Many other critics of the swimsuit issue, including Phillips, do not see how a respect for the ability and dignity of women in athletics can be expressed through revealing pictures of women. It's not selling bathing suits, it's selling flesh. That always hit them hard. The other reason Men Against Pornography says Sports Illustrated disrespects women is by discriminating against women's sports. These strong accusations are accompanied each year following the publication of the issue with letters to the editor from concerned and angry readers.
Many people are concerned about children picking up the magazine.
Others see that putting swimsuits in a sports magazine gives a link between athletics and a chauvinistic attitude.