Nude Calendar Men Causes Newspaper Editorial

Editorial: Buck-naked Buckeyes

So what if calendar shows near-naked men?

There are some events that are guaranteed to create a little controversy. Anything to do with abortion, drugs or firearms, for example. Another thing that really sets some people off is nudity.

Why is there always such a fuss over naked bodies?

The naked bodies at issue this time are found in the "Campus Men® in Key West" calendar. The calendar features pictures of Campus Men® wearing almost nothing. As can be expected, many people do not like it. Some people find the calendar offensive and one area store has refused to carry it after this year.

What is so offensive and revolting about the naked human body? We all have one somewhere underneath our clothes. If some people like to look at pictures of naked men, let them look.

In our society, we are so used to the sexist portrayal of women that we don't even notice it. There is a wealth of magazines featuring nude, or nearly nude, women, from hard-core pornography to the "tasteful" portrayals in swimsuit magazines, the movies, and calendars such as the immensely popular "Women of the Scarlet and Gray."

If tasteful scenes of nude women are acceptable, both in print and on film, what's wrong with showing a few nude men once in a while?

This comes right down to our basic freedom of choice. While many people don't agree the market is the best test for every product, it certainly applies to things that aren't harmful to society.

Let it be that way with these equal-opportunity calendars. If you think the calendar is a blatant exploitation of men and a waste of money, then don't look at it or buy it. If you do want to see it, however, there's no reason to feel bad or guilty about it.

Originally published Nov. 4, 1991. Story © Ohio State Lantern. This text is exactly as published.

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