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Sex And Advertising

According to Miriam Webster, advertising is defined as "information, public notice". Everyday, this so-called information uses the sexuality of individuals to sell products. Advertising degrades a woman's worth in society and uses her body to sell items such as cars, jewelry, and beverages. Those most often exploited are our mothers, daughters, and sisters. Beautiful women, scantily dressed give us incentive to buy products, whenever the incentive is to be with these females, or as in most cases, to be like them. Because of this is exploitation, women believe they have to live up to an unachievable standard of beauty. If they fail to reach these ideas, they are made to feel worthless.
Advertising is effective because it organizes people and motivates them to buy certain products, teaching them to be, above all, consumers. It is "the propaganda of American society, and one of the most powerful forces of education" (Kilbourne). It is how we learn our attitudes, and our attitudes shape our actions. The foundation of the mass media, advertising tells us that everything can be bought, and that products can fulfill us-even meet our deepest human needs. In a capitalist society where dissatisfaction is key, advertising is very convincing. It convinces us to buy products to better ourselves so that we may fit the ideal advertisers have made for us.
The ideal woman is based on flawlessness: no lines, wrinkles, blemishes, and scars-no pores. She is human. This look can only be achieved cosmetically, and is the only standard of beauty in our culture (Kilbourne). "Deep in many girls hearts lies an impossible standard-long blonde hair, long, long legs, a slim, tall body, and perpetual youth. Call it Barbie" (Winegar 1 E). Dr. Lesley J. Dlugokinski, a clinical psychologist from Oklahoma City, suggests that many of the messages linking a woman's value to her beauty are deeply rooted in Western Culture, beginning with ancient myths and fairtales like "Sleeping...