When the demographics of the US is changing rapidly, why do most commercials still have anglo-saxon models?

Question

There are a few African-American models, but Hispanic or Asian models are rarely seen. Especially when Mexicans, Chinese and Indian people make up a large population of the buying community.

Note, I did mention that non-whites are also a large population of the buying community - and a growing one at that. Plus, tonalc please note, the white population is below 200 million now and an aeging population at that - Hispanics are around 41 million and African Americans abt 38 million.

Again I want to say READ my question - I didnot say why whites are represented - I am only pointing out the very statistics u have been telling me about - hispanics + asians+ blacks DONOT constitute the rest 30% of the models!!!!

Answer 1

hey man! you aren't the only one! anglo-saxon yes, but are they the demographics of other anglo-saxons? HEEEELLLLLL no! Many naturally blond, light skinned people are not 6 feet tall with a 26 waistline! Most of us come from northern europe and are short and stalky, gain weight fast with high metabolisms. Some of you ethnic girls have the true beauty. You are right, all of us women are mis-represented

Answer 2

Here are the stats I found regarding racial make up of the U.S. This data comes from the world fact book and the 2002 census.

white 70%
hispanic 12%
black 12%,
Asian 4%,
Amerindian and Alaska native 1%,
Asian/Pacific islander 0.2%

Looking at this, roughly 70% of the population is characterized as caucasian. I live in a city where the population is roughly 25% african american. A fairly small asian community, and a large russian immigrant population. We also have large influxes of recent immigrants from Somalia. In our area the commercials all seem to match the racial diversity of our area. Perhaps some of the advertisements you're referring too are region specific. I do agree that it is rare to see asian or Indian actors/models in commercials or on t.v.

Answer 3

Because, the USA is (approx) 75% white - 12.5% black & 12.5% Latino, Asians 3.6% according to the 2000 census. Whites outnumber Latinos 6 to 1.

Companies don't make ANY profit from racism - they want to sell as many units of their product as they can - they don't care if the buyer is black, white, brown, yellow or green.

The statement "Mexicans, Chinese and Indian people make up a large population of the buying community" just isn't true, not compared to whites.

Q. What form of media are you remarking on - would that be TV channels like Telemundo, Univision, BET - or is it the mainstream networks. Are you watching Bernie Mac, Fresh Prince, That's so Raven, All of us - or are you watching Married with Children, According to Jim, Seventh Heaven, The OC, or Buff ? You might see more black actors in commercials for the first list, than the second.

Answer 4

Well, white women are considered to have 'international appeal'--it is really the buyer who will determine whether or not the model is attractive/ appealing. Perhaps it's just something we all grew up with.

And anyway, whites tend to be taller, with longer legs than asians; they have fairer skin, which has always been considered a hallmark of beauty; they have sharper features and higher cheekbones. That's all really.

If asians want to see other asians more often in the media, they'll just have to reassess their idea of beauty. In Toni Morrison's book 'The Bluest Eye' one black girl longs for blue eyes; a black lady worships Jean Harlow. What does that mean? Read the book, it might provide insight into the matter.

Ultimately we are all entitled to have our own vision of beauty. And ultimately, beauty is not fair skin, long legs and high cheek bones; it is not advertising, media, photoshop and prada clothing; beauty is universal good.

If you think black girls/ chinese/indian/mexicans are cute, go ahead. You'll have less competition in the dating world.--Haha, joke.

Answer 5

The population of the US is about 280 million. In the last census, those identifying themselves as "white" totaled 211 million.

Although I agree there needs to be more representation of other races, the ads are indeed representing the demographic.

Answer 6

because after all the statistics, it is still generally perceived to be the more superior or cosmopolitan or more appealing concept of beauty, and when it comes to models and modelling, the rest are seemingly categorized as ethnic/intercultural beauties and the like, but it doesn't mean to say that it's less beautiful.

Answer 7

I don't live in the US so I don't know other than to say what % of the population is Anglo-Celtic? If the majority, then why wouldn't you advertise to the majority?

Answer 8

stereotyping, racism, and sexism.
we'd like to think these things no longer exist, but they do.

it also has a lot to do with the people who are making the commercials in the first place.

Answer 9

perhaps because the guys at the ad agencies are WASPS