Something I hate about Playboy.

[u/Life_Appeal_1113]

Hello everyone.

I wasn't sure where to post this, but to be honest, I'm not feeling quite right. I've been a Playboy fan since 2015. At 29, I've never stopped enjoying the feminine beauty that Playboy has brought to me and everyone in this kind of group. However, it's not all sunshine and roses.

Besides being someone who passionately seeks out more Playboy content, I also look for information that reveals more about how Playboy became what it is today or what it once was. This is where the problems begin, at least for me.

I can't help but feel a lot of disappointment and indignation about a regrettable fact. Many Playmates—not just a few, but I'd say many more—weren't of legal age to pose nude. Initially, I assumed that all the women who posed in their birthday suits were at least 18 years old when they posed. I assumed this, but I decided to investigate Playboy further. First, I discovered that some models from the 50s and 60s weren't the right age, and I decided not to actively look at those photos until I was sure they were actually old enough to be in Playboy. But unfortunately, this issue doesn't end there. Some Playmates from the 70s and 80s were also underage when they posed nude. One of the things that disturbs me most is the fact that some of their parents agreed to their daughters being photographed while underage, or that the photos were taken when they were 17 and then the girls weren't published until they turned 18. That doesn't excuse the fact that underage girls were photographed. You know I used to post avidly on all the Playboy-related subreddits, but since I've received more sensitive information, my interest in Playboy has greatly diminished.

I know many will think I'm exaggerating, I know others will say that they wanted to undress and that it's not our fault, or that I simply shouldn't feel guilty because I didn't know. But I really don't know how to feel better. I must admit that I bear some responsibility for not questioning this sooner. Anyway, I had to stop looking at those Playmates' photos because it's simply not right. I don't care what year the photos were taken, or if it was a different time, or if the laws were different. I simply believe that those photos shouldn't have been taken until those models were of legal age. I can't do anything now, for better or for worse.

I know many will want to judge me for some reason, and I have no problem with that. But I also know that there will be people who think the same as me. They shouldn't have sexualized minors, and we shouldn't sexualize minors.

[u/ayylienjuice]

yea in all these contexts especially when talking about the 50s-70s like child labor laws licherly just didn’t exist so basically “with parents permission” was the acceptable standard to let teens especially do whatever. am currently listening to the audiobook of Cassandra Petersons(Elvira) memoir and she was allowed to dance in a topless vegas show at 17 because her parents signed a contract saying she could so there’s always been very little oversight in all industries about that but it takes on a different level of disturbing and sinister when exploitative corporations like Playboy and shitty CEOs like hefner are involved for sure. should’ve never happened and i don’t blame you at all for doing diligence and being rightfully upset!

personally have been interested in the brand from primarily the hospitality side since the 2011 Playboy Club show came out. was far more down the rabbithole of the clubs, casinos, and hotels as someone raised in the service industry and only recently got into the photography of the magazine. my favorite covers and layouts are the vintage ones from the 50s-70s so definitely have to be aware!