Click the cover to view the recent issues of Shine For Girls
Grace was doing a project at school about how girls are stereotyped in the media. She wrote to us at Shine For Girls and asked if she could interview us. We thought the interview was a great one and Grace has given us permission to share it with you all
Why did you decide to create a magazine that is different to other magazines for e.g. total girl or girlfriend that are aimed at younger girls?
We hope that young girls read our magazine and be brave. It is our aim that they invest energy into becoming the best version possible of their authentic selves. Coming first is great, being you is better.
What do you hope it will make young girls think after they read it?
We hope that after reading this magazine, young girls will see the world is made up of lots of girls with lots of different interests and all sorts of stories. We hope they see there is not one type of girl and they are inspired to give new things a go even if their friends aren’t doing it. We also hope we can show girls the value in celebrating and encouraging each other.
How and what do you hope to change by creating the magazine?
All three of us creators of Shine For Girls have daughters between 10 and 12. We found that there was a real lack of inspiring information for girls of this age group. We decided that we wanted to create a free online magazine for young girls that featured ‘everyday’ girls. Girls just like you, and just like our daughters. No airbrushing. No photoshoping. Just everyday girls doing everyday things and talking about deeper issues than hair and makeup.
How do you think the media influences the way young girls are stereotyped in the media?
We think the media is more focused on presenting fake images and playing on insecurities of people. That is how they sell products…..by making people believe they will have a happier life if they buy a certain type of car/watch/phone. At Shine For Girls we are mothers talking about how to make a young person healthy from the inside out.
Thank you Jo, Mel and Jo for answering the questions