I first got GL last year as a 13th birthday gift. As a homeschooler for the past few years, I find it most interesting for its unwittingly revealing information about the life of the "average" girl today.
One of the best examples is the magazine's handling of boys. Their usual topics (such as kissing, understanding your "BF", and "getting the guy") are not healthy for most 10-year-old girls to be spending their time thinking about. For 13 and up, it may be interesting and helpful. However, it deserves a caution for parents concerned about this.
Another common topic is fashion. While I did not find the clothing objectionable (although very expensive!), the makeup is far overdone. They dedicate at least a page per issue on all things makeup, be it eyeshadow or lip gloss or eyeliner or even foundation. The use of eyeshadow on the models is ridiculous - they can best be compared to traffic lights.
The focus on celebrities is maddening. Every issue has yet another "star" on it, and the magazine's favorite myth is "Celebrities: They're Just Like You!" Talented people can be great role models. However, they often have to deal with different issues and lead different lives. Why not feature more "wholesome" role models?
The last complaint is their frequent use of "teen speak". The entire thing is barely decipherable to my esteemed mother. For me, it was difficult at first - rather like learning another language. Their use of BF for boyfriend, BFF/bestie for best friend, and 'rent for parent barely is the tip of the iceberg. It does considerably abate once one leaves the Fashion section, after which they adopt a less perky and annoying tone.
I do commend GL for its handling of tough topics. I never got one about teen pregnancy, but it did have important subjects such as depression, relationship abuse, and drug abuse. Appropriate for 10-year-olds? Probably not. But for the 13-and-up crowd, it's crucial stuff.
Also good is their "Healthy You" program. It doesn't cover losing weight, but just staying in shape and eating healthy. This isn't as good for younger girls, but good habits are never too early.
BOTTOM LINE: Girls' Life really depends on your outlook on parenting and what is healthy for your daughter. Many parents may find that 10-and-up is more along the lines of 13-and-up. I encourage prospective subscribers to take a look at the website: [...]. It offers a lot of insight on the paper-and-ink form. I hope Girls' Life can improve and become a more healthy and helpful source for many girls.Get more detail about Girls' Life Magazine.
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