For example one night I was watching the Oxygen channel and fell asleep watching tv. I wake up in the middle of the night to them selling sex toys on tv! (sorry if I'm making any of you comfortable, but just throwing this out there.) Could you imagine how awkward that would be if one of my family members happened to walk in and see that? I know I would be thouroughly embarrassed. You're probably thinking, "So, what, it is the middle of the night." And I would agree; however, it also gets weird when your watching television with your mom and all the sudden a trojan or KY yours and mine commercial comes on the screen. Especially if there is a kid in the room with their head tilted to the side trying to make sense of what just happened. (Come on, I know I can't be the only one weirded out by this.)
Ok, back to my original ramble about body image. Everybody knows it and there is no use in denying it that sex sells, but does this really need to be taken to the extreme? One advertisement (that I thought I would never see again after Paris Hilton) is the Carls Jr. commercial. Seriously? You think looking at a half clothed women makes me hungry, let alone want to eat one of your stinking burgers? Heck no! (just in case y'all havent seen it, it's below) Any time it comes on TV I can't imagine wanting to eat their food, but yet I bet their sales have increased.
Another thing that is blown extremely out of proportion is the way women look in magazines. Models, celebrities in photo shoots, they all get photo shopped when they look perfect in the first place. The young women who read these magazines, (I'll admit it I read Seventeen and Cosmo girl) wish to look like these women who are now completely fake. In my sociology class last semester we watched a documentary, Codes of Gender. (available at the Fine Arts Library, I recommend it!) It talked about how women place themselves in ads to look vulnerable, or how they rely on men and are the submissive character when photographed with males. To appear vulnerable women touch their face, cant, and have the weird neck bend. Some of their positions are so awkward, you know it can't be comfortable. The documentary even went on to discuss how males ALWAYS have to appear dominant or rugged in photos or else it is considered gay advertisement. For example you will never see a man holding his face or akward poses like women. They always stand strong, trying to get the dominant or mysterious look. It was last semester so I can't remember all of the details, but I highly suggest you check it out.
This a few years old, but if y'all haven't seen it already, it is really eye opening.
Lastly,
Katie Hobbs, a representative of Arizona, is trying to pass a bill which would require advertisers to put a disclaimer on their advertisment if it was in anyway airbrushed. I personally think this is a great idea. Young women (teenagers-early 20's) are so impressionable. Looking at thin women withn no imperfections is who most of those girls would like to be. However if this bill was passed (which Hobbs thinks it has little chance, but is still trying) it would show the young women in our society that no one is perfect and we all have our flaws. Below is the link to an AZ news article. I encourage you to read it to find out a little more info. Have a great weekend!
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2012/02/14/20120214arizona-bill-takes-aim-airbrushed-women-ads.html
Adrienne--
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your post--I have never seen the dove clip, and I am going to make both of my girls watch it. I cringe when my oldest daughter criticizes her looks, but catch myself doing the same thing at times. As women, I think it is important for us to take a stand against the harmful images--