Gender Stereotypes In Advertising

1241 Words3 Pages

The term gender stereotype can be defined as any attributes, differences and roles of individuals and or groups (Gender Stereotypes, 2016). This term relates to advertising because advertisers argue whether gender stereotypes in advertisements are problematic and how the effect of these advertisements can harm society (Matthes, Prieler & Adam, 2016). Gender stereotyping in television advertisements can be problematic to society when gender roles are justified according to what society think is acceptable and not acceptable. According to the resource page, on the Health: Gender Violence website, gender roles are characteristics that are considered appropriate for men and women in society (N.A., 2002). What is consider appropriate for men and women in society? In this case, society says it is appropriate for women to bake, whereas men are judged for baking. For instance, the Easy Bake Oven commercials that are broadcast on television. This ad target market is basically for teenage girls. Why not for teenage boys as well? Advertisers should not showcase products that both genders can purchase. This situation mirrors what society think is appropriate and not appropriate for …show more content…

Gender stereotypes can harm society by upsetting different community groups, in particularly, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) community. For instance, the Easy Bake Oven commercials can upset someone who is apart of the LGBT community because the ad divides gender. It divides gender by associating only teenage girls with the product instead of having teenage boys associating with the product as well. This can also harm society by classifying the product as an item only for teenage girls, thus dividing both genders. The appropriate way to close this gender gap in this particular ad, is involving teenage boy characters so both genders are equally balanced in television

Open Document