A couple of years ago, as some of you may remember, I sent a letter to our local Publix’s manager regarding the inappropriate magazines they had on display in the check out isles. I even had people sign a petition to ask them to create a “Child-friendly” aisle, that would not contain these magazines.
Well, sadly, I did not receive even so much as a response from Publix.
So, I have spent the last year training my children not to look at the magazines. Well, today this pot just got stirred up again!
I was walking along with my four kiddos, and Cooter, and just before we got to the check out lane, there was a “mini newsstand” just for the Sport’s Illustrated’s Swimsuit Edition. Now, get this, it was only about 2 feet tall! WHO THEY HECK ARE THEY MARKETING TO????? So, I grabbed a manager, and asked her to walk over there with me and I said, “Really?” She tried to put the magazines that were not behind the plastic cover back in order. She apologized and said, “Did they see it?” Well, duh! Yeah they saw it, it’s at THEIR eye level! COME ON! (I didn’t say that to her, but it’s what I was thinking.) What I did say was, “Well, that’s my problem, it’s at their eye level, it’s not even at an adult’s eye level.” She tried to fix the display up to be less revealing. Sadly, she couldn’t do it, because the stand that Sports Illustrated had provided to display their magazines on, had the front cover images on the stand itself.
WARNING: this is a link to see the cover of the magazine, which was used for the newsstand.!!! Perhaps I am prudish, but this is not OK to put at my 4 year old’s eye level.
So, I will say it again, I am NOT against free enterprise, but shopping is no longer a pleasure at Publix for anyone who wants to protect their children’s innocence. I cannot imagine that it would be too difficult set one isle aside not to have these magazines in. Or perhaps, keep these magazines in the magazine section… up high… in the back. Remember, this isn’t a male issue only, our girl’s think what they see on these magazines is reality and IT’S NOT!
Since I did not receive a response from Publix the first time, I really struggled with whether or not I should try again. But you know what? I can at least be one squeaky wheel. So, I created a page on FaceBook called “Publix, please protect our children’s innocence.” If you would like to help protect our kiddo’s innocence, please join the page and let Publix know that we value our children!
I copied this to my blog, I hope you don’t mind. If you do, let me know.
Not a problem!
So your child is no longer considered innocent because she/he sees a woman in a bikini on a cover of a magazine? What do you do when you take your child to the beach, or a water park cover her eyes?
Its not seeing them in a bikini that is bad , it is the poses and the constant barrage of Sexuality thrown at our children
I am astounded; innocence is being robbed from our children more and more. It is a shame, I really thought Publix was children friendly. GLAD you are on your soap box…. YOU GO FrazeledMama!
Wow! I have LOT to learn. I always thought when you modeled clothes you put them ON.
My bad, I will have to make sure next time I try on a suit at Target that I just throw if over my shoulder to see how it looks best on me. :)
I agree, give me a break! Put them where its difficult for little eyes to see!!
Well, well. M…I like your soapbox. Bikini’s at the beach…well, I expect that. What bothers me so much is that the model’s are not enjoying a day at the beach they are posing in unreal positions with bodies that are airbrused to look perfect…they are selling magazines. Who is their target, well let’s see…the magazine is Sports Illustrated, so mostly geared toward the men, young and old. There is no reason to have a 2 foot display that most men would walk by…unless they are marketing to our young children too. Come on Publix, I take my kids to grocery shop… Tear it down! Tear it down!
I’m all for protecting our kids – as I just yanked my daughter out of public school…but I hardly think covering a magazine with a girl in a binkini is worth hasseling Publix over. I mean…they do cover the raunchy magazines that discuss sex and other topics I don’t want my girls to see…but as much as I teach them to love themselves – I want them to love their body and not to be ashamed when they see someone in a bathingsuit. I realize that if you flip through that magazine the other pictures might be offensive. And I do realize that the cover of this years SI she is covering her chest, but there is so much worse out there right now. I get your point, which was addressed years ago, but typically, SI is about sports…so are you just asking that they only cover it ONCE a year?? Other than that, the only magazines you should see the cover of is Home & Garden/Craft type magazines…Elle, Cosmo, etc are all covered up for that same reason. Before they can do anything to change it…the next issue will be out and it will be a moot point.
Good luck with your venture. Maybe just explaining to your kids the values you want to instill in them would be easier. I see you are a Christian, we are as well and I think that my six year old knows what is expected of her and what is appropriate.
Wishing you all the best.
-Katie