This magazine cover for “Boys life” defeats the idea of stereotypes for men. The cover challenges society in a way in which men are wearing makeup and wearing a product that is stereotypically designed for men. The magazine also challenges the role of masculinity in society and how people still believe “make-up is just for women” but shown clearly by Jeffree Star and Manny Mua, it isn’t. The question on the magazine “Can you be the next Covergirl?” is also going against society in the way in which men can also be the Covergirl and it is not only for women. The pink background and Jeffree’s pink hair also symbolises the feminity that is being portrayed by males. I chose Jeffree Star and Manny Mua because they are both males who are beauty influences. This is a lifestyle which usually women would take an interest in.  

The version of the boys life magazine i made opposes masculine stereotype, this stereotype shows boys only enjoying action or dangerous situations. I choose a school boy as the main focus of my magazine to show that boys can also enjoy work and school. Showing boys how to enjoy and make the most of school, not only does this break the stereotype but it allows boys to have a successful future. I have also chosen a young impressionable boy to oppose the stereotype of men having to be strong and powerful.

In my Boys Life magazine I wanted to create a positive image that could motivate and influence readers. I decided to use the Google Science Fair winner as my background because it shows how young inventors can be successful and resolve current world problems such as climate change, It can also set an example for readers to follow. It also challenges male stereotypes as it focuses more on studying and science rather than adventures and activities. I then added a subtitle that said “Work Hard”, this was implemented to try and get readers to strive to achieve their goals and targets inside and outside school.

I chose a selection of ‘nerd ‘ and school skills which are useful in the real world. This challenges the stereotype of a masculine boy with the usual imagery of adventure, for a more realistic view that not all boys are in to hiking and sport because many are rather into video games and books. I chose to apply to skills such as social and interview skills which are useful for people who want to do well in jobs rather than how to get a girlfriend. Normally, most societies have a dominant ideology of the rules of men and boys in society, so this mean that boys should be interested in football, girls and cars. However lots of boys aren’t into all these things and that can be looked down upon by society, so this alternate magazine targets those who don’t fit into the societal norms. Also in normal boys’ life magazines, the character is shown in a medium size with context of doing an activity, my cover shows a close up of someones back and head as it focuses on someone as a person, not what someone does.

With my personal attempt at making a Boys’ life magazine, I wanted to oppose the stereotype of a Males exploring and doing dangerous activities by including a Female having fun and doing an extreme sports. This may shock people because you expect a man to be surfing, and not a Female.

I chose the words “Wild”, “free” and “you” because of the freedom and excitement to show and support of opposing to dominant ideology in the sense that, people picture Females staying home, out of danger and doing more practical activities and tasks. The word “you” implies that anyone can do anything and is designed to make the reader feel included and apart of the movement and targeted to feel welcome and motivated. “Free” can also show that you have no limits and you can do anything you want to do and be who you want to be.