Saucy mags offer teens "positive advice"

LONDON (Reuters) - Racy magazines aimed at young adult men are a valuable source of information for teenage boys learning about sex, an education body said on Wednesday.

A study from the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) said popularly dubbed "lads' magazines" promoted sexism, but had problem pages that were "a very positive source of advice and reassurance."

While they don't have the graphic sexual narratives and nudity of x-rated magazines like Hustler, Playboy or Penthouse, "lads' magazines" deliver a steady diet of female models pictured in saucy poses as well as light-hearted columns on drinking and how to "pull birds" in pubs.

The report for students 11-16 years of age said that parents and teachers struggled to impart information on sensitive areas of life such as sexuality.

As well as failing to provide the information themselves, some parents expressed concern about the suitability of information that young people receive from other sources, such as magazines, even when they could be useful, according to the report by the body which inspects schools in England.

"For example, the increase in the number of magazines aimed at young men, while at times reinforcing sexist attitudes, has helped to redress the balance of advice available to young people," it said.

The report entitled: "Time for change? Personal, social and health education" said that many of the magazines stress the importance of safe sex, though some spread the perception that all young people are sexually active.

"Nevertheless, the 'problem pages' in magazines remain a very positive source of advice and reassurance for many young people, but difficulties may arise if the messages clash with parental and cultural norms," it said.

The report cited figures which showed that fewer than 40 percent of the 11-16 year olds surveyed in 2005 said their main source of sex information was from their parents and less than 30 percent said they received it from teachers or lessons.