In this session we looked at extracts from the Boys Own Paper from 1917. Intended for boys only, the magazine included information and facts about guns, adventure stories, outdoor activities and instructions on how to make things out of wood. In contrast, the girl’s magazine was focused on cooking, sewing and flower arranging.

Analysing sources

We worked at trying to identify who actually read this magazine. Letters written by children for the magazine were not printed, so you could only establish who was reading the magazine through the competition winner details that were printed. Some of the competition winners were girls, which is evidence of a female audience.

Also, you would have to try and work out what the child’s question was by analysing the responses the magazine gave.

Boys also wrote in with worries or concerns to the magazine doctor.
The magazine gave children addresses for the Army and Navy for career opportunities.