Advertisements in Women Magazines A Sociological Outlook
In a sample of four of the most read women・s magazines, Family Circle, Good Housekeeping, Ladies・ Home Journal and Women・s Day, between sixty and seventy percent of the pages contained advertisements for a variety of products. More than half of the ads in these magazines are one-page in size, but the other ads vary in size from one-quarter to four full pages. ... This paper examines how different companies entice the women in today・s society to purchase their products with the use of colorful pictures, catchy phrases and how the women・s role is perceived in today・s society. Clothing and Accessories The clothing and accessory advertisements shown in Ladies・ Home Journal were either a full page or two-page advertisements. The ads that appear in these magazines entice women to purchase a variety of name brand clothing and accessories that are intended to make them look good. The self-esteem of women in today・s society, whether thin, average or full-figured, increases when they can feel great about themselves in the clothing and accessories that they wear and are complimented by others about their appearance. In the past, thin women were always featured in clothing advertisements, only recently have full-figured women been featured. In our society, thin women have always been associated with success and attractive. On the other hand, overweight women are associated with lazy and unattractive. The advertising companies are trying to change society・s view of full-figured women by making them appear as attractive as the thin models. One particular clothing ad advertises full-figured women・s lingerie. ... This ad invites full-figured women who want to feel sexy while wearing their great fitting lingerie to purchase the advertised products. Another ad advertises women・s accessories, sandals. ... ； This ad entices women who are looking forward to the spring and summer weather to purchase the advertised shoes. ... Food and Food storage products The food and food storage advertisements shown in Family Circle, Good Housekeeping and Women・s Day were either one-quarter page or two-page advertisements. The ads that appear in these magazines entice the busy women in today・s society to purchase a variety of food, including diet food. With the increasing number of women entering the work force and juggling their family・s extra curricular activities, today・s women need to be able to prepare a meal in a short period of time. ... Our culture still associates women in today・s society as the people prepare all the meals and take care of the family. Women are also weight conscious and always seem to be dieting to achieve that ideal weight.