1940s Female image

As mentioned before, women during WWII became active in the workforce and this continued a bit after the war while soldiers were recovering. The image on this cover is very different from the images that appeared of women throughout the 1950s. This cover represented a lifestyle, for young girls to admire. The image once again represents women’s active role in society , by representing the lifestyle of a workingwomen. She stands next to her desk with confidence and poise. The background appears to represent an office environment. She is wearing a suit, which is a more practical alternative to the outfits women wore in images throughout the 1950’s . The point of her outfit wasn’t to emphasize her narrow waste , and stand out as simply a sex object for men to admire, but rather to be taken seriously as an active member of the workforce. Again this cover is able to promote a female figure which young girls can admire, because of her beauty and style and at the same time perhaps idealize her way of life.

I definitely think this cover is an example of how seventeen used to be and should be today. It is more admirable to promote a lifestyle for young girls to look up to , which demonstrates women’s active participation in society and their contribution to it. If we think about young girls reading seventeen magazine today, what kind of image is the media encouraging them to have of themselves or their future self’s. We should look to these covers and try and demonstrate to young girls today, that they are an important part of society and should be aware of societal changes. It seems as though magazine covers such as this one from the 1940’s, was more thought out and creative even without using any words other than the title.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/37511919@N06/3728383210/in/set-72157619128663295/