Women's magazines were were especially popular. They reflected the changing view of women's role in society. Interestingly, in the 18th century, when women were expected to participate in social and political life and women's magazines of that time period had stimulating content.

But during in the 19th, domesticity was the ideal. This cultural shift coincided with the rise in mass circulation of magazines. Women's magazines inclined to focus on fashion, gossip, embroidery patterns, and sheet music.

The focus was on "....the useful with the beautiful, and aiming to include every thing that will be interesting to the family circle.... Being intended largely for ladies, it will devote a considerable space to the matters which fall particularly under their jurisdiction, such as dress and household affairs."
-Harper's Bazar, November 2, 1867

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