Cover of latest GQ magazine unsuitable for 7 year old child

[BrightonSteve]

I've just had 2 big arguments with my wife about the cover of this months GQ magazine that features Rhianna. She says the magazine should not be on the coffee table or with other magazines because the cover is unsuitable for my 7 year old son.

The cover can be seen here:
www.gq-magazine.co.uk/magazine
(this is not an advert by the way)

My view is that my son has absolutely no interest in this kind of thing and the fact she is wearing fishnet tights means nothing. I do not think that at his age he would even notice her. He'd probaly take more notice if she was wearing a pair of yellow and pink flares (or a santa hat).

Now, I agree that the content of GQ may not be suitable (especially the sex Q&A they feature each month) but he would never pick up and read the magazine.

If I really thought that this magazine was corrupting my son in any way I wouldnt even bring it in the house.

Whats your view?

im amazed by how many people have replied. The forums I'm used to posting on (IT and web design forums) take hours to get replies.

we're all bored

yes they do.

i suppose if you think the cover might be corrupting your son, i'd ban vogue and elle and those type of magazines too

And have no friends

True littlefish. I cant be sure. But the argument was about the cover. And I think the cover is not harmful.

the speediness of replies is unique to mumsnet. it's such a great site

Bored mother with child asleep and dh on nights. Its this or facebook

hi southeastastra, I now know where I'm coming to for advice in future... ;-)

Lets just agree that ALL magazines are crap and talk about X factor

Whether you think the cover is harmful or not, you have said yourself that you think the contents is unsuitable.

Therefore, you should put the magazine away somewhere that your ds won't be able to pick it up and read it.

Why not discuss the over-sexualisation of women and young girls as a general concept, rather than the suitability of this one, particular magazine cover.

I used to have similar problems on occasion with the arty sections of the Guardian, Times and Observer.
Sometimes the 'art' in question was rather more graphic than I wanted my children introduced to when they were younger.
Is it worth a fight with your wife? She's not banned it from the house, just asking you to be discreet.

I think she looks hawt. And I wouldn't have a problem with it on the coffee table. Or on the kitchen table, to be frank Fnar.

I mean, discuss it with your wife (or us, if you'd rather. )

All magazines are crap

I want Matt to win

and

slap him with a wet kipper

LeninGrad, if you open Cosmo or one of the mags, you'll see "Torso of the Month" which effectively objectifies men.

I think there is a place for that kind of thing. After all people like to look at good looking people. Theres nothing wrong with that.

i think we should bring back 'for women' magazine. that was hawt

'I agree that if my son was a bit older (10 or so) then I wouldnt have the magazine in the house but as he is 7 he doesnt even notice.'

I thought that was interesting.
Steve, at what point will he have crossed over that line? As a parent (though mine are younger) I know that kids often do things at the ages you weren't expecting (eg I had an argument with my 5yo about whether she could wear lip gloss to school - wasn't expecting that one for a few more years )
so isn't there a risk that he will have got to the stage where it isn't suitable before you know it and you will realise it's too late and he's already been looking at unsuitable stuff?
And isn't there also a danger that by that point you'll think 'oh well, he's been seeing this stuff around the house for a few years, might as well leave it?
what I think I'm trying to say is that it's probably better (and safer) to start as you mean to go on, rather than try and ignore the problem for as long as you can.

Yes Goblinchild, I've sometimes opened the Sunday Times magazine to find truly horrifying pictures of war, blood, wounds, anger. Pictures I'd never want my ds to see.

At least you can choose whether that magazine is in your home or not! What I object to is performances of Burlesque by Christina A on X-factor on what is supposed to be family show! Apologies if this was covered in another thread.

You think there is a place for it, but your wife doesn't. You need to discuss the wider issues attached to this.

Yes, X factor was covered in another thread.

Hi sethstarkaddersmum, thats a good point: "so isn't there a risk that he will have got to the stage where it isn't suitable before you know it and you will realise it's too late and he's already been looking at unsuitable stuff?"

To be honest though, Ive seen more overtly sexual outfits and behaviour on Strictly Come Dancing (and I'm not going to ban Saturfay night TV)

never want? why?

i was left to watch tv news about vietnamese war and boat people - didn't emotionally scar me, just made me more humanist

getting worked up about a magazine cover or itv show is sort of warped thinking