Sexuality As A Social Critique

In the Nike campaign to replicate the idea of “real women” in advertising, it helps to reinforce the idea of women as they are rather than these thin, white, skinny women. The images of these women are in black and white and cast in shadows so as not to uncover the ethnicity or race of the women. Only part of the women is photographed so as to commodify her into pieces. Along with each image is a poem or brief monologue spoken by the body part displayed. This one in particular exhibits the woman’s butt. In the lines, it reclaims the “butt” as a body part that has attitude and power in its own sexual prowess. In a sense, it critiques the idea of sexuality in the acceptance of the body rather than be ashamed and desire to be thin.

Some bathrooms now exhibit the sign that there are baby-changing tables within the men’s restroom. Originally, only women’s restrooms would have the baby-changing tables. This sign critiques the male gender role. It acknowledges that men, too, can change diapers and care for children.

This advertisement is from the Dove campaign for “Real Beauty”. This particular ad focuses on age. The woman displayed has gray and white hair, wrinkles, and age spots to demonstrate her age. The woman is nude and her entire body is shown. The ad says, “too old to be in an anti-aging ad.”, across her breast. Underneath her image it says, “but this isn’t anti-age, this is pro-age.” The ad at first glance reemphasizes the fear of age and how old is not beautiful. The statement underneath the article critiques women’s sexuality as being infinite rather than female beauty lasting only in a woman’s “prime”.

The Vagina Monologues were created to raise awareness about sexual assault. This particular monologue empowers women’s sexuality to the extent of seeking orgasms. It critiques female sexuality as having the ability to be the aggressor and that women are capable of having sexualities outside of the passive stereotype.

This commercial advertisement from Dove demonstrates the use of airbrushing in advertisements and the image of impossible perfection that is being sold. It critiques female sexuality so as to say that, “We are all beautiful. No one really looks like those images in the media.”