If fashion magazines are so degrading and treat women like objects, why do you buy them?

Question

Honest question. I don't buy any fashion magazines or anything like that, but a while ago I took a feminist-ish class that analyzed how women are presented in pop culture.

The stuff in the magazines was _disgusting_. All the women had makeup that, to me, just looked like bruises, and one woman was hung from the ceiling like a chandelier.

But what was even more disgusting to me was that all these girls were alternating between, "That's so wrong," and, "This is my favorite magazine!"

Power of the consumer, people. The industry gives you what you want, and you tell them by buying that crap and watching MTV.

You can't blame everything on 'societal pressure' either, because there's always someone else who agrees with you and you're ultimately the one forking over the cash and taking the thing home.

Stop buying Hooker magazine and miniskirts, and I guarantee you they will disappear.

Answer 1

There exist a small group of men who actually appreciate that type of thing. And I don't mean being objectifying women.

Some of us appreciate women who "doll" themselves up. I personally, love it when my wife does that. It has nothing to do with demeaning her or having less respect for her. It's more about what we prefer.

I think if society was more bilateral (with regard to the sexes), then we would see men who read those kinds of magazines and subscribed women's preferences too.

The key here is to do what you want to and what makes you feel good. I personally used to like attention from women, now I do from my wife. If something I wear or something I do to my hair makes her more attracted to me, then I'll do it.

Unfortunately, too many women go overboard with that concept. The idea is to be attractive to yourself, then the actractee.

Showing your goodies because you think it's the only way to get attention is just wrong. But if you like dressing skanky because of the thrill. Because your husband/boyfriend or the type of guy you're looking for likes that, then go for it.

Answer 2

Some women like that style regardless of society etc. Feminism should be about accepting women regardless of their choices. Noone is forcing those women to wear makeup or miniskirts. I love wearing makeup, doing my hair, dressing up for my husband etc.. because it makes me feel different and sexy. I also understand that I don't have to do ANY of that and still be a valuable person. There's no chauvenistic man behind me whispering in my ear that I'm a horrible person if i don't fit society's image.
I buy those magazines because I like them. I also like Parenting Magazine, Martha Stewart Living and various other magazines. Does that mean I follow every tip in the parenting magazine or decorate my house like Martha? No. I can read a magazine and realize it's just paper in my hands. I personally love the ads in magazines, unless the models look unhealthy. That doesn't mean I'm going to model myself after them. Give women SOME credit. We're not all a bunch of weak willed pansies who swoon over MTV, even if we DO watch it.
Personally, I find that once women are of an age where they can make their own choice they can do what they want, dress in designer clothes, wear miniskirts, dye their hair, wear makeup or hang from a chandelier, it's still their choice. They could just as easily decide to wear pants, no bra and refuse to shave, and that would be fine too.
Women in general judge each other too harshly both ways. We need to either start accepting each other for who we are or at LEAST respect their choices.

Answer 3

I agree. And its true these women choose to do this but I dont wanna turn the channel to see some ladies or what the call bitches and there *** and **** hanging out everywhere. Its everywhere, not just music videos. Its like you cant even watch a movie without girls taking there tops off (sometimes for no reason). And its strange how its ok to see women naked all over the place but you never see a man. Maybe a butt now and then. Its ridiculous.

Answer 4

I don't buy many magazines any more, but in the past I bought Utne Reader or Mother Jones or Ms. I haven't bought a fashion magazine, that I can remember. The only time I've read them was in the doctor's office, and it's always a shock to find out how shallow and vapid they are!

Answer 5

I flip through Vogue just to see what kind of sexist ads they have. The last one I saw was for D&G, and it looked like the woman was about to be gang-raped. That one ended up in the "No Comment" section of the next month's issue of Ms., thankfully.

Other than that, I ignore fashion magazines unless there's absolutely nothing else to read. My favourite magazine is PINK. (Don't let the title fool you — it's a women's business magazine.) I read Ms. whenever I find it. I also enjoy Maclean's (Canadian newsmagazine), or Time and Newsweek when that's unavailable. I read Us Weekly in case there's a lull in the conversation, which can easily be filled up by celebrity gossip.

Answer 6

I wish the women who judge themselves based on these magazines would learn to be satisfied with themselves. At least in the areas of body image. We should all work to improve ourselves but I for one work on my health and mental well being far more than I do on my body image. I am a balding fat guy and I am fine with that. My wife loves me and likes to have relations so I feel that worrying about body image is a waste of time. I do need to lose some weight but I need to do that for health reasons diabetes runs in my family. I would like to see magazines with curvy models that look happy with themselves like Queen Latifah. Yes men look at pretty women but that doesn't mean we don't value a curvy woman who is happy and content. And sadly women are far crueler to other women than men are. Feminists won't tell you that though it is always somehow a man's fault.

Answer 7

I buy magazines, only if the content appeals to me. If it has something about a clothing style I like for eg., I'll buy it, if *I* like it.

In addition, not everyone is going to be offended by the same things. You can't just wipe out something because people say they're offended.

Answer 8

The only magazine I buy is Oxygen - it's a women's weight lifting/fitness/figure magazine. I like it because it features women who have had kids, are over 40 etc., and they look GREAT.

Answer 9

I buy Bust. Thats it. I dont want to finance something I dont believe in just because I theoretically like some of the clothing inside.

Answer 10

Sorry if this offends anyone here but I think fashion magazines are really stupid (for a variety of reasons.) Everyone's entitled though to their own opinions.

I do have subscriptions to "Discover", "Scientific American", "Psychology Today", "Astronomy", and "Time." These are far more intellectually stimulating to me.