Summary literature Perfect Self(ie)
Penny Tinkler (2014) – ‘Are You Really Living?’ If Not, ‘Get With It!’ ..........................................2
Key concepts ........................................................................................................................................2
Short summary of the text ....................................................................................................................3
Summary of the text .............................................................................................................................4
Introduction......................................................................................................................................4
Magazines for young single women ................................................................................................5
Identities – the teenage self..............................................................................................................6
Lifestyle ...........................................................................................................................................9
Conclusion .....................................................................................................................................14
, Penny Tinkler (2014) – ‘Are You Really Living?’ If Not, ‘Get With It!’
Penny Tinkler (2014) ‘Are You Really Living?’ If Not, ‘Get With It!’ The Teenage Self and
Lifestyle in Young Women’s Magazines, Britain 1957–70, Cultural and Social History, 11:4,
597-619.
Key concepts
New Ideal of Teenage Lifestyle (Late 1950s-1960s):
- During this period, young women’s magazines introduced a transformative ideal for
teenage girls.
Core Features of the Ideal:
- Being Oneself: Encouraged girls to express their individuality.
- Having Fun: Promoted enjoyment and fulfillment in life.
- Embracing Independence: Focused on self-reliance and freedom.
- Gaining Diverse Experiences: Encouraged exploration and learning.
- Seizing Opportunities (Work and Travel): Advocated for career and adventure.
Magazine Endorsement:
- Teen magazines enthusiastically promoted this ideal, emphasizing self-expression, self-
development, and the realization of one’s potential.
Tensions and Challenges:
- Fluid vs. Fixed Self: The emerging self was portrayed as both adaptable and stable.
- Sexual Expectations: Magazines often warned against pre-marital sex, complicating the
pursuit of the ideal.
- Marriage’s Impact: Women faced difficulties in maintaining the ideal lifestyle after
marriage.
Short Window of Opportunity:
- The ideal lifestyle was typically attainable only for single women, with limited options
for married women to continue their personal development and self-expression.
Magazine’s Stance on Early Marriage:
- Teen magazines discouraged early marriage but did not address the underlying reasons
behind the challenges faced by married women.
Impact on Women’s Lives:
Penny Tinkler (2014) – ‘Are You Really Living?’ If Not, ‘Get With It!’ ..........................................2
Key concepts ........................................................................................................................................2
Short summary of the text ....................................................................................................................3
Summary of the text .............................................................................................................................4
Introduction......................................................................................................................................4
Magazines for young single women ................................................................................................5
Identities – the teenage self..............................................................................................................6
Lifestyle ...........................................................................................................................................9
Conclusion .....................................................................................................................................14
, Penny Tinkler (2014) – ‘Are You Really Living?’ If Not, ‘Get With It!’
Penny Tinkler (2014) ‘Are You Really Living?’ If Not, ‘Get With It!’ The Teenage Self and
Lifestyle in Young Women’s Magazines, Britain 1957–70, Cultural and Social History, 11:4,
597-619.
Key concepts
New Ideal of Teenage Lifestyle (Late 1950s-1960s):
- During this period, young women’s magazines introduced a transformative ideal for
teenage girls.
Core Features of the Ideal:
- Being Oneself: Encouraged girls to express their individuality.
- Having Fun: Promoted enjoyment and fulfillment in life.
- Embracing Independence: Focused on self-reliance and freedom.
- Gaining Diverse Experiences: Encouraged exploration and learning.
- Seizing Opportunities (Work and Travel): Advocated for career and adventure.
Magazine Endorsement:
- Teen magazines enthusiastically promoted this ideal, emphasizing self-expression, self-
development, and the realization of one’s potential.
Tensions and Challenges:
- Fluid vs. Fixed Self: The emerging self was portrayed as both adaptable and stable.
- Sexual Expectations: Magazines often warned against pre-marital sex, complicating the
pursuit of the ideal.
- Marriage’s Impact: Women faced difficulties in maintaining the ideal lifestyle after
marriage.
Short Window of Opportunity:
- The ideal lifestyle was typically attainable only for single women, with limited options
for married women to continue their personal development and self-expression.
Magazine’s Stance on Early Marriage:
- Teen magazines discouraged early marriage but did not address the underlying reasons
behind the challenges faced by married women.
Impact on Women’s Lives:
