I Really Like the New Dove Ads
I guess I should be putting up this link because I hadn’t realized that people in other cities weren’t even seeing these ads. It should take you to the Dove page where the ad is.
The political discussion group I go to every Wed. was focusing on these this week and I had definitely taken note on them before. They are sort of striking up controversy in the world of feminism as some feminists believe (and, to be fair, they do have a point) that the feminist rhetoric has been co-opted to sell, hypocritically firming cream. Er…I actually didn’t even know what firming cream was until just recently but that’s another matter. You can find a counter opinion to the Dove ads here
Even more so, they are striking up controversy in the world of every day people. It seems women are reacting very favorably to them and some men are expressing extreme distaste (one of which is Richard Roeper-between his derogatory comment about this and his jibe against Chicago public schools, I am losing respect for this man by the second). Dove has some interesting statistics as well in which they delve into what percentages of women consider themselves attractive in different areas. Btw, it’s basically 85% and above of women that don’t consider themselves attractive. Dove has also established a Self Esteem Fund to try to improve the self esteem of youngsters.
Here’s what I think…I think that there is beauty in everyone although it is sometimes difficult to see it if you don’t know how to look for it. The Dove ads make me feel really really good about myself. I don’t particularly think I am all that attractive despite the fact that I watch what I eat and I work out very very regularly (and gosh it’s so hard lately with the heat) and Cinchel certainly doesn’t pressure me to look a certain way either. I do wear minimal makeup but that’s also partly because there is no makeup light enough for my pale skin and also my skin is so unbearably sensitive to that stuff. I can’t wear eye makeup period, for instance. I’m at the point where I can look at myself objectively and like at least my body but only on weeks where I work out all five week days.
While I was at the Dr’s the other day, I was reading their BMI (Body Mass Index) chart and I am actually in the 32% which means that 68% of women at my age and height weigh more than I do. I weigh less now than I did even entering high school and I definitely have way more muscle composition than I ever did at that time. If I weighed 9 pounds less, I would be my exact weight entering 7th grade. And yet, do I find women in ads that look like me? No. I don’t. The women in ads almost look sick to me. Completely unhealthy and sad. This is what society finds attractive?
After I went to the Dr.’s, I went to the swimming pool and I took a look around me. There were definitely some thin women there but the majority of women were average to maybe above average weight. As long as weight does not present any health concerns (as in, isn’t in the at risk weight group for type II Diabetes or some serious heart conditions), I think these women should be celebrated and should be ok with how they look.
Someone at the discussion group talked about trends and how today Marilyn Monroe would now be considered hefty, which I have often thought about myself (I say, bring back Marilyn Monroe Bring her back
) and she was considered beautiful and evocative at that time. (Look at the women in Renaissance paintings as well and compare with modern day models) Then, we had the age of Twiggy. I feel like we’re still on the Twiggy body type end of things. Maybe this is just a wave and it definitely has a point of trying to sell products. I mean, let’s not fool ourselves here. Dove isn’t setting out to just make women of all sizes feel beautiful. They want a sales boost. But I’d like to see it start a trend and stick with it because I feel it’s important.
Last but not least, here’s what tips the scale for me completely towards accepting these ads: They are “untouched” as in non-airbrushed. I didn’t even know what airbrushing was until I was perhaps too old and had already formulated an opinion on what ideal beauty was. Airbrushing is perhaps the most deceitful thing imaginable in my opinion. What you are saying is that no matter how much you try, you will NEVER be able to be beautiful. Because even the models that are posing can’t attain that status. After all, they have to be airbrushed. It’s saying there is no real beauty out there. The whole concept is absolutely criminal.
I think that it’s getting worse for men, too, and I want to make that clear. Our standards of beauty seem to continue to narrow and become more rigid. I want to acknowledge that. But, I cannot speak as a man so I am sharing my thoughts as a woman. Incidentally, if any males want to comment on this either on this blog or email me, please feel free to do so as I am interested in your point of view also. (And I won’t totally hate you or anything if you have a counter opinion.)
I want to say one last word of empowerment. I believe that it is safe to say that there is a substantial amount of women involved in media, marketing, film etc. that have pull and power. It’s time women take the next step forward and combat the trend towards anorexia and ageism that we have all had to experience. It’s time to make some positive change and progress.
(now playing: Stereolab: Oscillations From the Anti-Sun)