Women’s Magazines: Today and Yesteryear

Magazines have come a long way in the last few decades, especially the feminine-based ones. Indeed, half a century ago, the very thought of having a magazine for women was at best, scorned at, and at worst, the creator of goose-bumps among anyone daring enough to bring up such a suggestion. Indeed, just 40 years ago when Gloria Steinem and some other women – viewed at the time as staunch feminists – began their magazine for women, by women, it was little short of revolutionary. But it was also welcomed by many; the first issue of ‘Ms.’ sold out completely in eight days.

Today, ‘Ms.’ is still going, and is not just seen as a magazine, but actually more of a movement. But it is no longer unique in its service for women. There is now a huge array of different titles offered for women – magazines that are written by both women and men – but which focus on subjects important to the female species. For those interested in getting good deals on these magazines, companies such as the National Magazine Exchange, iSubscribe, or MagShop-make very attractive subscription offers. So for women who want to enjoy their femininity and make the most of it with the help and encouragement of a magazine, they should check out the different titles available through a company like the National Magazine Exchange or Discount Mags.

At the time ‘Ms.’ was first launched, very few women were involved in the magazine process, from writing to publishing, even though the large majority of the readership was female. Thus the stories that were written were focused on what women should do to keep their men happy, including looking good and being a great cook. Steinem was received shockingly when she suggested a political edge to the stories in The New York Times Sunday Magazine and these jobs were left to the men.

It was only when the feminist organizations began to emerge that things changed, and magazines for women got a real makeover. Thus today the female magazine titles available through these magazine subscription companies have the women’s slant they require to make them contemporary and to appeal to what women really want.