Introduction
I reviewed the May issue of Seventeen magazine. The obvious demographic for the magazine is girls in their mid to late teens, however I would broaden the targeted age group to 13 to 20. This ranges from girls preparing to enter the world of dating and make-up to girls beginning college and maintaining long-term relationships. The magazine features a colorful cover with a picture of actress Amanda Bynes. Just from the cover and headlines I think this magazine delivers general dating and beauty types for high school girls. The magazine is divided into four main sections: fashion, make-up/beauty, health/fitness, and dating. All of the sections offer ways to increase one’s attractiveness and sex appeal.
Main text
The most popular topics in this issue of Seventeen are boys, fashion, and appearance.
The entire dating section is dedicated to ideas on how to flirt. It also debunks dating myths, a common magazine fixture, in which they point out dating tips of old that no longer work. Another traditional magazine article is the “what are guys really thinking” story, here called “Inside the Secret World of Guys” which provides girls with insight into what guys are thinking. The fashion section gives teens suggestions on how to emphasize their shape and recycle ideas from the runway or even their boyfriend’s closet.
A predominant theme in the fashion section of this and almost every issue of teen girls’ magazines are tips for readers to save money. The magazine offers chances to win free merchandise, places to find extra cheap shoes and clothing, and ways to utilize the same article of clothing in numerous ways.
The make-up section offers make-over and hair ideas to help girls conceal their perceived imperfections.
This section employs a typical magazine concept of surveying products and offering suggestions, which they do for lip-glosses as well as fragrances. In general, articles focus on how to help readers build dating confidence with flirting tips and insight into the mental tendencies of the opposite sex. The focus on boys is evident even in the fitness and health section. This section offers sex advice and ways to diet and exercise that all contribute to sex appeal (like four moves to get toned legs) which denotes the fact that most readers are looking for help attracting and connecting with the opposite sex. These items are definitely targeted at female readers. Seventeen recognizes the fact that girls, more than boys of this age, are interested in receiving advice on improving appearance whereas boys might be more interested in reading about fitness or sports. Though the fitness section can be utilized by any gender the images and ideas are generally suited to a female readership. Also the advertisements and images are targeted towards girls because they depict beautiful, happy-looking women advertising make-up products and clothing lines.
I do not think that Seventeen seeks to target a particular ethnic group because they stand to benefit from as wide an appeal as possible, since teen girls of any color are interested in reading magazines like this these days. However, the cover photo as well as many of the ads and article pictures feature white models, so I imagine that minority groups might sense that the magazine is not targeted towards them because they do not see as many models on the pages that look like themselves. I think Seventeen magazine intends to deliver well-meaning advice to girls learning to become acquainted with the high school and young adult world. However, the over-exposure to “perfect” celebrities, make-up ideas and fashion advice may send more detrimental signals.
I think that teen readers, especially females, are increasingly vulnerable to the type of social direction that these magazines provide, and excessive articles about how to hide blemishes or get a new fashion style may contribute to their sense of insecurity. Still, it is obvious that Seventeen makes an effort to counteract the pressures and threats to self-esteem that teenage girls endure in today’s world. Articles suggest finding style and solutions that are suited to one’s personality like dressing to fit your own shape or finding the make-up shades that fit your character. Also, sections dedicated to sex advice usually send teens the message that they should not be susceptible to peer pressure or pressure from a boyfriend, and that sexual, physical, emotional, and mental health takes priority over everything else. In addition, this issue included a contest in which participants could win money for college, which shows that the magazine, which targets high schoolers, is promoting the idea of higher education.
Conclusion
Overall I think that the information provided by Seventeen is useful, if not in its practical than its promotion of self-esteem and self-respect. The negative aspect of it is that Seventeen reflects the issues that teens are dealing with—sex, self-image, money, and more—which could be too much for such young girls. Seventeen shows us the interplay between healthy self-image and the influence of media on teens. The magazine emphasizes that teens need guidance and advice to make decisions that are right for them and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Works Cited
Seventeen magazine, May 2008. Hearst Communications: New York.