We’ve mentioned the backlash against photo retouching. Seventeen magazine has been a touchpoint in that argument. It was the subject of the petition by a 14 year old against retouching that garnered 85,000 signatures.
James F. Thompson of PRNewser points out that it is actually glamour—an idealized version of reality—that Seventeen is selling to its (well, often pre-teen) audience. By abiding by its promise to offer more authenticity it will be taking a tremendous leap of faith, and the effect on sales will be a clear judge of the magazine’s decision, whichever way it goes. Is it true, as Thompson puts it, that “Inevitably the real world prevails, warts and all”?
