Research Project
The effect of gender roles in ads for adults and children.
Gender roles that are used in advertising is a way that society set standard roles for both genders. However, setting a standard perspective toward both genders also means, shaming those who are not standardized. Unlike children, gender stereotype in toys or other advertising could affect their future chose as well as their mental development.
In the article, Most toy adverts are ‘sexist’ and show ‘narrow and limiting’ gender stereotypes, study warns states that, toys are mostly sexist. The images of the ads for boys are, aggressive, and powerful, at the same time the images of the ads for girls are, caring, and beauty. According to the leading British scientists, Dame Athene Donald believes that the different kind of toys that children play provide an effect toward their perspective about boys and girls. He states “We need to change the way we think about boys and girls and what’s appropriate for them from a very early age. Does the choice of toys matter? I believe it does.” Gender stereotypes in toys allocate the limitation in a choice of toys which set a limited idea for kids to think about boys and girls.
As stated in the article, How important is gender in children’s toys and play? an interview with Maria Moser a mother of three children believes that neutrality in toys is vital for children ideas toward the world and gender, as well as it’ll encourage them to play beyond the borderline of toys culture. Maria Moser states “I feel I’m not raising little boys, I’m raising men. Men who will perhaps be someone’s husband and father someday. Allowing them to play with babies is important.” Nonetheless, Maria Moser feels that her children couldn’t learn those ideas from the way toys are coded nowadays.
According to BBC, gender-specific in toys devotes development of child’s brain which affects their future career choice. Gender-specific in toys also provides the limitation interest in certain activities based on toys that they play. Researchers, urge parents to provide a variety of toys and prohibit the gender type of toys, such as barbies for girls or legos for boys. Parents should be a role model for their kids. However, there is a disagreement upon the problem of whether toys will put a great risk toward a child’s future.
Gender roles in advertising for female and male are the same as advertising roles for boys and girls. Most advertising shows men as tough, unemotional, and an example of perfection. In advertising, women appear to be, sensual, ignorant, and delicate (The Gender Ads Project).
Nowadays beauty standard for women are slim and curve. Yet, the standard beauty of women keeps changing due to the societal evolution. Women with a body shape that are not standardized are facing body-shaming (Pearson).
The society believes that women are more likely to suffer through body-shaming and self-eastern. The research reveals that eating disorder commonly happens in a female in the age of 15-24. Meanwhile, the man silently faces similar kind of issue. The body standard kind of man is muscular. A lot of teenage boys suffered through risky exercises as well as taking the dangerous supplement in the hope of changing their body image to fit the standard. Men also face the lack of self-esteem when it comes to an aromatic or social relationship (ConsumerHealthDigest).
In conclusion, gender roles in advertising is a powerful resemblance to the society. It also provides a great effect on the viewers that sometimes might do things that will risk their life. As for children, they might make wrong decisions for their future career.
Works Cited
The Independent. Independent Digital News and Media. Web. 14 Dec. 2016.
@ChandraMJohnson. “How Important Is Gender in Children’s Toys and Play?” DeseretNews.com. 07 Sept. 2015. Web. 14 Dec. 2016.
Barford, Vanessa. “Do Children’s Toys Influence Their Career Choices?” BBC News. 26 Jan. 2014. Web. 14 Dec. 2016.
Cañon, Carlo Adrian. “Body Shaming On Men: Does It Really Affect Men?” RSS. 12 Dec. 2016. Web. 14 Dec. 2016.
“The Gender Ads Project.” Males | The Gender Ads Project. Web. 14 Dec. 2016.
“The Truth About Body Shaming.” Odyssey. 14 Mar. 2016. Web. 13 Dec. 2016.