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Posted Friday October 22, 2010 by Jackie Morgan MacDougall

Just days before Halloween, parents are fighting mad about terrifying images bombarding their impressionable kids. But it's not the cemetery-themed decor or hanging skeletons that are freaking them out most, it's photos from the latest provocative issue of GQ, spotlighting three cast members from Glee, a show hugely popular with teens and parents alike.

The racy pics, which feature the two scantily-clad actresses who play Rachel and Quinn, posed in a variety of highly-sexual positions (along with a fully-clothed, goofy-grinned Cory Monteith AKA Finn), have created quite the controversy, both with parents and family-focused organizations. In a statement by Parents Television Council, President Tim Winter called it "disturbing that GQ, which is explicitly written for adult men, is sexualizing the actresses who play high school-aged characters on 'Glee' in this way," saying the photo shoot "borders on pedophilia." But GQ editor in chief Jim Nelson fired back when he told The Insider, "The Parents Television Council must not be watching much TV these days and should learn to divide reality from fantasy." He also made the point that the actors are actually adults and are "old enough to do what they want."

The photo shoot is not the only thing parents are concerned about when it comes to Glee. Some argue that the show itself is way too much (did you see the Britney Spears episode? YOWZA). But others say the GQ photos cross a line, and the stars should be more aware before engaging in examples like this. Of course I did a little opinion-seeking of my own, asking if the spread went over the top in the eyes of families who love the show.

Tim, dad of three boys: "Families who love the show that's riddled with sex? I saw the pictures. Parents who are complaining are hypocritical."

Renee: My kids still don't watch any shows that come on in primetime, except the stuff on Disney channel and they are 10 and 12. And I sure don't want my tweens seeing that photo spread....holy *@%! But it's GQ - it goes with the theme of the magazine.

David: I want to let my 13 year old watch it, but the sexual aspect of it is worse than a PG-13 movies, which she's welcome to see. Don't mind discussing sex with my daughter, but Glee is relentless.

Mike, father of two little ones: "It wasn't aimed for Glee's target audience. Would have been very inappropriate on Glee, but made perfect sense in GQ. I don't expect actors to "be" their characters when they're off those cameras."

Donna, mom and grandma: "I do object to the pictures that really do push the limits when they sexualize and objectify people who portray teens. Why do we encourage men to fantasize about teenage girls. Why are we portraying young women as oversexed nymphettes? These photos emphasize the school environ yet make it seem like a sexual playground! Is this a healthy message? I don't think so."

Donna adds, "I see teenage girls emulating these stars because they think that is the way to seem cool. It puts them in situations they don't always have the maturity to handle and wherein consequences can ...be severe, physically, emotionally and spiritually. There are also image issues here...what if you're not physically "cute and sexy"? How do you measure your own worth? It's a terrible message for young men and women. Boys are taught this is all that's worthy of their desire...not much that's lasting or of solid value there. We need a new approach. We're selling out on our kids for prurient interests sold as entertainment."

Mandie: "They're portrayed as sexy teens. Even though they are adults it's still icky. The women are beautiful, it just seems pervy to have them look like they're in school. It makes me sad. Those girls think they need to act like porn stars to get attention."

Melissa, mom of two teen boys and a younger daughter: "The GQ Glee photo shoot bares much more skin than the TV show itself." But that doesn't mean she's turning on the TV when her kids are around. "There are definitely story lines that are way too mature -- sexual innuendos, racist comments and other questionable content. Would I let my kids watch? No. Would I let my kids see the GQ 'spread'? No way! Almost all the actors playing the teens are adults in real life. It's not like Miley Cyrus posing half-naked in that one photo."

Melissa adds, " Just because a show features singing & dancing and remakes of popular songs doesn't mean the entire show is meant for young viewers. A lot of the choreography is pretty risque, too."

As for me, my kids are the least of my worries. I've seen the photo spread -- my goal is to keep my husband from getting his eyes on it. How is a 39-year-old woman mother of three supposed to live up to those images burned in his memory?

Just sayin'.


Jackie Morgan MacDougall is a TV-executive turned parenting blogger who lives a crazy life with her husband and three small kids. Her dreams of climbing the corporate ladder have been replaced by the dream of one day having a nap. You can find more of her musings at The Silver Whining.

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