Marge--what about your kids?
It was quite a shock to discover that the November Playboy issue which will be on newsstands October 16, is featuring Marge Simpson on its cover. Although generally readers may think this is a great gag, the question is what demographic is Playboy trying to reach?
Quite obviously, there will be people purchasing the magazine for the first time to satisfy curiosity.This is bound to catch a lot of attention-- I mean a cartoon centerfold?
Although the Marge centerfold is “just a cartoon”, it would be naive to think that there won't be plenty of other more prurient photos in the magazine of real-life women.
The main concern is that younger readers will be attracted. Good marketing is not used just for a one shot chance for a better month’s sales performance but to catch the attention of new readers and hopefully make them permanent readers.
In a moment of over-zealous enthusiasm, Playboy magazine editor director James Jellinek emoted, “She is a stunning example of the cartoon form.”
Most of us would agree that Playboy magazine is not school-age appropriate as well as not particularly adult appropriate. As a one who works with school –age children, I hear them many times cite the Simpsons as their favorite show on television.
There appears to be a lowering of moral standards within our society. The slide downwards seems to be accelerating. When I hear kids saying that The Simpsons or even worse, The Family Guy is their favorite television show, I wonder where are their parents as well as what new low point we can now “look forward” to seeing hit our youth to be drawn away from those things that are holy and wholesome.
Understanding peer pressure, I worry about the Simpson kids. I can only believe that her own kids will be cringing when their friends at school start talking about Marge, the centerfold.
All joking aside, Marge may make it big in Playboy, but she will do it at a price to our society: the continual decline of morality in our culture all in the disguise of “fun”, attracting younger and younger audiences.
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Comments
"The Decline of Morality..?" It's cartoon nudity. Since when is cartoon nudity immoral? Since when is nudity immoral? However, I am sure you take little issue with violence, war, corporate greed, genetically modified food, etc. I'm glad I don't live in your household.
Why we always should put obstacles in children. Kind of all we have the curiosity, to see a naked body when we were young. We all were watching Bruce Lee, Rambo and other violent movies. This doesnt mean that we become all criminal minds. Let them experiment with their self. Dont make your children being afraid of everything. I m of the opinion that if you wont try you wont learn...
Sorry, for my English.
As I'm glad that I do not live in your household; frolicking in the fields gathering buttercups, and having to see mom's unshaven legs and pits while eating bean curd and dandelions for dinner... ewww
Realistic,What and Reality--are you triplets? Obviously you missed the point of the article which was concern that an adult magazine (over 18) is marketed to an audience that is possibly school aged. Maybe you are the ones eating dandelions and frolicking through the fields. Have fun!
Before you'd written this article, it may have done well to check on your demographics. The Simpsons haven't been geared to an audience under the age of 20 since Family Guy hit the market. The media, albeit censored to target certain age groups at certain periods throughout the day, isn't as sensitive as you are to 'the decline of morality'. Unfortunately, kids are going to read/watch pornography, rather you want to mediate what age they are exposed to or not. As far as Playboy, the places you can purchase it have an age limit unless you've a subscription already. Marge's cartoon vagina isn't offending anyone or trying to attract a younger audience that lost interest in her in the mid 90s...except for conservatives who keep their ears closed the daily news and still think church shouldn't have been separated from state.
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