Purpose

To analyze the evolution of women’s magazine covers. Because of the breadth and variety of magazines over the years we are dividing our study into five key groups: teen, fashion, gossip, beauty, and lifestyle and health. Each category of magazine addresses different aspects, but can be evaluated using major themes including but not limited to the evolution of: the perception of women, supposed roles of women, technology and digital imaging, and reliance on celebrities and public figures. Advertisements, although not our main analytical focus, simultaneously reflect and instill specific societal values (i.e. age, race, gender, socioeconomic status).