Thursday 3 October 2013

To what extent should magazines be held responsible for the social ramifications of the representations they offer?

To what extent should magazines be held responsible for the social ramifications of the representations they offer?



These magazines are all aimed at young girls, and More! and Cosmo Girl focus on looks and sex, where as Bliss isn't as sexual or beauty orientated, but still features something on beauty, that being "Look prettier TODAY! 10 instant tricks to try right NOW".
The issue of More! that I am using as an example is focused on fashion, sex, weight and hair, which isn't really what people want their young, impressionable daughters reading weekly or how ever frequent these magazines come out. I feel that this is wrong, seeing as these magazines have readers as young as the age of 12, and by exposing them to this type of information and making them focused on boys, sex or self image at that young age is also wrong. I don't think parent would want their young daughter to be subject to such an intensity of un necessary information for that age, when their minds should be focused on other things that wont have such an effect on their self confidence and so on.
The issue of Cosmo Girl I am using as an example is about Boys, how to get boys, beauty and how to look "irresistible". Again, allowing this content to such young, impressionable girls is wrong as they shouldn't have to worry about boys and beauty at such a young age, when they should be focused on things such as their education and friends. It also has an article included in that specific issue that seems to focus on how to manipulate a boy, wit the title being 'Push his buttons! Make him yours by text - tonight!'. This issue also uses euphemisms, 'Get fit under your duvet (It's not what you think)'. What they did there was imply something that could be interpreted as sexual but then they say it isn't what we think.
The issue of Bliss that i'm using is probably the most innocent of all of the examples I have used. This isn't as much about sex and boys as all the other ones, but obviously still has it, just less obvious. This magazine seems to focus on fashion, modern day social media, love and ways to improve their self image. This could be more acceptable in the eyes of society  as it isn't pushing sex and make up towards the audience, but more fashion and modern day technology and social media. It would be better if the magazines currently out there for teenage girls were more like this as it could cut down on how much they focus on self image and make them more focused towards more innocent ideas and modern day going ons, like keeping up to date with their favourite TV shows etc. I feel there should be more content including things such as music and keeping them up to date with news, while making it more appealing to the younger audience. I think this would be acceptable in the eyes of the public and could reduce the blame of magazines influencing young girls in todays society. 

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