You can nearly picture the editorial meeting in which the folks at Boys’ Life landed on the career paths of “Artist” and “Chef” to be wedged next to “Astronaut” and “Firefighter”.
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The depressing comparison between the two magazines came to light when a furious mother posted a picture of them on Facebook, along with a letter to the Girls’ Life editorial team. Is this the message you are proud of? Is this why you became publishers, writers, graphic designers? And now Amy Schumer and Blake Lively have joined their ranks.
If you compare the magazine covers of Girls’ Life and Boys’ Life, you’ll most likely find a host of differences: The former focuses on beauty tips and fashion advice while the latter exclusively advertises tips on career exploration.
Yesterday (Sept. 20), Amy Schumer took to Instagram to share her thoughts on sexist magazine covers.
She went on to call out the magazine’s harmful message to girls in greater detail. @amyschumer I second that emotion. You CAN fight the tide of objectification of girls.
But Keats-Jaskoll, in her Facebook post, reminds the magazine’s editors of their power to change widespread perceptions of girls. Ladies, let’s not let this happen anymore… However, we do know this: It is the responsibility of the media, along with celebrities like Schumer, Holmes and Lively (who often appear on the covers of magazines meant for readers who value both substance and style…and tabloids that don’t) to fill the minds of future generations with inspiration, not inanity.
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The magazine’s founding editor Karen Bokran responded to the backlash, telling Refinery29: “Are we more than lip gloss and clothes?” Katherine Young, a graphic artist, has since reimagined a more appropriate cover for young girls. Of course. It’s OK to like lip gloss or be interested in fashion… “And it’s probably beside the point that all of the haters who have contacted me admit they have never actually read ANY issue of Girls’ Life, no less the one being slammed (as one snarkily said “let me guess, you have all sorts of empowering articles on the inside.’ Well m’am, yes)”.
