90% 840
I don't wish my child to see nudity or near-nudity 6% 57
I am offended on religious grounds 3% 29
I feel uncomfortable answering my child's questions about these images 7% 66
Answering my child's questions means discussing adult themes that I don't feel they are yet ready to understand 32% 299
Other (see next page) 3% 27
answered question 936 936
skipped question 71 71
     
     
Has your child ever asked you a question or made a comment about these publications? If so, how old were they when they FIRST made the comment/ asked the question? Tick youngest age or NO Child has never made a comment or asked a question.  
Answer Options Response Percent Response Count
NO: Child has never made a comment or asked a question 73% 733
2-4 9% 86
5-6 7% 69
7-8 4% 36
9-10 2% 16
10-11 0% 5
12-13 0% 1
13-16 0% 0
17+ 0% 1
Can't remember 6% 60
answered question 988 1007
     
     
How old are your children? Please tick all that apply How old are your children? Please tick all that apply How old are your children? Please tick all that apply
Answer Options Response Percent Response Count
Under 1 21% 206
1 16% 155
2 20% 187
3 22% 211
4 18% 176
5 17% 160
6 13% 121
7 13% 122
8 8% 76
9 9% 86
10 7% 69
11 7% 66
12 4% 40
13 5% 43
14 2% 22
15 3% 29
16 2% 17
17 2% 20
18 1% 9
19+ 3% 31
answered question 961 961
Not stated 46 46

 

Last updated: almost 2 years ago