I could go on about all the reasons why I don't read Cosmo, but I wanted to share this example.
On the website there is a sex positions section, and each lists "Why You'll Love It." Besides the fact that it is only supporting heterosexual sex, it is extremely sexist (as much of this magazine is...)
This one says this:
WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT:
This passion pose supplies the kind of naughty sex scene that all men yearn for. It gives him a full-frontal va-va-voom view of you in action, one that'll undoubtedly fuel his dirtiest fantasies for a long, long time. Plus, because you're the one who sets the speed and timing, you can treat yourself to the exact motions that make you moan with desire and take you over the edge of ecstasy.
Notice how the first half is not about why the man will love it - and the reason is that it's supposed to be fulfilling some naughty-porno-like-sex-scene fantasy. That just irks me on so many levels.
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I'd rather highlight what it says about having sex against a wall:
'With your man infront of you and the wall buffering your back, your movement is restricted. This provides a feeling of vulnerability and confinement, which can be a huge turn-on.'
Right.
There is a whole lot wrong with Cosmo. I believe the latest issue tells you to worry about your orgasm face. I believe I once read an article where they suggested that you put make-up on your nipples to make them fashionably red. Seriously, what the fuck? Cosmo pisses me off the most when they try to dredge up new things to be insecure about.
They take the fun out of sex. Because according to Cosmo, you're supposed to spend every moment making sure your stomach is sucked in and shoulders are back and you're not making any odd expressions and unappealing noises. That's disgusting.
That said:
I don't think the example here is something to worry about. I really hate that they consistently put the man's pleasure first, but frankly, if you're having sex, you should be trying to please your partner, regardless of either of your genders. Ever fucked someone who didn't seem to give a crap about whether you were enjoying yourself? Exactly. You don't want to be that person. Pleasing your partner doesn't mean you give them pleasure without asking for anything in return, and it doesn't mean you don't make sure to enjoy yourself. It just means you're considerate.
And as for the feeling of vulnerability and confinement, it really can be a huge turn-on, and there's nothing wrong with that.
Check out Glossed Over. It's a very critical look at women's magazines, and it's hilarious to boot. Here's the relationships tag, where advice like this is mocked.
http://www.glossedover.com/glossed_over/relationships/
I must admit that I am somewhat a hypocrite because I do peak at Cosmo for beauty/fashion inspiration and occasionally will read the articles because I know they are going to be so bad I just can't help myself. That said, the best thing to do when reading Cosmo is to take their advice and do the exact opposite. Seriously, on every page there is at least one piece of "advice" that is sexist and stupid. Plus, if you have read one year's worth of Cosmo you have read them all because they keep recycling the same info. Cosmo puts way too much attention on pleasing a man by making sure you conform to all stereotypical beliefs about what gender means for a man and woman and then play by really stupid rules. The most offensive article I found in the latest issue was the directive that it is "ok" to hang out with your bf and his friends and you should "like sports" but make sure you still act stereotypically feminine and don't yell, talk sports, or get too excited if your team is doing good or bad because the guys don't like girls who act too much like they do and still want to be reminded that you are a girl. GAG!!! Every cool guy I have ever met is nothing like the "Cosmo guy" and the sexiest woman I know who gets "all the men" breaks all of Cosmo's stupid rules.