On the subject of offensive adverts?

Question

How would feminists feel if these adverts were swapped (i.e. portrayed men as ' the superior sex' and claim that 'men are more rational than women' etc.)?

http://antimisandry.com/58sprox-shoes-for-the-superior-sex

Or, this one - showing women as sows and the men as... well, as men?

http://antimisandry.com/trojan_evolve_pigs_men-t6628.html

patois - are you implying that 'revenge' is acceptable? Note how the woman is still...a woman in your offensive ad, not a pig or blatantly called inferior? etc. It seems to me, you're avoiding addressing this question - instead, opting to redirect it entirely and say "well, you did it - we can do it."
Not quite the kind of equality feminists claim to be for, is it? :o)

Tera - when you say "Did I think 'we' would think otherwise?", are you stating 'we' as a feminist collective or yourself?
For yourself, I find you to be mostly balanced - along with many others here... however, feminism as a whole? Hmmmm, well.. let's just say this advert came from what is considered to be the most feminist-friendly country on the planet... that's all I'm gonna say about it ;o)

Peoples - you haven't addressed the question at all.Please re-read it, drop the childish name-calling and think of a proper answer. Cheers :o)

Tera:
I also agree fully, the advert does insult women's intelligence - if indirectly as oppose 'in your face' as it does men's.
Well, I have lived in America and in England and can confirm that my experience is the majority of programmes & adverts bash men considerably more than women.
My neice is four years old. She watches a kids programme called 'peppa pig'. It's a family of 'pigs' that talk, representing a 'traditional' family. I don't watch it per se, but it's on a lot for her benefit. I can't even count (not because I'm stoopid, but because i'd go mad trying) the amount of times 'Daddy' pig screws up the family's day. He can't evne put up a shelf, let alone fix a car or computer. Mommy pig, OTOH, is naturally gifted at all she does. I've yet to see a single episode where Mommy pig messes up and daddy pig comes to the rescue, with everyone laughing "ahhhar - silly mommy pig!" at the end.
IOW, we're teaching toddlers & children = dads are stupid, moms are perfect.

Furthermore, I agree sexism is offensive - I do believe, however, that the feminist mindset has inspired much of the misandry we're experiencing. I've encountered some feminists who go as far as to express their joy of this. Yes, you're right - sex sells, no doubts - but there's a difference between 'glorifying women' (which is offensive to many feminists) to promote men's products and directly comparing men to pigs or telling us directly we are inferior. A big difference.
Let's assume 100% they were created by men - they're pandering to what they KNOW (from endless reams of research) will 'appeal' to women... bashing men. And, as I said - with Sprox, it hails from Holland, known for it's pro-feminist government policies and such - the most fem-friendly country globally. That's where the feminist initiative group demanded a 'man tax'.

Answer 1

The first ad was completely derogatory and, well... just lame. The marketing aim was shoty work, at best. Lazy advertising and I agree with Rio that they are going to have to work allot harder to get me through the door.
In fact, they have done the opposite, they have driven me away from the brand with the over-all offensive nature of the ads. (plus, the shoes lacked luster to begin with)

2nd ad was also dumb and a little risky of the "Trojan" brand. They ran the risk of offending a large majority of men, do they think that "Trojan" is the ONLY brand available?

I feel the need to apologize to you gents, as I remain impartial and always try to think for myself vs. letting the media mold my preferences.

EDIT: cheers

Answer 2

The concept of "He Said", "She Said" advertising where both genders play 'role reversals', or take the same stance, using the same text has long been the dream of those who believe in gender equality. If both sexes can say the same thing and neither gender is offended then surely the advertisement is not sexist.
A couple of years ago there appeared in Sydney, Australia, a poster advertising women's fashion. It portrayed two naked men, crawling on all fours, depicted as being dogs, whilst being led down the street on a leash by a beautifully dressed woman. How is that for 'sexist' advertising?

Answer 3

Had the genders been reversed, that ad would have never made it out the Ad Agency's door.

We all know that women are the biggest spenders (they account for 85% of all consumer purchases), and thus the advertisers pander to them.

Advertisers work on the basis of "what sells" - they use certain images and messages that match our psychology. Thus, advertisers for businesses exploit the female psychology - it does this by presenting images of women being superior over men (due in large part to the misandry that has been ingrained in the female psyche) which effectively gives women an ego boost and therefore making the emotional connection, thereby help selling the product.

Women are easily swayed and gullible by targeted marketing unlike men, being less emotional and more objective and logical in nature (largely).

Essentially it all boils down to economics-- it ensures that women have the bulk of the wealth and ensuring they spend it as much as possible.

I'll just add IMO that if they are seduced by the idea that men are inferor, irrational, stupid, etc. then women (and advertisers) should be ashamed of themselves.

Answer 4

Wow, I agree that that first ad is HORRIBLE! I'm a woman (and liberal feminist) and I'm offended FOR men! I wouldn't buy the product and would even encourage others not to, as well. I think the add is unacceptable and makes it all the harder for the genders to find equality. Its things like this that keeps knocking the struggle for equality backwards. (I would be just as offended if the ad was about males, I have to be honest.)

As for the second ad, I think the whole bit is offensive, to both men and women. Men shouldn't be portrayed as pigs, but neither should it show that a woman will have sex with a man just because he has "the right brand of condoms". It shows a lack of intelligence for both parties.

Again, ads like this make gender equality progression all the more difficult.

Edit---Laela-- what is this package deal you're talking about? Maybe I'm wrong or missing your point, but it sounds to me that you're arguing that in order to have equality, men must serve the same time or form of subjugation and oppression that women have. If that's the case, that's not equality-- that's trying to get revenge.

Answer 5

I stopped watching the first one at some point... so boring. And the second I've seen on TV. Both are dumb, but marketing is all about getting attention - whether you like the ad or not - they just want to plant their name in the back of your head. You know how it is. People remember things they love or hate.

I'm not a brand name freak. If I drive a Lexie it's because I researched and found out that it's one of the best cars out there. I was looking for a Toyota initially anyway; I just got a good deal on this one. If I bought a Coach wallet, it was because I paid only $30 for it in Florence and 7 years later I still have it.... Yeah, it's real. Anyway, these people don't put food on my table and I sure as hell won't let them make my decisions for me.

Answer 6

There is no superior sex. Men still get slightly better treatment in some cases, but women are equal to men more or less.

I think I can see where Trojan is coming from, because really, it's always the lady that's saying to wear a condom; if she didn't, do you really think most guys would?

Feminism is a dangerous thing to get into. Here are some quotes from some prominent feminists:

"The male is a domestic animal which, if treated with firmness...can be trained to do most things" - Jilly Cooper, SCUM (Society For Cutting Up Men, started by Valerie Solanas)

"Marriage as an institution developed from rape as a practice" - Andrea Dworkin

"The proportion of men must be reduced to and maintained at approximately 10% of the human race" - Sally Miller Gearhart, in The Future - If There Is One - Is Female

Answer 7

the coin is being flipped over whereas it was heads before now it's tails. Even for me who does not believe in equality I call it an even trade. It seems the feminists round these parts are not going for it; has me wondering just how serious they are about equality, cause if they were they would have grabbed it up. Equality also means trading back and forth reversing the process if you will. There comes a time when equality means just exactly that; I'm a person who is not too happy with that arrangement; therefore I am an anti. The one about the sows doesn't bother me one iota cause well sows are just one of God's creatures who has a purpose to be here. It's not her fault that she looks the way she does, still I appreciate them all the same. Besides that sows give birth to the cutest little piglets. Which reminds me I love Winnie the Pooh and Piglet is my all time favorite. *grins*
Edit: Anti and all the guys: I'm speaking my mind here and I'm not aiming to please you;there just might come a time where something I may say that may offend any one of you; when the happens that will be your choice as to how you deal with it. The same goes for me.** Edit feminist: I have no time for your childish ways. When you call for equality you have got to take the whole packaged deal. There's no picking and choosing. Now if what I have said offends you; that's your choice not mine. As for me I'm not willing to take the whole packaged deal. As a-matter-of-fact, I'm not willing to take any of it. There; now you all know where I stand.

Answer 8

Irony has been traditionally used for comedic purposes. Allow me to place the offensive ad in its proper context:

The mass media is renowned for intelligence & good taste.
Liberals stand united for free speech.
A gentle tolerance characterizes Islam.
Feminists display an unequaled sense of humor.
Germans are the warmest, friendliest people.
Africa is the Enlightened Continent.
Women are the superior sex.

(Now does everyone get it? I observe that nothing's sadder than a joke requiring an explanation.) --Carlos

Answer 9

These ads have the same essence as the beer ads and are just as irrelevant,warped and misleading, in their implication of control and thereby self worth of a person. They therefore should be held in as much contempt as the beer ads

Answer 10

Yep, those are offensive ads...did you really think we would think otherwise?

Edit: I agree wholeheartedly with Rio...that ad is insulting to our (women's) intelligence! We're not going to buy products just because some commercial gives us some phony, ridiculous stroke to our egos. Both ads I find offensive, not only looking at it from a female perspective, but also from a male's perspective.

What I would like to know is how do you explain the prevalence of ads that are sexist toward women in countries like ours (not to mention, everywhere else)?

Sexism is offensive....whether it's aimed at men or women. But I do not believe that sexist ads toward men sprung from the hands of feminists, and I don't believe that sexist ads toward women were the doings of anti-feminists, either. I think there are far more ads that demean women, and I think that this is a product of the media. Sex sells.. it's also a product of the type of world we live in. I would hesitate to pin the blame on one specific group of people. It seems to me you're implying that those ads are the work of feminists with an agenda, and I disagree. I bet that first ad was made by most likely men- intent on selling a product aimed at women. It would be interesting to find out, wouldn't it?