Why still the superficial topics in most women's magazines?

Question

In general magazines for women revolve around making men happy. On the other hand men's magazines have a few words on their pages about women. Some of them will feature a woman on the cover in a sexy pose, but their magazines will almost never focus on how to communicate with women, how to win women over, or have any of the types of articles women’s magazines tend to have on the opposite sex, like "Cosmopolitan".

How is possible that this continues still today in the twenty first century? And what is sad is that there is a big market for this kind of reading material.

What happened to a feminist magazine (don't remember the name) that was quiet successful during the 80/90's (I think Gloria Steinman was on of the directors, but not sure about this)???

Are there some women's magazines that you know about that do not talk about "how to get a man in 15 minutes and such (lol)?

Multiple questions in one, sorry.

Answer 1

I took a women and media studies class in college, and I bet the info we found out then hasn't changed much (I did a couple of research papers on magazines):

1) Most of the Women's magazine owners were men
2) Most of the Women's magazine editors were men
3) Most of the Women's magazine writers were men
4) Just like television, the main reason the magazines existed, was to sell ads
5) Many women's magazines owners/editors are pressured by their advertisers to create articles relating to their products (ie What will solve your man problem? Shave more)

I've never bought a women's magazine. I have been given sub's that I've thrown away. I subscribed to Ms for years, Curve (lesbian), off my back, and The Women's Review of Books. I've liked these progressive mags enough to subscribe at various times as well: Mother Jones and Utne Reader

I've picked up copies of B*tch, Bust, Jane, Signs, and progressive mag's like In These Times and Dissent, and gay mag's like Out and the Advocate.

Answer 2

I actually read bits and pieces of one of those mags the other day because the front cover was so outrageous sounding.

Things like the man manual. And magical weight loss (seems to be the most common two topics) And the 10 things that get the average woman down. Or some such.

The man manual was good for a laugh. Which is more than I can say for some other mags I've seen.

All I can say to the fact that these mags have such subjects is this: Well, the more people buying, the more people selling. If so many of these women mags have such topics all through them, then that is probably representing the amount of women who are interested in those topics. The market has spoken.

Answer 3

That's why I don't buy women magazines! They are so shallow! What's more, most of the articles are merely there to tell you which product to buy. I used to buy those magazines, though.

When I was a teenager, but I would usually choose the one that had mainly beauty tips (although I still don't really use make up, but never mind!), but mostly I used to buy one called "20 ans" (20 years old - I'm French), and it was a great magazine because it was very funny, satirical. You had articles about such topics as "return of the garden gnomes", which really is a stupid subject, but it was written in a funny way (my mum would read the mag. as well). Unfortunately, by the time I was 17, it had become another typical girls' mag, so I stopped buying it.

I also bought a few men's mag, just to know what they were talking about, but they also soon bored me. So, to answer your question, no, there aren't really any interesting women's mag, although I think there's one in France that's not too bad, actually (but I don't live in France anymore, so...).

Unfortunately, those are subject that apparently appeal to a lot of women, so we probably aren't going to see the end of them soon.

Answer 4

I don't know......Women's magazines such as Cosmo and Cleo are so hideously boring.
There are better things to do in life than worry about dieting down to a size 0, having the best clothes and make-up, how to completely change ourselves in order to be seen as attractive by men. These magazines are putting across the notion that any woman is not good enough.

Personally for fun, I like to read men's magazines though it's been a while since I've had one to read. They don't have so much trash in them.

Answer 5

Women communicate differently than men-we all know this. Women like to hash over a subject, while men just want to solve the problem. Part of how we, as females, process situations and stress, is by talking about it. The subjects don't change because we all deal with the same basic situations as human beings. I don't know the name of the magazine you are referring to. I personally really enjoy O, Self, and Elle. These tend to discuss other topics than what you have listed.

Answer 6

Women's magazines are really mini catalogs which give tips on what's in fashion and what to buy. It's so full of ads it's sometimes difficult to find the articles. Just like some children's cartoons are really ads for toys. Never think of any of this stuff as helpful advice and you'll be fine. It's like a window shopping trip to the mall from the comfort of your living room. For advice read a self help book.

Answer 7

Most of the better women's magazines are pure 'comfort-blanket' stuff, the agony aunt, the astrology pages and the in-depth profile of a shallow celeb. Quantum mechanics it is not, but at least ALL the pages are 'women's pages' free of football, cricket, fast cars and nude pics - and pages about men. In the recent glossies, I thought the pages on getting a man were quite cynical - funny even. Is this what gets up men's noses when they read them, hoping for a snigger -finding Sloanes grovelling for husbands?

I was delighted with the link to women's alternative magazines and rejoined Ms - after all these years.

Answer 8

I've noticed this. You can't spit into a copy of Cosmo without hitting a word of sex advice. My magazine of choice is PINK, whose feminine title belies the best resources for career women I've ever seen.

Would anyone like to know why Ms.'s circulation dropped? Because after Gloria Steinem was replaced by Anne Summers as editor, it lost its focus on feminist issues and started running a regular fashion column and including articles about cookbooks and laundry. They should have kept it consistent.

Answer 9

I've been thinking about the same thing. I really want to create a magazine that talks about real issues, that deals with women and everything that happens to them and for them instead of having a half-way naked women on the cover don't get me wrong sexy is ok but is that all we can talk about nowadays.

Answer 10

I don't need a magazine to help me fullfill my man's desires! If he don't like what I got then he can walk!!! I like magazines that help me make my yard pretty and not to impress my neighbors but to make ME happy!! Or great recipes cause I like to cook granted I do like to entertain our friends. But they can walk too if they don't like what I got to give!! Actually I am not a bitter person, as far as all the silly magazines I don't bother..... If I read a mag for makeup tips it's for ME! (I do like things girly) but I do not give in to all that "make your man happy" stuff. My husband and I "get" each other and thats all that matters. And to answer your question there are some mags that do not talk about getting a man etc........Good Housekeeping, Real Simple, Martha Stewart Living, All You. ..Redbook.......and much more........