Magazines

Sex sells. In the 21st century sex is used as an appeal to audiences and infultrates many of our media sources. Feminism has been a growing force since the 1900's when the suffragists were working to gain the right to vote, but are the values of feminism still needed today? Some would argue that feminism is needed more than ever. In magazines and other media sources women are portrayed as what many consider to be "the ideal" image which is almost impossible to achieve. People criticize the media industry for featuring women that are too thin, too airbrushed, etc. Our soiciety has become fed up with the image of "perfection" but how would the audinece respond if magazines only feautured "average" women? Women today speak out against the image of beauty that is protrayed in our society today, however, I believe that subconsciously it is what women are choosing to read about. Magazines with beautiful women on the cover continue to sell regardless of their idealistic images. I think that women read the magazines with health, fitness, beauty, and sex tips because they are aiming to improve their lives. Also, magazines feauture stories to help women strive to better themselves and instill confidence. There are articles that cover women who have battled diseases, been rape victims, used self-defense to save their lives. I think that people focus too much on what they consider the negative aspects of magazines that force an ideal image of women on the audience, and they don't necessarily think about the positive aspects of magazines within the articles. Certain magazines cater to certain interests, however I do believe that there are media outlets that are trying to help women improve their lives. This cover of Women's Health magazine provided by www.site.pangaya.com balances both sides of the spectrum.
The woman featured on the cover, Kate French, is a beaurtiful, fit woman. She is dressed in bikini bottoms and is most likely airbrushed but she doesn't look abnormally skinny. Also the slogan of Women's Health is "You & Improved" which shows how this magazine is trying to help women strive to improve their lifestyle. The featured stories on the cover talk about "Slimming Styles for Your Shape," addressing the afact that not every women looks the same, nor should she. I think that the issue of feminism does have an importance in the media. I also feel that people should not just focus on the negative aspects of how women are portrayed in the media but should regard the strides that the media industry is making as well.