The Teenage Magazine Arbitration Panel

The 'dream ticket': parody or promise?

What also differentiates the newer magazines from the old breed is a jokey, more ironic tone, which pokes fun at the way sex is used to draw readers in. The 'dream ticket' is still offered, (though finding the man of one's dreams has been replaced to some extent for the more independent current generation of readers). Yet the touch of parody and the refusal of female naiveté creates opportunities for a more critical approach on the part of the reader. Teenage magazines are assumed to be read by a new and cleverer breed of cultural consumers, altogether more knowing, more aware of sexual politics, and more 'equal' in their relationships with men.

The evidence from readership surveys is that older teenage women, at least, read the magazines tongue in cheek, are aware of the sexist nature of magazines and are more resistant to what they see as stereotyping of girls (Thompson, 1992). Yet the degree to which readers are capable of reading reflexively and critically is likely to be related to age, and possibly also to class and educational level. Less mature readers are have been found to be more susceptible to influence (Mitchell, 1996).

"You can't believe some of the things that you get in J17, you can't believe that you took them seriously once."
Bliss Reader 14 -15

The fact is that the magazines are read by younger readers than is stated and there is evidence that they may take the views and behaviours of those in the magazines at face value:

"It shows you what other girls go for, girls who are your age and older. I like to know what other people think because you can compare it with what you think."

TMAP Research - Role of Teen Magazines in the Sexual Health of Young People

The Luff Bill

Age rating

Editorial balance

Encouraging early activity

'Herding' instinct

Is early sexual activity bad?

Arguements for delaying intercourse

Contraception

Educational role of magazines

Preferred sources of information



			The 'dream ticket': parody or promise? What also differentiates the newer magazines from the old breed is a jokey, more ironic tone, which pokes fun at the way sex is used to draw readers in. The 'dream ticket' is still offered, (though finding the man of one's dreams has been replaced to some extent for the more independent current generation of readers). Yet the touch of parody and the refusal of female naiveté creates opportunities for a more critical approach on the part of the reader. Teenage magazines are assumed to be read by a new and cleverer breed of cultural consumers, altogether more knowing, more aware of sexual politics, and more 'equal' in their relationships with men. The evidence from readership surveys is that older teenage women, at least, read the magazines tongue in cheek, are aware of the sexist nature of magazines and are more resistant to what they see as stereotyping of girls (Thompson, 1992). Yet the degree to which readers are capable of reading reflexively and critically is likely to be related to age, and possibly also to class and educational level. Less mature readers are have been found to be more susceptible to influence (Mitchell, 1996). "You can't believe some of the things that you get in J17, you can't believe that you took them seriously once." Bliss Reader 14 -15 The fact is that the magazines are read by younger readers than is stated and there is evidence that they may take the views and behaviours of those in the magazines at face value: "It shows you what other girls go for, girls who are your age and older. I like to know what other people think because you can compare it with what you think."
	Home News Position statement How to complain Adjudications Annual reports Events Guidelines Research TMAP Research - Role of Teen Magazines in the Sexual Health of Young People The Luff Bill Age rating Editorial balance Encouraging early activity 'Herding' instinct Is early sexual activity bad? Arguements for delaying intercourse Contraception Educational role of magazines Preferred sources of information Empowerment of women The 'dream' ticket Safer sex Conclusions The panel Useful links
	Contact: Kerry Neilson , TMAP secretariat, kerry.neilson@ppa.co.uk, 0207 400 7520

	Teenage Magazine Arbitration Panel (TMAP) 28 Kingsway London WC2B 6JR tel: 0207 400 7520 - fax: 020 7404 4167 - email: kerry.neilson@ppa.co.uk - web: www.tmap.org.uk - Terms and conditions site contact: Kerry Neilson - this site is audited by ABC Electronic -