How Girls' Life Magazine went from being the authority on self-esteem to a lesson in self-loathing
Do you remember reading Girls' Life magazine? I definitely do. It was the first magazine I ever really got into as a girl. I appreciated their emphasis on self-esteem and how they let readers know they were special, whether they were good at sports, writing, acting, whatever.
But it's been many years, and apparently GL has undergone some changes, but not necessarily for the better. While seasoned magazine readers are aware of the "better body now" trend that pops up in nearly every glossy, I found it surprising that it is so prevalent in a magazine directed at pre-teens and teens.
During that fragile time, I feel like young girls should be reading about how to love their bodies - and not how to "fix" or "change" them. The forums for girls are what have come under fire for not properly dealing with readers' questions.
Jezebel writer, "hortense," shed light on this reality this May:
"And please do not even get me started on the ridiculousness going on in the forums on the Girl's Life website, specifically in the "Healthy You Program" area, wherein girls ask a moderator a body related question, and the moderator responds. Here's an example:
MOD: ok my body is outta proportion. I'm skinny on top but my butt thighs and hips r huge. how do I even it out (aka: make my butt thighs and hips smaller)? Thanks<3 MOD
Here we have a young woman who is upset that her body is "outta proportion." She wants to make her butt, thighs, and hips smaller. What would be an appropriate response? Perhaps starting by explaining that her body isn't "outta proportion" but that she has a skewed view of what a "proportionate" body is due to the bs she's been fed by the media? Perhaps telling her to consider her overall health, to embrace her body, to work out to feel good, not just for her hips or thighs? Here's what the moderator offered as advice:
Make sure to work out everyday to tone those areas. - lauren
THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE, LAUREN. THIS IS NOT OKAY, GIRL'S LIFE MAGAZINE. How dare you give this girl such shitty information? "Work out more" is your only advice? Your only means of reaching this girl and providing healthy insight in to working out, being fit, and being comfortable in her own skin? This is supposed to be a magazine that encourages self-esteem?!"
So what do you think? As a sister, friend, mother, aunt, mentor - do you think GL should be better monitoring their sites? Do you think a magazine directed at such an age group should be focusing on fitness to be thin or healthy activity? Or do you think the whole thing is blown out of proportion?
Read the rest on http://jezebel.com/5257583/girls-life-magazine-repeat-body-image-offenders
By Jessica Ireland
 Jessica Ireland | |
| About the author: | |
Jessica Ireland is a “spark.” After receiving that nickname from a past co-worker, her electrifying passion and determination to produce creative ideas that people can relate to still remains an important part of her work today. She has been published in Vervegirl and B’zone magazines, The London Free Press, Prospere Magazine, and The Windsor Star. She’s currently involved in the communication and PR industry, and maintains a blog http://magazineobsessed.vox.com about the state of magazines today. She also has her eyes on new marketing campaigns, branding, social media and all things popular culture. Jessica believes style transcends trends, and that the good china should be used everyday. | |
| Read More >> | |
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