Reading Cosmo, a Lot Like Time Travel
This isn’t national pick on Cosmo week, however Elizabeth’s recent comments about the magazine reminded me of a 1955 Housekeeping Monthly article. You can read it in its entirety here, but essentially it provides tips for women whose husbands are about to return from work. It renders such advice as,”Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him,” and “Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh looking.” The knee jerk reaction to this is of clear opposition because it’s obvious that the central focus of the article is to please a man, and that the woman is just a utility in accomplishing this goal. Most anyone who reads this article finds it appalling and laughable. Now consider these recent Cosmo topics from “The Hot List” on their website.
- 30 Things to Do with a Naked Man
- What Men Still Don’t Understand About Women
- What His Body Language Is Telling You
- The Beauty Product That Changed My Life
- Sexy Hair Secrets
The topics aren’t always overtly pointing to the ways a woman can please her man (some are, just visit their website), but a man is still at the core of each topic. The first three topics on the list are trying to offer insight into relationships, upholding the value that women should always be relationship conscious. Regardless if the focus has shifted somewhat toward what pleases a woman, it is clear these articles maintain that a healthy relationship creates happiness above most other things. It submits the idea that a woman should focus most of her energy toward either finding a partner or keeping the one she’s got happy. In the second two topics the issue of beauty comes up. You could argue that women often focus on beauty because it makes them feel strong and confident, however attracting male attention makes up a huge part of this. The point is, even today many women’s magazines still point the compass toward relationships, whether they camouflage it or not. They prey on a woman’s desire to have a happy relationship, turning it into a multi-million dollar beauty advertising industry and a cheap go-to for bogus dating and sex advice. I may not be saying anything new, but then again, neither is Cosmo.