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I actually think it's photographed beautifully. But then if I consider the fact that it's in a store geared specifically toward teenagers...well that bothers me more.
This was pretty much my reaction too. I looked at the ad and thought "what's the big deal" (right after I thought "man that guy is hot"!) The picture itself is photographed beautifully and the guy is a work of art...at least the abs are..LOL but then I think of who they are selling to and that disturbs me. Would I protest it? No. I don't like it but it is a form of speech and I think that Freedom of Speech is more important..
I get offended pretty easily but for some reason this pic didn't do it to me too much (not the MORAN pic but the A&F one! ) I actually think it's photographed beautifully. But then if I consider the fact that it's in a store geared specifically toward teenagers...well that bothers me more. The people creating these marketing campaigns are adults - why are they comfortable aiming blatantly sexual materials towards kids? I actually think it's a little creepy but it doesn't surprise me anymore. Anyone seen the Gossip Girl ads?? Now those offend me! We are pushing the envelope everywhere but a large percentage of the population believes free speech should know no boundaries at all (and there are valid arguments to be made on that side, I know...) I believe in the concept of self-censorship but alas that doesn't seem to be working anymore. Wouldn't it be nice if we all had the same goal that young adults discover sex in a more natural way rather than the sensationalized hollywood-type view of it?
Honestly, if people really think the A&F ad is selling sex to teenagers, I would hate to see what they think of the other stuff teenagers see, say and do! This ad is super tame. I remember being a teenager in the '90's and this would be considered tame even back then. I know things have come a lot farther since then for teenagers today.
I know that no one wants to think about it or admit it, but teens are exposed to way worse than this ad on a regular basis! I doubt they even notice this photo other than to think, wow, nice abs! or I wish I could get my abs like that! I mean, I am a very much alive woman and see that the body in the photo is really quite impressive, but that's really as far as it goes - and I have a VERY active imagination!
And if parents of teens are so concerned that their kids are getting some perverted idea of sexuality from this photo, maybe instead of protesting they should open dialogue to hash things out and have open communication about their teens' views of sexuality. To me, that would do a lot more good than taking the picture down. Let it start a conversation. It's pretty obvious that this country needs to have more meaningful conversation (especially between parents and teens) about sexuality in order to prevent serious health consequences.
Moderator cut: inappropriate It's about time the guys caught up with this terrible fad, IMHO!! edit: that is, the low-rise jeans fad.
Last edited by miamiblue; 08-04-2008 at 04:31 PM..
I know that no one wants to think about it or admit it, but teens are exposed to way worse than this ad on a regular basis! I doubt they even notice this photo other than to think, wow, nice abs! or I wish I could get my abs like that!
I agree - I was a teen in the 80s and I'm pretty shocked by the stuff teenagers are doing today - also by the pictures they post of themselves on myspace and elsewhere (Miley Cyrus, this means you) - this picture wouldn't faze them a bit. It might be a bit much for younger kids but then the argument goes back to - must a company change a policy, or must the parents handle it...I understand some of the opposition to it (some...a tiny bit) but I can't get behind any kind of protest based on the need for something "family friendly". Not in a shopping mall, anyway.
And if parents of teens are so concerned that their kids are getting some perverted idea of sexuality from this photo, maybe instead of protesting they should open dialogue to hash things out and have open communication about their teens' views of sexuality. To me, that would do a lot more good than taking the picture down. Let it start a conversation. It's pretty obvious that this country needs to have more meaningful conversation (especially between parents and teens) about sexuality in order to prevent serious health consequences.
I don't think the protesters or anyone that isn't happy with this poster thinks that teens are getting "perverted ideas" from it. I think its more about exposure. And again, not liking the poster does not mean that parents aren't talking to their kids. I don't have teens (yet) but we keep an open dialog about everything. And like Vicki, our kids even tho' 6 and 9 understand about marketing. I do think that parental involvement is most important but as an 80s teen as well, I am dismayed at how much sexual content our kids are exposed to.
And while I don't equate the male torso with sex, this particular poster is SEXY and again to me, that's an adult concept that shouldn't be plastered in a place that children are.
Art is art. I definately wouldn't keep children out of a museum but hope that all parents decide at what age their particular child can appreciate the art before taking them to see it.
I am wondering if those that are disagreeing here would volunteer whether or not they have kids. Just curious (not an accusation of any sort).
I agree - I was a teen in the 80s and I'm pretty shocked by the stuff teenagers are doing today - also by the pictures they post of themselves on myspace and elsewhere (Miley Cyrus, this means you) - this picture wouldn't faze them a bit. It might be a bit much for younger kids but then the argument goes back to - must a company change a policy, or must the parents handle it...I understand some of the opposition to it (some...a tiny bit) but I can't get behind any kind of protest based on the need for something "family friendly". Not in a shopping mall, anyway.
People can protest it if they want but the catch 22 in this is that Teenagers rebel to things adults like and dislike.
So moral to the story
Gonna see more skin on teenagers
I am wondering if those that are disagreeing here would volunteer whether or not they have kids. Just curious (not an accusation of any sort).
Lauren
I knew someone would ask this sooner or later - I don't, but I don't live in a void, either...I'm around kids all the time and I get the point. Still think the responsibility rests with the parents. It's not even the internal opposition to the picture that I disagree with, it's the group effort to have it removed. If it were porn or something, then I'd advocate for its removal.
I have no problem with the poster and I have a teen daughter. There is no "sex" in that poster. There is a male torso and that's it. If it had been two torso's pressed together in a sexual pose, I might have more of a problem with it. If the poster was placed in a child's play area, I might have more of a problem with it. If there were genitals in the poster, I might have a problem with it. But all I see is a perfectly sculpted male torso who would look dam** good in a pair of low rise A&F jeans.
The fact is that it is a mall and no one is forced to take their kids to the mall if they don't like what is there.
< insert obligatory comment about how exposing your kids to rampant consumerism and materialism is far worse than exposing them to abs here>
I have 2 kids (thus the screen name ) and I don't have an issue w/ the Ab man poster at A&F. I agree w/ seattlenextyear that I'm more concerned about exposing them to rampant consumerism and materialism. I personally "boycott" A&F with my feet not signs, because it's too loud and the smell gives me a migraine. I really can't believe the store can get away with playing the music as loudly as they do... there has to be some sort of OSHA law about decimals. But I digress.
Personally, I think the human body is a work of art. And it's beautiful in many forms. While I don't have an issue w/ AB Man, I might try to have a discussion with my child about what he/she thougth of ab man and make sure they understand that their bodies are beautiful just the way they are, even if they don't look like ab man. But they are 8 & 5 ... not really aware of ab man yet. Of course, I'd love to be able to walk into store that sells school supplies and not see Hannah Montana plastered on everything. Sheesh!
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) I actually think it's photographed beautifully. But then if I consider the fact that it's in a store geared specifically toward teenagers...well that bothers me more. The people creating these marketing campaigns are adults - why are they comfortable aiming blatantly sexual materials towards kids? I actually think it's a little creepy but it doesn't surprise me anymore. Anyone seen the Gossip Girl ads?? Now those offend me! We are pushing the envelope everywhere but a large percentage of the population believes free speech should know no boundaries at all (and there are valid arguments to be made on that side, I know...) I believe in the concept of self-censorship but alas that doesn't seem to be working anymore. Wouldn't it be nice if we all had the same goal that young adults discover sex in a more natural way rather than the sensationalized hollywood-type view of it?
) and I don't have an issue w/ the Ab man poster at A&F. I agree w/ seattlenextyear that I'm more concerned about exposing them to rampant consumerism and materialism. I personally "boycott" A&F with my feet not signs, because it's too loud and the smell gives me a migraine. I really can't believe the store can get away with playing the music as loudly as they do... there has to be some sort of OSHA law about decimals. But I digress.
