Journal 9# Contemporary connections in magazines and fashion

After numerous campaigns that advocates for equal rights and say regardless of one’s gender position, the period of 1865-1914 greatly highlights the rising importance of women’s role in the society.  Women are finally seen as a powerful group that is armed with the means and ability to spend money, and subsequently influence the economic structure of the country. No longer are they sidelined and overshadowed by the masculine gender, and this is evident from the “emergence of a series of magazines specifically designed to appeal to [women’s] interest and tastes” (27).

This idea of recognizing women as a strong consumer group, who are willing to open their wallets and spend money, is a reality prevalent even today in the 21st century. At present, women are bombarded with a wide variety of goods. The number of women centered magazines are on the rise, such as Vogue and Glamour, with specific articles dedicated in educating women on to improve their health, wardrobe, life, and relationships. Similarly, a walk in the mall reveals the startling fact of how a good sixty percent of stores cater strictly to women’s fashion and needs. A brand that targets women, such as Victoria’s Secret, Forever 21 and Lancome, clearly acknowledges the spending power of the feminine gender. The success of such brands on a global platform, thus serves as evidence of women being the driving force behind the achievements of such industries.

However, one thing that is worth noting is the content of magazines that portray women is an extremely idealistic manner.  Photoshop are commonplace in today’s society and the definition of a woman’s beauty is increasingly defined by the narrowness of an individual’s waistline. While it is good that women are gaining recognition in terms of being valued alongside their male counterparts, we have to be wary of such unrealistic presentation of women. If such things were to persist and in turn affect the manner in which women view themselves, this will subvert all that has been achieved so far.  No longer will the male gender be the culprit for stepping on a woman’s ego- but rather, women themselves will in time to come, deflate their own self esteem.  

Women should thus not consume magazines on a literal sense and instead, learn how to decipher for themselves what is realistic. Women are valued only to the extent in which they regard their own self worth.