Say an alien came from another planet, her name was Mary. She picks up a magazine and flips through it to find out more about America. What does she learn from this magazine?
Let's use the magazine "Maxim" as the example.
The first thing Mary will see, is a half naked, airbrushed woman on it. The headlines would be along the line of, the hottest woman, then best body, and all about looks and sex. As Mary flips through the magazine, the articles are all about women, women, and more women. Every article has somthing to do with vanity, sex appeal, the prfect body, and advice for men. Mary must be thinking that a womans body and appearance are one of the most important things.
As Mary takes a closer look at all of this, she starts to notice how the models look, and dress. All the models are dressed in swimsuits, revealing clothing, and some of them aren't even dressed at all. They're all beautiful and sexy. By now, Mary must be thinking that American women should all be perfect looking, showing off their great bodies. If she were to go to any public place, it's unlikely she would ever find a woman to meet these standards.
Mary is now starting to come to the conclusion, that all Americans want is beautiful women, to look great, and sex. Based on how important this theme is in the magazine, Mary comes to the conclusion, it is VERY important in America.
I'm petty sure she is right.
Mary examines the women, wondering what it is that makes them feminine. What is it to be feminine? To be beautiful and sexual? To have a perfect body that gets you noticed? Flawless makeup? Without any of those, it could not be possible to be feminine, right?
If I were Mary, I'd be headed straight back to my home planet. Just from looking at that magazine, with no other knowledge of our culture, society, or anything else. Us American's must seem pretty shallow to her. Beauty, attraction, perfection.... or nothing.
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