The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
The Forum - On Line Opinion's article discussion area



Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Main Articles General

Sign In      Register

The Forum > Article Comments > Everybody’s Loveable: especially if thin, sexy and covered in icecream > Comments

Everybody’s Loveable: especially if thin, sexy and covered in icecream : Comments

By Melinda Tankard Reist, published 23/9/2010

More double standards and mixed messages for Body Image Awareness Week.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. Page 3
  5. 4
  6. All
Melinda
The reality is that Loveable and other companies are not really interested in changing culture surrounding body image. They are only interested in selling a product and they will do that based on marketing research and the advice of their advertising gurus on what sells.

The only time a company talks about body image issues is when using it as a marketing tool - that is the sad reality.

We live in a time when spin and meaningless words gloss over the reality of what is happening underneath. Best always to judge on actions rather than only on what is said, and consumers as always hold the power of what to buy and can choose based on their own judgement. More and more consumers are opting for more ethical choices in shopping whether it be use of animal products, GM, sexual advertising (probably has not taken off as much), environmental damage and fair trade.

Men and women are sexualised in images selling underwear, I don't see it as purely a girl issue. There has been a rise in eating disorders in younger men albeit the incidence in girls remains higher.

It would be difficult in not to sexualise the selling of underwear as we are dealing with a near naked body but the Loveable Ads do go that bit further with the food/sex analogy.
Posted by pelican, Saturday, 25 September 2010 10:02:15 AM
Find out more about this user Recommend this comment for deletion Return to top of page Return to Forum Main Page Copy comment URL to clipboard
Haven't we been going over and over this stuff for 30+ years? Merely restating age old issues about body image and clothes manufacturers is not that useful. It just proves we are incapable of devising solutions.
Posted by Atman, Saturday, 25 September 2010 8:36:47 PM
Find out more about this user Recommend this comment for deletion Return to top of page Return to Forum Main Page Copy comment URL to clipboard
Pelican

Why would any of these companies want to change anything?

Women are told that they absolutely must feel beautiful. Most know that they aren't really beautiful. The companies are selling the idea that their products will make women beautiful.

If women didn't think that they had to think of themselves as beautiful, why would they buy any of this over-priced crap?
Posted by benk, Saturday, 25 September 2010 9:11:02 PM
Find out more about this user Recommend this comment for deletion Return to top of page Return to Forum Main Page Copy comment URL to clipboard
Mealy-mouthed feminist ideology should never be allowed to triumph over fact.

The lion's share of the health problems suffered by girls and young women come from food choices that exclude animal protein, namely vegetarian and vegan diets which are promoted by animal liberationists and others who put the begging bowl out - and do very well by doing so from all accounts. Animal rights is one of the new religions and there is very big money to be made out of it.

Does PETA care about 'body image' in its advertising?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/19/sasha-grey-nude-peta-ad-p_n_428763.html

AS for underwear fashion, it isn't just the marketers, what woman (well they are a few exceptions) doesn't want to look and feel her best? It is foolish to pretend that women are somehow brainwashed into attractive, complimentary apparel when there is obviously a demand for it. As applies to the little black dress, women buy for their fantasy of what they want to be and that usually has nothing to do with what men want.

As for body image, again, what woman (again excluding the few who might want to look like truckies in overalls) wouldn't like to be trim and taut, especially to impress her friends? If the will was as strong as the fantasy and desire, the blueberry muffins, cream and the skinny latte (a psychologist would have a field day) would not be breakfast and there would be women everywhere going to the gym as models willingly do for their careers.

Women are different to men in that they dress for the occasion and to look their best, even if that is simply an excursion to the corner shop.
Posted by Cornflower, Sunday, 26 September 2010 3:39:18 PM
Find out more about this user Recommend this comment for deletion Return to top of page Return to Forum Main Page Copy comment URL to clipboard
benk
I don't know why some women will spend exhorbitant amounts of money to make themselves feel beautiful. Many of the most expensive products do the same or worse than cheaper products and have been proven to do so by testing such as in face creams and the like.

Don't get me wrong most women want to feel attractive - it is important to some women more than others and it is only natural to want to be attractive to your partner or would-be partner but beauty is only skin deep. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and most men I know prefer a natural look on a woman rather than a heavily made up version - not everyone does buy into these beauty messages but the message here is about eating disorders.

However all that aside (we all have to make our own choices) what is being pointed out is that in this case the company is pushing a cultural senstive line in relation to eating disorders but is not backing it up when it comes to advertising.

Perhaps Loveable thought a model eating watermelon and icecream running down their arm is a message that you can eat normally and still be healthy, afterall everything in moderation, but I cannot claim to know the minds of those who designed the Ad.

MTR is pointing out a possible contradiction to what is claimed and what is in the end, done.
Posted by pelican, Monday, 27 September 2010 12:29:17 PM
Find out more about this user Recommend this comment for deletion Return to top of page Return to Forum Main Page Copy comment URL to clipboard
I have to say I think MTR is tilting at the wrong windmill. Manufacturers and advertisers are going to go with whatever sells; including making outrageous and self conflicting claims.
What bothers me more these days is the evolution of the Pop Star, and the strange genetic link between vocal chords and external beauty.
What chance does a great (female) singer have these days, if she doesn't look good in a bikini or leotard, or less?
I can't help feeling we are missing out on hearing some great talent, just because the visual doesn't match the audio.
Posted by Grim, Monday, 27 September 2010 8:43:10 PM
Find out more about this user Visit this user's webpage Recommend this comment for deletion Return to top of page Return to Forum Main Page Copy comment URL to clipboard
  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. Page 3
  5. 4
  6. All

About Us :: Search :: Discuss :: Feedback :: Legals :: Privacy