Quote, unquote: naughty "lad mags"

"We should ask those who make profits out of revelling in, or encouraging, selfish irresponsibility among young men what they think they're doing."

-- British Conservative education spokesman Michael Gove accusing "lad mags", such as Zoo and Nuts, of contributing to family breakdown by encouraging young men to view women as sex objects. This from an article in the Guardian.

"Titles such as Nuts and Zoo paint a picture of women as permanently, lasciviously, uncomplicatedly available," Gove said in his speech to the Institute for Public Policy Research in London.

"The images they use and project reinforce a very narrow conception of beauty and a shallow approach towards women. They celebrate thrill-seeking and instant gratification without ever allowing any thought of responsibility towards others, or commitment, to intrude."

Gove said there was a "striking" contrast between those magazines aimed at young men and those aimed at women. Women's magazines addressed their readers "in a mature and responsible fashion".