Social Class in Popular Medua Essay Example

appealing to a wealthier clientele. The brand choices of each magazine serve as strong indicators of social class, with the advertisements designed to resonate with their corresponding target audiences. Cosmo's audience, for example, mainly comprises working-class women in their twenties and thirties.

It can be inferred that Cosmo readers belong to a lower economic status as compared to GQ readers based on the advertisements present in both magazines. The majority of individuals in this class cannot afford high-end brands like Guess - which are the primary advertisements in GQ. The shoe and alcohol advertisements in Cosmo consist of Nike athletic shoes and Vodka, respectively. GQ showcases ads for Cole Haan footwear and Jameson whiskey.

The differences between the ads featured in Cosmo and GQ lie not in the brands being advertised, but in the ads themselves. Cosmo's ad campaign includes a woman jogging and a humorous take on gender stereotypes, both targeting their intended audience effectively - the former by creating a relatable scenario while the latter uses humor to build empathy. GQ, on the other hand, presents detailed product profiles for items like shoes and whiskey, using clear imagery and concise statements to appeal to their target market. Both magazines rely on stereotypical assumptions in order to cater to their respective demographics.

Both Cosmo and GQ make assumptions about their readers based on their advertising strategies. Cosmo assumes that relatable and humorous ads are more effective with readers because they are easier to comprehend, implying that lower class readers are not as intelligent as those in higher classes. On the other hand, GQ assumes that their readers are above using humor and everyday activities

to explain products to lower class individuals, indicating that higher class readers are not only more intelligent, but also more sophisticated.

The media wields significant influence over individuals through its representation of societal class distinctions. These distinctions, which permeate our daily choices such as clothing, drinks, and reading materials, are largely shaped by false assumptions and stereotypes attached to the concept of class in society.

Despite the constant presence of class distinctions, it is not difficult to recognize the actual social classes in America if we examine the media's biased portrayal of reality. By rejecting the media's perspective and thinking for ourselves, we can determine our own definition of social class.