Marci Milfs was appalled to see risque books being sold at her local Urban Outfitters store in Lynwood, Washington. According to The Herald, she was out clothes-shopping with her son when she came across the racy books. The titles included, “Pornogami: A Guide to the Ancient Art of Paper-Folding for Adults,” a how-to for making anatomically correct paper artwork and “Porn for Women,” a photo book showing men doing housework. Details, inside…

“When I saw it, I was shocked,” said Milfs. She was so offended by the books that she prepared a complaint to her state representative and to other organizations such as Morality in Media, Concerned Women of America and the American Family Association.

Milfs contacted Urban Outfitter’s corporate office. “They said they are not sex books or pornography books, but that they are art books and their goals are to support the artists,” Milfs said. Urban Outfitters has not made any official comment.

To protect children from sexually explicit content, many states have laws that limit children’s access to any material that lacks “serious, artistic, political, scientific or literary value,” said Robert Peters, president of Morality in Media, a group established to fight pornography. “The vagueness of the state law creates a legal gray area,” according to Peters. “Arguably, an item that is inappropriate for children might be allowable if it’s found suitable for adults.”

According to Milfs, “It’s not freedom of speech. It’s selling adult books to teenagers.” Whether or not a book such as this qualifies as “adult” is subjective to each adult individual, and just because a book has the word “porn” in its title, doesn’t mean it’s pornography. While we certainly agree that Milfs has the right to raise her child in a porn-free environment, we’re just not convinced that paper genitalia qualifies as porn, however, your mileage may vary.

Mom appalled at racy books in store for teens at Alderwood mall [The Herald]

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.