Hugh Hefner founded Playboy magazine in 1953 as an outlet for his own repression growing up and to represent the feelings of American youth amid social restrictions of the time. Playboy featured nude images that contradicted social norms but appealed to young readers seeking rebellion. The magazine became an icon of youth culture by addressing topics of sexuality still taboo in mainstream society at the time.

1. Hugh Hefner and his rebellion against youthful repression Hugh Hefner was the founder and publisher of the magazine Playboy , first produced in 1953. His magazine embodied the youthful rebellion against both the repression of the government and the restrictions of family life. By creating such a rebellious and provocative type of media, Hefner was able to exude his own repression as a child and represent the similar feelings felt by the youth at mid-twentieth century in America. Hugh Hefner in the Prime Playboy Bunny First Cover of Playboy

2. growing up Hugh Hefner was born on April 9, 1926. He lived in Chicago, Illinois while growing up with his mother and father, whom both stressed a very strong belief in Puritan religion. This upbringing not only repressed his independence but also sparked a fear in the opposite sex. This unconformable way of living affected him and eventually led to his publication of Playboy . Living in Chicago for his childhood was soon followed by membership in the Army, and then later, enrollment at the Chicago Art Institute and the University of Illinois. His intelligence, placed at an IQ of 152, was closely associated with his passion for art and involvement in publications. After joining The Esquire staff in 1951, Hefner quickly quit to start and edit his own magazine. The first edition sold more than 50,000 copies, allowing Hefner to continue the magazine and transform the American culture forever. Most American families stressed a one-sided relationship between males and females – marriage and raising children. Hefner attempted to change this stereotype by giving the public access to a different type of women: beautiful but also provocative.

3. the impact The young, college-bound and college-going young adults were severely affected by Hefner’s magazine because it provided an outlet for sexual tension and repression. The population had been taught the specific roles for every person in the community; the women were homemakers, the men were workers, the minorities were ignored. Hefner contradicted these pre-set roles by making these everyday women sex symbols through his nude spreads in Playboy . The social turmoil in the 1950’s and 1960’s were exuded in this magazine, and the American population took advantage of this type of media. Hefner was able to directly connect with this generation as he too was inhibited as a child from expressing himself independently. The magazine’s impact on society was exacerbated by the youth’s rebellion from family life. This made Playboy an icon for the rebellion. "I never intended to be a revolutionary. My intention was to create a mainstream men's magazine that included sex in it. That turned out to be a very revolutionary idea." - Hugh Hefner (AskMen.com)

4. Playboy Magazine Hugh Hefner’s first edition of Playboy magazine consisted of well-written articles and a revolutionary nude photo shoot of Marilyn Monroe. This famous actress revealed her sexuality through a cover story and a nude spread inside the magazine. Hefner’s “revolutionary idea” (AskMen.com) sparked interest in the younger generation for many reasons, including religion, family life, and rebellion. Christianity dominated America at mid-century, yet this magazine displaying sinful pictures appealed to the youth, raised on these conservative principles. The magazine unveiled the border between sin and purity, a sensitive subject around religion. The college-bound era was asking questions, and Hefner’s magazine provided answers.

5. Bibliography Images and Quotes &quot;Hugh Hefner.&quot; AskMen.com . 1996. IGN Entertainment, Inc. 22 May 2007 <http://www.askmen.com/men/feb00/12c_hugh_hefner.html>. &quot;Hugh Hefner.&quot; Celebopedia . 1996. Kivlehan Enterprises LLC. 22 May 2007 <http://www.celebopedia.com/hugh-hefner/>. lenin@netcomuk.co.uk, &quot;Marilyn Monroe.&quot; Marilyn Monroe . 2004. 22 May 2007 <http://www.leninimports.com/marilyn_monroe.html>. &quot;Men's magazines.&quot; Magforum.com 2005. Magforum. 22 May 2007 <http://www.magforum.com/mens.htm>. &quot;Playboy Bunny.&quot; AllPosters.com . 1998. AllPosters.com. 22 May 2007 <http://www.allposters.com/-sp/Playboy-Bunny-Posters_i152891_.htm>. Sources See Annotated Bibliography on Webpage