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| This is photo of a rack at my supermarket checkout. Note that the magazine is knee high or the eye level of my toddler. |
This cover is such a let down. What's more, it's the most tasteless photo throughout the entire magazine. Why did they pick it? To sell magazines, I get that. But to whom? Everyone I guess, because everyone can reach up and buy it. I did. Yes, I bought it. I had to, it's the 50th anniversary edition of a magazine I have been buying for 20 years. I bought my first issue when I was 16. That was in 1994. The Dream Team was on the cover. Elle Macpherson, Kathy Ireland and Rachel Hunter. WEARING COMPLETE BATHING SUITS!
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| Photo Credit: SI.com |
I am desperate for this post not to be a case of me being a prude, or a mid-thirties "just jealous" bitch, or a mom ranting, because this is not about me, it's about three naked chicks on the cover of a magazine, at the checkout lanes of the supermarket, for all to see. Most of all, tweens and teens. This should not be an image "Sports Illustrated" is portraying! I expect this from Playboy, NOT SI! I am so disappointed.
I feel for the parents trying to raise girls in this environment. I remember the pressures of being a tween/teen, and wanting to be a popular girl. I realize now how much easier I had it than the girls of today. I didn't have sex driving the rules of popularity. I just needed to know how to tight roll my jeans, stay relatively thin, and apply makeup. Most of all, I had to be smart and funny and fun to be around. Today, it seems the recipe for a girl to be trendy and popular is to look like she got attacked by a make-up counter, and pulled her t-shirt down just enough to cover her ass. Such a shame.
Is there a way to fix this? Probably not. Do the parents of today have a constant uphill battle? Absolutely. The only saving grace is knowing the days of big fake breast came and went, so hopefully tweens dressing like strippers will too. I know there are parents out there winning this battle. I see tweens and teens out there dressed in 'age-appropriate' outfits. To those parents, I applaud you. I know it cannot be easy. I imagine covers like the one on the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover cannot be making your job any easier.
And finally, to the editors at Sports Illustrated, you sell a version of the magazine to children, and because of that, kids look up to your name and magazines. What the hell is wrong with you? I imagine you would have had no trouble selling this magazine with a more tasteful cover, yet you went dumpster diving to the pits of shame, and pulled this one out. And for the 50th Anniversay issue, no less? I am scared to see what you come up with next year. I mean, how could you possibly top three naked girls?
Is there a way to fix this? Probably not. Do the parents of today have a constant uphill battle? Absolutely. The only saving grace is knowing the days of big fake breast came and went, so hopefully tweens dressing like strippers will too. I know there are parents out there winning this battle. I see tweens and teens out there dressed in 'age-appropriate' outfits. To those parents, I applaud you. I know it cannot be easy. I imagine covers like the one on the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover cannot be making your job any easier.
And finally, to the editors at Sports Illustrated, you sell a version of the magazine to children, and because of that, kids look up to your name and magazines. What the hell is wrong with you? I imagine you would have had no trouble selling this magazine with a more tasteful cover, yet you went dumpster diving to the pits of shame, and pulled this one out. And for the 50th Anniversay issue, no less? I am scared to see what you come up with next year. I mean, how could you possibly top three naked girls?
