March 01, 2008
Cosmo Quizzes
So the other day I was skimming through a Cosmo magazine, which along with many other women's/teen magazines contain quizzes such as What type of date are you?, Are you a trustworthy friend, etc. As you read through the quiz you can kind of start to guess what answers you can pick to get the results to the quiz that you want. For example in the quiz "Are you a good date" the question "How far in advance does a guy need to ask you out prior to a date?--At least a week, a couple days or a few hours before he picks you up?" This perpetuates the idea that there are certain "rules" dating that you must abide by. So do you think that these quizzes continue to support the stereotypes and "rules" that people believe because they are emphasized in our culture, such as these quizzes?
10 comments:
I would say yes. They are all over the place in pop-culture. To me, it's funny that so much emphasis is put on "the rules." When I start dating someone, my opinions of them have a lot more to do with their personality and social qualities than they have to do with dating rules. If I like a person, I am generally understanding if they don't contact me until the night we're going out or if they "forget" to open my door every once in a while. It's not a deal breaker unless they are completely socially inadequate. What do others of you think about this?
I think that these kinds of quizzes in magazines do fuel "the rules." There are so many people, especially women, that read magazines that are hosts to these types of quizzes. And like you said, you can kind of figure out where the answer is going. There usually seems to be the "appropriate" answer in the middle of the two extremes that leads to the acceptable result of the quiz. For example let's say that the quiz is: What is your flirting style? The result categories are Shy Violet, Fun Flirt, or Over the Top. The one in the middle of the two extremes usually commends a person on their ability to comprehend and utilize the socially accepted rules. If a person falls into the extremes, the article then gives guidance on how to become more towards the accepted middle, thus reinforcing and perpetuating "the rules."
Very interesting topic. Thanks!
I agree, I think that the magazines try say what people want to hear. I have to admit that sometimes I do take the quizzes so I can laugh at the results. For example, the other day I came across a magazine quiz that was entitled, "Are you too clingy." I thought that it was really ironic that the rules are so emphasized. One of the questions was even related to how many times do you talk to/call the person you are dating.
These quizzes are ridiculous. I think if we wanted to, we could formulate one ourselves. The quizzes are based entirely off of stereotype. I find it humorous when women are upset about how they did on their "Cosmo" quizzes. It's funny because all of the answers are so broad that you can answer them the way you want to get the outcome you want. Aside from the fashion I try to stay away from Cosmo. I don't know if it is just because I am getting older, but the more I look at it now the more I find myself rolling my eyes. I think Cosmo is entirely based on ideal stereotypes and aims its articles at young women, high school and younger. The sad thing is that these young women read Cosmo and think that this is the way they need to be and that these quizzes are factual. Going back to our class discussion a LONG time ago I find it interesting that the male equivalent to Cosmo is Maxim...and beyond that there really isn't much besides sports magazines or magazines with raunchy pictures. If men were given the same stereotypical ideals as women what would the world be like? Would there just be mass chaos?
There does seem to be an excess of quizzes that perpetuate the idea of rules for dating. These quizzes do seem to affec the way that people treat each other in a relationship. You won't call someone until the two days later because the quiz will say that you are clingy or you won't say I love you until the guy does.
As for the comment about men possibly having the same stereotypical ideals as women, they kind of do. They aren't published monthly in magazines like Cosmo, but they do have lists of "Man Laws" that frequently appear on the internet and in commercials such as those for Budweiser. It is a little bit funny because some of the "laws" tend to be a little over the top.
Here is a link to some of the "Man laws" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_Laws
The Cosmo "quiz" is all about stereotypes, that basically is all it entails. Sometimes the answers are so very unrealistic that they make me laugh. And you are right about the audience that it is trying to and does reach, really have you ever looked at the topics on the cover to "tease" you into reading their magazine?? They rotate on about a 3 month basis: sex, what she wants, what he wants, what to wear, what make up to buy, it seems to only change as the season changes.
But is Maxim really any different, about the topics it covers or about the stereotypes that are offered up? Then again I don't think either one of them should really be taken seriously, nor their content, occasionally yes, but on a regular basis, no.
I think these magazines certainly reinforce dating rules and stereotypes. I think some people are mature enough to read the magazine and laugh at some of the ridiculous rules and expectations while others buy into them much more. You have to assume that younger teenage girls are reading those magazines to get an idea of how to act around boys. It provides them with a general guideline to base their behavior on. So even if the material printed is completely over the top I’m sure it’s safe to assume someone buys into it. I think a lot of the rules are rather laughable. I mean I’m not going to dump a guy because he didn’t call me in a defined amount of time. If you really care about someone you can certainly overlook trivial rules, can't you?
Yes, I think these rules are pushed on us and they force the idea of "rules." However, I don't think that everyone pays attention to them. I have noticed a lot of those quiZzes relate in no way to my life and the answer I would choose isn't even a choice. These quizzes are unrealistic and I hope that women and girls notice this and don't believe everything they read.
Yes, I think these rules are pushed on us and they force the idea of "rules." However, I don't think that everyone pays attention to them. I have noticed a lot of those quiZzes relate in no way to my life and the answer I would choose isn't even a choice. These quizzes are unrealistic and I hope that women and girls notice this and don't believe everything they read.
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