Is it me or why does the U.S. use sex to sell any and everything.....?

Question

But when it comes to people and their sexuality there is a problem.
I think this country puts so much emphasis on sex (along w/ many other things) makes it a hypocrisy

Answer 1

I think I see what you are trying to say, about the hypocrisy of it all. That all there is around is is sex, sex, sex, but then there is always a big production made about peoples sexuality (whether it is gender preference, of promiscuity).
There are two separate forces at work. 1) companies know that sex sells, that it is a weakness that most people share, and do not have any qualms about exploiting it. & 2) despite this common weakness, people have morals and standards that they want to live their lives by.
I think that people tend to not get upset about the commercials because they want to view themselves as being above it.

Answer 2

Well, you're correct, but the answer to your question is more simple (and sad) than most of us would care to think about. The bottom line is that sex sells better than anything else so companies have become obsessed with using it as an advertising tool. We can't really deny how effective it is either. We want to be accepted by the opposite sex, so as a society, the U.S. has become obsessed with that very goal through consumer products which promise to allow them to achieve that goal.

This is actually why I just recently stopped using all that crap such as cologne, hair gel, etc. I figure if I need cologne or a fancy hairstyle to attract them, they're not really attracted to begin with. Unfortunately, I really doubt that many people are willing to do the same thing. Of course, there's some good uses to cologne. I'm a college student and after enduring the stench I had to from the person who sat next to me, and seeing how poor some people's hygiene are, I'm half-tempted to wear cologne again just to neutralize any smell I may have to deal with.

But anyways, yeah I agree with you. They overuse sex to sell everything.

Answer 3

Because at the end of the day it sells products.
Everyone gripes about it, but the products still get purchased.
If everyone made enough protests by not buying products, the trend would end. Sadly, you look back throughout advertising and it's the same old story. The models just get more provocative, thank Calvin Klein, etc. for making the trend to even younger models like early teens..
It's enough to make you sick.

Answer 4

How right you are-and it seems to keep getting worse. I think one answerer said something about not buying their products which hits them where it hurts but too many are influenced by the quest for the "fountain of youth" so they will keep buying into the whole false mess. At least some designers are putting a stop to the thin anorexic models (only because some have died from it).

Answer 5

What you say is true but you'll find the same thing in other countries. It's not limited to the United States. I've witnessed this in most Latin American countries and European countries. It's a human condition/weakness. We're easily lured into purchasing products when we see beautiful and sexy people using them.

Answer 6

Well, the country was founded by overly religious types (pilgrims) and besides, sex is more enticing (and works better as a marketing tool ) if it's forbidden.

I think it's weird too. They use sex and specifically breasts to sell EVERYTHING, even to women!

Answer 7

I know my husband sure likes looking at whatever he can get his beady little eyes on and I'm so sick of seeing naked women sell everything from toothpaste to tires. Why can't us women see some hot bodies on tv for a change?!!! Why can't a half naked man sell me some laundry detergent? You know he could be standing in front of the wash machine slowly stripping off his dirty clothes. I'd buy it!!!

Answer 8

It's not just you.
In America, sex is considered a "private" subject therefore, Americans want more of it and they will do almost anything for more of it.
I dont know about other cultures but, I know Americans want what they cant get enough of....and sex is one of those things.
I call it greed and yes, it's ugly.

Answer 9

if you look at american sexual mores its just like a terrible tv evangelist what our country is based on and what we do now is 2 diff things and that is sad.we started this country based on political and basic freedoms. weve turned into an abberation of what we started from.i find that pisses me off

Answer 10

because it's sexy! hah, i do agree with you that because the US uses these advertistments it makes more people feel insecure about their bodies, which is sad. Some of this advertisments are adjusted in programs like Photoshop. It's like "if you buy this you can look like this!" it's a bunch of crap.