Talk To Your Teen And Use This As Tool! Cosmo Girl Magazine
by jro26 - Written: Jul 29 '01
Product Rating:
Trendiness:
Pros: Can help teen girls understand different aspects of life and not feel alone
Cons: Some things are not appropriate for young teens and may send the wrong message
The Bottom Line: I recommend this with caution. Cosmo can be a great help, but there's stuff in this magazine that I wouldn't want my teen reading without having discussions with me.
CosmoGirl
About 2 years ago I received a postcard in the mail to try out a free issue of Cosmo Girl and filled it out and sent it in just out of curiosity. Well curiosity and the fact that it was free! :o) I used to get Cosmo Girl before I got a subscription to the regular Cosmo magazine. It has been about 5 or 6 months since I received my last Cosmo Girl magazine but I still check it out in stores as some things interest me. I can’t imagine having this magazine when I was 12 or 13 and don’t feel that kids that young should have free use of this magazine without parental consent and/or supervision.
How Many
You only get 6 issues per year instead of the normal 12. I am not sure the reasoning for this as the issues are not that big. But it is delivered bi-monthly so take that into consideration. If you are like me, you want something every month to read so I had many other magazine subscriptions along with this one.
How Much
You can get the 6 issues per year for under $8. This is much lower than the newsstand price which is about $3. So if you are going to get it, you might as well get the subscription since it’s about half price of the newsstand price buying issue by issue.
Contents
Each issue usually has a selection of “regulars” in the content section. Just a few are; cover stories, all about guys, fashion diva, beauty patrol, health kick, inside scoop, inner girl and features. Every issue I have read has letters to the magazine which is a spot where people have sent in emails or letters ranting and raving about the magazines good and back points and also any mistakes that they have made in past issues. The people from the magazine usually answer most of them either thanking them for the correction or apologizing for the mistake. Fashion tips are everywhere in the magazine but they seem a little too adult for young teens and are more in the age range for girls 15-17 or older. I suggest reading the comic strip in every issue that is about a girl named CG (gee, I wonder what that stands for...) and her life. Sometimes you will find a section that give cool links for websites to get free stuff or information which can be useful and fun.
Stickers
I have found no use for these but young teens probably could. Each issue usually contains stickers of the latest teen heartthrob. I guess you could stick them on your schoolbook covers, folders or binders to look at. Like I said, I do not have nor ever had any interest in these stickers.
How It Helps
Sometimes young girls just can’t ask Mom or Dad why they get butterflies in their tummy when they see Jimmy walking down the school hall or, more importantly, why parents do the things they do. I feel that Cosmo Girl does teach girls many good things about life and living and usually contains good advice. But there are many things that I would not want my young child to read.
We have all had embarrassing moments but when you are a teenage girl you sometimes feel that you are the only only who has dropped their lunch tray making tons of racket. Cosmo Girl lets girls write in with their most embarrassing moments and gives you teen some support that it happens all the time and really it can be something to laugh about.
Why It Isn’t For Young Girls
You will find information about pap smears, sex, boys and other things that are better heard from their parents than a magazine. I suggest that only mature teens read this. I would say at least 13 years old and they should have some idea of sexual education and what’s right and wrong before they open this magazine.
Think It’s Right For Your Teen?
I recommend reading the first issue or two with your child and let them open up to you with any questions. That way you can break the ice with them and also help them understand what this magazine is all about. Don’t let your teen believe everything said in a magazine is fact or that just because they say something is cool in this magazine that it is. Know where to draw the line and talk to your kids!
PriceTool.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources,
so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
