Dear Editors of Maxim Magazine,
I came across your magazine the other day and noticed something I hadn’t before. Right below the title of your magazine, on the cover, are the words, “Your life made better.” Now, I thought about this for a while and decided I couldn’t come up with a way that Maxim magazine betters anyone’s life.
What draws most people to your magazine, it seems, is the plethora of (conventionally) attractive and mostly-nude women within its pages. I’m afraid the only potential benefit I see here is that your magazine then becomes a means for men to yank their pud. There are by far more negative effects than positive of your magazine. I am, I think, quite safe in stating that the emphasis your magazine places on an ideal—and impossible to attain—beauty standard is not beneficial to the
women of the world. Rather, your magazine is another instrument for oppression, as it reinforces these body image ideals. As women struggle to attain these impossible ideals, many become anorexic or bulimic. It’s no coincidence these conditions affect women at much higher rates than men. Your magazine, along with countless other forms of media, is, essentially, killing these women.
Now, I’m sure you’ve heard all of that before. With this knowledge, though, you, the editors of this widely popular magazine, can do something to live up to your claim that Maxim betters people’s lives. I challenge you to go against the status quo. It doesn’t have to be wildly radical, but do something different. I dare you to feature larger models in your magazine. I urge you to start showing off women’s intelligence or hard work rather than broadcasting them as pieces of meat to be inspected and drooled over. I have my doubts you’ll follow through, but who knows, you might surprise me. Let’s see if you have the “balls” to do this. I am very much looking forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Derek Warwick
Update: I should have clarified that I did, in fact, e-mail them this letter since that wasn’t made very clear.
November 12, 2007 at 9:46 pm
Maxim is just a business enterprise, one among many that trades on conventional adolescent views of women. Why pick on, bother with them? Your effort would be better spend talking to friends of yours who read the magazine, or better yet, talking to people who are NOT your friends.
November 12, 2007 at 9:46 pm
Maxim is just a business enterprise, one among many that trades on conventional adolescent views of women. Why pick on, bother with them? Your effort would be better spent talking to friends of yours who read the magazine, or better yet, talking to people who are NOT your friends.
November 12, 2007 at 10:12 pm
I agree completely, lichanos. This probably IS mostly a waste of time. It would probably be a complete waste of time if I simply sent them an e-mail and didn’t post it here. However, since I have posted it here, people like yourself do come across it, and while you do seem to understand the harmful effects of these images, many people who come across this may not. I do speak to those around me about these issues when I can, too, but it doesn’t hurt to take a step beyond that, I think, even if it has no result.
I’ll also add that I’m a very idealistic person. I know I’m very likely not going to change anything with this simple letter, but change has to start somewhere. I believe that all it takes is a few of the right people to start seeing things for movements to get started.
November 15, 2007 at 2:25 pm
If we don’t “pick on” and “bother” magazines like maxim, things will never change. All it takes is for one person at that magazine to think twice about Derek’s email (or even someone online here) to have made a difference. Getting the word out the the representations of women in maxim magazine is so inherently problematis is the first step in making a difference.
November 18, 2007 at 8:37 am
Mass media reflect and perpetuate deep elements of popular culture and sex roles. They themselves change under deep stresses - events, the economy, other cultural shifts. In the midst of a changing world, the thralldom of young men to soft core porn seems to me a rather trivial thing. Not trivial in the context of an individual relationship, perhaps, but on in the grand scheme of things..?
November 20, 2007 at 11:19 pm
in the grand scheme of things, it’s the micro interactions (such as the objectification of women) that perpetuate violence against women; it’s much easier to hit an object than a person. macro level processes have to come from somewhere, and that somewhere is the everyday interaction between people (the “individual relationship”).
i didn’t mean that derek’s letter would all of a sudden cause maxim to put clothes on its models and start treating women like real people right away, but like i said, if someone thinks twice about the way maxim depicts women, i’m all for it.
November 21, 2007 at 9:37 am
Okay, mikhaila, good enough. But I agree with most of what you say and I still, sometimes, enjoy looking at pictures of sexy naked young women. Puts me in an odd position, doesn’t it? Of course I know that it’s puerile, etc. etc., but on the other hand, arousal is arousal, and it’s pleasurable. And believe me, I have a very solid, respectful relationship with my wife of 23 years whom I love very much, and with whom - sorry if this is too much info - I enjoy sex.
So, this is why I say that in the scheme of things, it’s not too important. I think we pay too much attention to media in general. That’s why I don’t read magazines and don’t watch TV. I don’t want it to be part of my world.
March 16, 2008 at 10:36 pm
no one forcing women to starve themselves
if woman confident and intelligent, will know better than to be swayed by media
will know that models will soon be chewed and spit out
will know that beauty cannot even compare to importance of personality
will be smart enough to find man that appreciates character first and foremost over physical traits
magazine perpetuates objectification of women? yes.. so?
tv, movies, pornography do same - will always be there
looks matter big deal in society - cannot change - will probably never change
looks will fade - skin will wrinkle - will stop renewing
but brain keeps renewing - is limitless - have ultimate control of it
up to person to decide who to surround themselves with
up to person to decide how societal pressure affects them
society doesn’t define you, you define you
have no respect for women who rely solely on looks
good luck with life when are 60
good luck finding respect with botched botox
societal pressures too much? fantastic
intelligent women will be untouched
airbrains will be dragged around in circles and rightly so
March 17, 2008 at 12:30 am
why waste time writing to maxim?
pornography is multi-billion dollar industry
your approach useless
remove all sex, violence, drugs from video games!
remove all sex, violence, drugs from movies!
remove all sex, violence, drugs from television!
will never remove influencing factors
must equip individuals with knowledge to make own decisions
write to EDUCATION department
lobby for proper health class in schools
teach individual when young
some parents may value beauty more so school must be last stand
BUT even teaching about harmful effects of anorexia not good enough
if woman learns to value beauty more than anything, its over
teach females difference between fan love for J.K. Rowling VS fan love for Paris Hilton
ask them what they would rather be respected for, brains or looks
March 20, 2008 at 7:16 pm
@bboyjk:
It sounds to me as if you’re putting the blame on the women. I know that you’ve mentioned society, but what about the men in particular? Sure, women should take a stand against female oppression, but you can’t expect us guys to just sit back and say, “oh well! That’s how society is! what can we do?” What about YOU? What about us GUYS? We have mothers, sisters, daughters, wives, etc… and these women are human! They aren’t just pieces of meat.
You mistake various factors for intelligence. Basically you summarized, for example, that if a woman is unable to escape from an abusive relationship she is stupid. Society, family, peers.. they all affect an individual. Yes, each person has a choice and the potential to make a difference. But you can’t call someone unintelligent if they are persuaded in the wrong direction. Of course “societal pressures” are too much! Society dictates the standard of beauty! I may be wrong, but you probably work out yourself, bboy. “If a woman learns to value beauty more than anything, it’s over”. And what of the men? Haven’t they learned to value beauty in these women as well, if not more? If you’re going to blame women, blame men as well. Blame all of society. BLAME MEDIA.
But you’re right in that each person should be educated early on about EQUALITY, RESPECT, ACCEPTANCE, etc.. instead of all this socializing our children into traditional gender spheres (e.g. blue for boys, pink for girls; rc toys vs. Barbie).
You mentioned that the media perpetuates the objectification of women and that magazines, television, etc.. will always exist in our society. While this is true, I believe you’re wrong in dismissing the fact that these sources can change. We can change, we can be better, we can do what’s right. At the same time, I get where you’re going with the fact that pornography is a multi-million dollar industry. It’s sad and pathetic, and it’s a shame it is that way. It’s the same with cigarettes. If it’s making money, why stop? Smoking, I can understand, but objectifying women is wrong and disgusting. And by subscribing to Playboy or Maxim or whatever YOU are perpetuating the objectification of women! “Teach females the difference between fan love for J.K. Rowling VS fan love for Paris Hilton”? Well, teach men the difference between Playboy and REALITY. Teach them the difference between ‘a piece of meat’ and a human being. Teach them the difference between THINGS and WOMEN (yes, they are PERSONS!).
March 21, 2008 at 10:45 pm
what’s better?
getting good education, obtaining PhD, becoming CEO of company, and breaking stereotypes through success and accomplishments
OR
plead to CNN to stop giving so much air time to spitzers prostitute
CNN and Maxim are businesses - are simply meeting demand
modeling industry all about objectifying people and females are majority viewers of shows like “america’s next top model”
remember going to movie theater and Paul Walker came on screen - enormous group of women started screaming - was unbearable
looks matter for both genders - it sucks but it’s not gonna change
found some discussion points on another site:
“It amuses me to see these magazines on the racks. I look at the covers of the “men’s” magazines and see beautiful, sexy, scantily clad women. I look at the covers of the “women’s” magazines and see beautiful, sexy, scantily clad women. If a woman objects to Maxim but allows Cosmopolitan, I think she’s being a bit silly; I suspect that her male partner will be just as happy to look at the women in Cosmopolitan.”
“Can they be harmful? Perhaps, but only in the way that nearly all media portray unrealistic images of men and women. Better to be aware of this than to attempt to censor it.”
“Both my wife and I look forward to receiving our issue of Maxim every month. Sure, the pictures of beautiful women are great, but the articles are hilarious. The jokes are great and I absolutely love the “beat the caption”.”
“My wife likes cosmo too and I admit to reading it once in a while when the titles of some articles peaks my interest. I’ve noticed that some of the articles in cosmo are far more detailed/graphic than anything I’ve seen in Maxim.”
“I cant stand either magazine, as I think they both reinforce stereotypes against women. I mean, Maxim features articles about getting a woman to bed with you, and Cosmo has articles about how to please a man. So in the end, there is still nothing about pleasing a woman, just like most mainstream porn.”
still say it’s easier and more important to concentrate on yourself than worry about what society’s standards are- this message for women AND men
March 22, 2008 at 12:21 am
In complete agreement with bboy.
Who is saying guys are sitting back and doing nothing about this?
That said, those women in Maxim are not FORCED to be in it.
It is their OWN decision.
YOU are YOUR OWN person. It’s that simple.
March 22, 2008 at 12:51 am
go to youtube and type “booty” or “dance”
can see women shaking ass for entire video
go to comments
men saying stuff like: “sexy stuff” “you’ve got a great body” “UR SO HOT”
men at fault for encouraging it
female at fault for creating and posting video
blame readers who want to see skin.. OR
blame model for accepting money to pose in bikini
chicken or egg?
men and women can BOTH be blamed for perpetuating objectification of women
BUT
up to woman/individual to make decision
May 15, 2008 at 2:30 am
To the man who looks at, and plays with himself to pictures of “young women” even though he has a wife of 23 years. You are obviously not very attracted to your wife. Is she too old and banged up for you? Why do you need to look at pictures of “young women” to be aroused? Obviously, you are a sexist pig, who needs to see women who are not mothers to be aroused. The image of a woman who has had children, or isn’t “nubile” looking does not arouse you.
If I were your wife, I’d leave you flat, and take every f_cking dime you have. You are a horrible person. I feel sorry for your poor wife. I also feel sorry for the young women you stare at. They are your meat.
May 15, 2008 at 11:39 pm
To Victor above:
Have you heard of alternative sexuality? People who fantsasize about things that would weird most people out, and yes in a consensual adult-to-adult context, or even alone (and no, gays don’t qualify as alternative to me, it’s totally normal). Fantasy is not reality, and most people are very aware of the difference between ‘wanking off’ porn and reality.
I get aroused at pretty weird things, and not at pretty normal things. Oh and I’m intersex, raised male, identify and live as female, so weirdness I’ve seen lots of it.
Some people get aroused by domination (not necessarily pain - case in point me: I get aroused by being dominated, but horrified by pain), plastic, PVC, being tied up, tying someone up, a certain look and what not. It doesn’t mean they are bad persons or have no interests in their partner/wife/girlfriend/boyfriend/husband.
I love my boyfriend, but I get more aroused by being dominated than by watching him. I don’t get aroused much by pictures. I get aroused by imagining situations (and if they happen too I guess). But I want to be aroused with him most of the time, or at least thinking about him at the same time. I don’t see anything wrong with that. It’s consensual, both people in the relation like it like that.
July 26, 2008 at 7:58 pm
In this culture the perfect body is displayed everywhere- male as well as female. I’m not saying it’s right, I’m not saying it’s ethical, but it’s not going to change, because it’s not the industry’s problem. It’s our problem. We like looking at attractive people, it’s what sells.
Also, to counter an inevitable point, you’ll see fat dudes on TV occasionally, sure, but almost always as the moronic, useless comic relief (also usually a father).
September 28, 2008 at 9:28 pm
My boyfriend and I got into it because he had bought a Maxim magazine that I found accidentally. I was offended by it. I don’t mind us watching movies together where women are shown half naked or naked, but I prefer if that is going to happen, that it also involves a man for me to make it equal. It is becoming more equal in that way (i.e., Sex and the City movie featuring a frontal view of a man). He acted like he wasn’t too keen when that guy was shown on the movie, but then after that, I found the Maxim magazine. I was like, “What is this?” He said, “What? It’s just a magazine.”
The woman on the front was barely covered with a some fabric….not even clothes. I know he bought this magazine because he saw that on the front. He tried to insult my intelligence and tell me he likes the stories, jokes, captions, WTF EVER!! I am not an idiot! He bought it for what was on the front of the magazine and for him to tell me that he bought it for anything else, just pisses me off even more because he must think I’m very stupid to believe such an excuse. It’s not really so much the fact that he bought it, but the fact that it would not be okay with him if I bought a magazine like that featuring men. I am all about women and men being equal and it frustrates me to no end that women allow this inequality all the time in their relationships and even condone it. He said, “Well, my sister couldn’t believe that you got mad because I was looking at Maxim. She was even trying to get her fiance to buy a shirt a couple of days ago that had a naked woman on it.” Well, wooptie, fucking, who! If she wants to be a twit that likes for her man to not only show how much of an uneducated, sexist pig he is, but also make her seem like an idiot for being with him when he wears it, then that’s her problem. Not mine. I refuse to live my life based on what these ignorant women are teaching their men is okay. I am not okay with it, because it makes me feel unimportant, disregarded, disrespected, and like a piece of meat. I am a person with feelings, a brain and more worth than what society will ever put on me. CASE IN POINT: How is the popular media talking about the potential vice-president, Sarah Palin? Like a damn sex object!!!! WTF? If that doesn’t tell you something, then I don’t know what will. It’s time society and women woke up and starting commanding something more from the men in their lives and maybe they could just step up and surprise us by not being neandrathal men who can’t control their hormones and treat women like objects.
September 29, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Letter writing is important, and I don’t think there is anything wrong with trying to enforce corporate responsibility. Magazines will produce stories and use images that they think will sell, but to say that society is the only thing making the “standard” would be incorrect. Our lives are constantly being shaped by what popular culture displays, and yes, it’s important to realize that there is a lot of decision making going on at the individual level, but that’s not the only place that should be examined. Most people don’t take the time to reflect on how a magazine is affecting them, and they go along with the flow and adopt words like “sexy” into their vocab. A critical analysis of a corporation is just as important as an individual anaylsis. From too young of an age in the western world we begin to associate certain stereotypes with body shape before we can even understand how a person’s body works…I don’t think that’s just steeped in an individual level…
I have to agree with Justagirl though on how porn and magazines as Maxim make me feel. At first, I wasn’t bothered by it, it didn’t seem wrong. The more I saw of it though, it made my heart break…