[net.women] Sexism in advertising awards

bstempleton@watmath.UUCP (Brad Templeton) (05/18/83)

I recently saw an article in the paper saying some organization had
given out "awards" for the most sexist ads.  Their winner was the
Sanyo ad which shows the two twins in spandex rubbing oranges all
over their bodies while a VO talks about VHS recorders.  Second
place went to those Diet Pepsi ads that show female models who
haven't the slightest need to drink diet pop as they swim about and
show off their bodies.

On the other side, they awarded Trident gum an award for the least
sexist ad for their spot showing a family of 4 with a woman teaching
her daughter to sail.

Now on to the comment.  This really **IRKS** me.  It's an example
of how feminists often defeat their own cause in the fight against
sexism.  Why is a Trident ad that shows a mother teaching her daughter
something non-sexist?  To me it seems that what these people are looking
for is stuff that shows women in a good light, not stuff that emphasizes
equality.
Likewise, it seems odd to think that those Pepsi ads are aimed, not at
the men who admire the healthy bodies swimming around, but at the women who
envy them.
I am sure they could have found worse than the Sanyo ad, which at least
has somebody talking about why their product is better.
-- 
	Brad Templeton - Waterloo, Ont. (519) 886-7304