Representation analysis

     In contemporary society, representation is at its all time high. However, is it really enough? Stereotypes of gender, race, and various social aspects continue to live on. When people are exposed to these crude ideas, it further reinforces them and can be detrimental to our psyche. Therefore, it is crucial to identify these problems and prevent future mishaps.

    Tide, a laundry detergent company, released an ad plagued with comments on femininity and gender. When viewing, it is hard to believe that is isn't some antiquated piece but sadly a product of an antiquated mindset. In the ad, https://criticalmediaproject.org/tide-ad/, a mom dressed in pink surrounded by floral décor talks about her daughter and the detergent. She states that she wishes the product was less effective because it cleans her daughters hoodies and cargo shorts too well. She makes an allusion to the fact that she wishes she could have an excuse to get rid of her daughter's choice of clothing. In addition, the daughter is depicted playing with a set of wooden blocks. The clear implications of the ad is that the clothing of the daughter is not "lady-like" and ought to be thrown out. The effect an ad like this may have is that it may make girls and women think they have to dress a certain way. When in reality, they can where whatever they want.

    Another prime example of these misrepresentations is in a 2006 Axe Body Spray ad. The ad depicts bikini-clad women flocking in countless numbers to a bewildered man who applied Axe Body Spray. This ad objectifies women and also harms men by portraying them as only caring about getting women. The effect such an ad may have is first, women may feel inclined to look like the women in the bikinis, and also that men may think they entitled to women just because they smell nice.