Are magazines for young men likely to reinforce stereotypical, 'macho' and sexist attitudes in their readers?

... Are magazines for young men likely to reinforce stereotypical, 'macho' and sexist attitudes in their readers? The new breeds of magazines were aimed directly and overtly at a male readership, using masculinity as a marketing tool. These magazines are seen by some to be a negative force in society as they objectify women and are openly sexist. This essay will argue that the emergence of such titles is in response to a change in masculinity in society, reflected in both the possibility of producing such magazines and within the magazines themselves. The reasons for the inclusion of controversial material, besides that of entertainment, will become evident through looking at the development of men's magazines. This essay will then look both at the style and content of the magazines in terms of the construction of masculinity they express, 'macho' or otherwise, and the visual and rhetorical representations of women. Examples from two

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