Mom Slams Kids' Magazine Editors After Exposing a Seriously Sexist Issue
Shoshanna Keats-Jaskoll is a business owner and mother of five, and after seeing these two magazine covers, she's spoken out about a seriously sexist problem seen in the differing magazines. She wrote this letter to five editors of the Girls' Life magazine, which is written for girls ages 10-16, slamming the message they've portrayed on their cover.
"Your cover has a lovely young lady with a full face of makeup and you invite your readers to 'steal her secrets'.
The BOYS' LIFE cover has in bold letters: EXPLORE YOUR FUTURE surrounded by all kinds of awesome gear for different professions - doctor, explorer, pilot, chemist, engineer, etc. subheading -- HERE'S HOW TO BE WHAT YOU WANT TO BE.
Could there possibly be two more divergent messages?"
As a mother of two girls and three boys, Keats-Jaskoll is infuriated with the magazine for thinking young girls only care about their first kiss, fashion, and how to "slay on the first day." She questioned what the editors want to teach their readers, pointing out the incredibly contrasting covers.
"You are women. Working, professional women. Is this the message you are proud of? Is this why you became publishers, writers, graphic designers? To tell girls they are the sum of their fashion, makeup and hair?
I know that you are only one of many many magazines that contribute to this culture but I believe you can be part of changing all that is wrong here.
You CAN fight the tide of objectification of girls.
You CAN create covers and stories that treat girls as more than hair, lips and kisses.Until you do, I guess I'll sign us up to BOYS LIFE because the quiz I want for my girls isn't 'Am I ready for a BF' it's 'What Do I Want To Be'."
While the two publications are not affiliated with one another, Keats-Jaskoll was not going to stay quiet about the blatantly different messages the magazines portray. Do you agree with her?