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Essence and Cosmo are two popular women’s magazine giving advice on sex and

women’s sexual freedom. Despite the two having a common ground, they are pre-defined by

their many differences. Essence is known to have a Black female audience, while on the other

hand, Cosmo has predominantly White female audience. Reviere and Byerly discussion showed

that while both magazines amplified women's right to attain sexual pleasure and to seek for what

satisfies their urge or want, Essence aligns its opinion with women's liberation by advocating

women's right to say no to men's ill-mannered sexual behavior and to be their own persons.

Essence emphasizes women to be independent and exhibit selfish sexual behaviours. By contrast,

Cosmo advised women to be diverse and innovative in their romance with men. It further urges

women to be more flexible and keep their men sexually excited.

They differ in two ways. Essence readers have a considerably

Higher median income than Cosmo readers—$62,000 vs. $27,000 (Cosmopolitan 2011; Essence
2011). The lower income level among Cosmo readers, however, reflects in part a large number of
college-aged readers (with student incomes lower than women fully employed)
They differ in two ways. Essence readershave a considerably
higher median income than Cosmo readers—$62,000 vs. $27,000 (Cosmopolitan 2011; Essence
2011). The lower income level among Cosmo readers, however, reflects in part a large number of
college-aged readers (with student incomes lower than women fully employed)
They differ in two ways. Essence readershave a considerably
higher median income than Cosmo readers—$62,000 vs. $27,000 (Cosmopolitan 2011; Essence
2011). The lower income level among Cosmo readers, however, reflects in part a large number of
college-aged readers (with student incomes lower than women fully employed)
They differ in two ways. Essence readershave a considerably
higher median income than Cosmo readers—$62,000 vs. $27,000 (Cosmopolitan 2011; Essence
2011). The lower income level among Cosmo readers, however, reflects in part a large number of
college-aged readers (with student incomes lower than women fully employed
They differ in two ways. Essence readershave a considerably
higher median income than Cosmo readers—$62,000 vs. $27,000 (Cosmopolitan 2011; Essence
2011). The lower income level among Cosmo readers, however, reflects in part a large number of
college-aged readers (with student incomes lower than women fully employed)
They differ in two ways. Essence readershave a considerably
higher median income than Cosmo readers—$62,000 vs. $27,000 (Cosmopolitan 2011; Essence
2011). The lower income level among Cosmo readers, however, reflects in part a large number of
college-aged readers (with student incomes lower than women fully employed)
They differ in two ways. Essence readershave a considerably
higher median income than Cosmo readers—$62,000 vs. $27,000 (Cosmopolitan 2011; Essence
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2011). The lower income level among Cosmo readers, however, reflects in part a large number of
college-aged readers (with student incomes lower than women fully employed)
The difference of the two can also be based on a heterosexual female audience,

comprising of college students and gainfully employed women. The two magazines also differ in

the fact that, Essence readers have considerably a higher median income of $62,000, as

compared to $27,000 of the Cosmo readers. Large number of Cosmo readers constitutes of

college-aged readers, thus reflecting the low income levels as compared to fully employed

women who prefer essence.

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between sex and constructions of

womanhood, Settles, Pratt-Hyatt and Buchanan (2008) compared Black and White
women’s perceptions of womanhood and found that historically, race has been a predictor
of how women are perceived by others, treated by others, and perceived by themselves
The dissimilarities between Essence and Cosmo can be traced back to the historical

women’s perception of womanhood. Race has played a role in how women are perceived and

treated by others as well as how they perceive themselves. White women continue to be seen in

terms of domestic ideals and as objects of men’s sexual desire. In contrast, stereotypes of Black

women (e.g., Jezebel, Mammy) tend to present Black women as hypersexual yet hypo feminine,

which further reinforces the perception that White women are the norm. (Settles, Pratt-Hyatt &

Buchanan 2008). The societal differentiated expectation of the black and white womanhood has

had a hand in the dissimilarities of the Essence and Cosmo female magazines.

Early in the 18th century, the white women were defined with emphasis on modesty and

purity. By contrast, the black women were defined as being sexual. The stratification of the black

and white women can be tied to these historic perception differences of the two. Even though

these notions have been questioned by modern feminists, there have been variations in agreeing

on a stance.
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Stigma is a strong feeling of being disliked or being shown disapproval by the society

due to their common perception about something. Romance novel stigma is exhibiting prejudice

towards romance novels. Romance novels have faced stigma for being termed to be feministic.

In order for a novel to be a romance, it must have a central love story and it must have a happy

ending. The stigmas attached to romance novels hasn’t changed that is because the genre is

written by women, for women and about women. ( Woodwiss, 1972)

Romance novels have also faced much misogyny from the society. Misogyny is refers to

hatred towards female. Romance novels are mostly authored by females. In romance novels

fictions, authors have always identified women to be victims of most love cycles. On the other

hand, they have created men to be villains of the romance story. This has had a resultant effect of

women being shown some misogyny for always being the gender to be sympathized with, by the

author, as well as the readers. This is a huge expression of biasness, because men get to be

victims of love stories just as much as women.

Romance novels have also shown biasness relating to the gender that is typically

acceptable for orchestrating romance. The female gender has been demeaned to not investing in

romance. However In reality, Irrespective of being a male or female or sexual orientation every

gender cares about romance, in one way or another. Romance is a part of life. The idea of

looking down on a group of people just because they somehow enjoy reading about two people

finding love, (or hey, watching it), is not just absurd, it’s reductive. ( Radway 1991). This

perception has manifested itself in the society because of the criticism that romance novel

authors have brought to be thought of about the women.

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The stigma against romance novels due to their biased characterization towards women –

and romance in general – is wrong, and the only possible way to start breaking through is to start

being proud and give women credit for being romantic aggressive as much as men are said to be

( Khan, L 2015). Both genders should be seen and explained in fiction romance novels as being

equals in their romantic quest for pleasure. Romance serves a very important part in a humans

life, and authors should identify it as being a basic need that any gender can demand at their

comfort without being stigmatized or criticized.

With romance novel fictions equalizing both genders in regard to their need for romance,

this old-aged stigma towards women will reduce with a great margin. Additionally, romance

novel authors should have a balanced blame in a romance story hiccups and stop centralizing

women to be the victims of every romance fiction. In reality, any gender is subject to romance

shortcomings as much as the other. Authors should not create the male gender to be villain of all

time in every romance story break up.

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REFERENCES

Woodwiss, K. (1972). The flame and the flower, New York, NY: Avon

Khan, L. (2015). Love between the covers. Watertown, MA: Blueberry Hill Productions.

Regis, P. (2004). A natural history of the romance novels, Philadelphia, P.A: University of

Pennsylvania Press