Cosmopolitan Magazine Study Reveals Four New Types of Females and Their Attitudes Towards Life, Career and Relationships

Nearly One-Third of Women Are Career-Oriented, Ultra-Modern "Go-for-It Girls," While Another Third Are "Housewife Hopefuls," With Marriage at the Top of Their To-Do List


NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - September 13, 2007) - Today's young women tend to fall into four distinct categories, each with very different hopes and expectations, reveals a nationwide survey conducted by Cosmopolitan magazine and The Intelligence Group, released in Cosmo's October issue (on newsstands Tuesday, September 11).

According to the study, almost one-third of women (31 percent) are "Go-for-It Girls" -- ultra-modern females who believe that women can do everything men can and, in some cases, more. Seventy-four percent of those polled say women are equally or more likely to do better than men in the workplace. Relationship-wise, she dates, falls in love and has a good time with guys, but will only marry if she knows it's right -- 71 percent would rather never be married than marry and later divorce.

Another third, (32 percent) are "Housewife Hopefuls," women who see their ultimate goal as getting married and settling down. Sixty percent of this group say a fulfilling career is not important, and 47 percent of Housewife Hopefuls say their lives won't be complete until they marry.

Twenty-one percent are "Restless Explorers," fickle females who are constantly rotating men, jobs and living situations. Sixty-one percent admit to being indecisive in many areas of their lives. Part of the reason she may be hesitant to choose is that she's on a quest to find the best of what's out there -- 45 percent say it's hard to commit because there may be a better option around the corner.

The smallest group -- 16 percent -- are "Pleasure Seekers," women who believe life is too short not to enjoy every second of it. Fifty-five percent think it's fine to have relationships that are just about sex. And, a whopping 100 percent of Pleasure Seekers say being sexy is a good thing.

Some additional findings from the survey:

--  93 percent of women prefer a committed relationship to playing the
    field.
--  59 percent say women wear the pants in most relationships.
--  76 percent say their lives can be fulfilling, even without having
    children.
--  41 percent think it's fine to have one-night stands occasionally.
--  35 percent intend to give up their career when they have children.
--  81 percent would rather be single forever than be married to a man
    they know isn't right for them.
--  76 percent say it's harder to have a good relationship today than it
    was in their parents' generation.
--  79 percent think that men today are more likely to let the female be
    the sole breadwinner.
--  72 percent said that they can do almost anything to which they put
    their minds.
    

For this survey, The Intelligence Group polled 1,001 women between the ages of 18 - 34. For more information or for full survey results, please contact Letena Lindsay, lslindsay@hearst.com or Andrea Faville, afaville@hearst.com.

Cosmopolitan

Cosmopolitan (www.cosmopolitan.com) is the best-selling young women's magazine in the U.S., a bible for fun, fearless females that reaches nearly 18 million readers a month. Cosmopolitan delivers the latest news on men and love, fashion and beauty, women's health and self-improvement, and entertainment. Readers can also interact with the brand on the digital front, with Cosmopolitan mobile (m.cosmopolitan.com). In addition to its U.S. flagship, Cosmopolitan publishes 54 editions around the world. Hearst Magazines is a unit of Hearst Corporation (www.hearst.com) and one of the world's largest publishers of monthly magazines, with nearly 200 editions around the world, including 19 U.S. titles and 20 magazines in the United Kingdom, published through its wholly owned subsidiary, The National Magazine Company Limited. Hearst reaches more adults than any other publisher of monthly magazines (74.1 million total adults, according to MRI, spring 07).

Contact Information: Contact: Letena Lindsay Cosmopolitan 212-649-2577 Andrea Faville Cosmopolitan 212-649-2165