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Well before I had ever even thought about taking this class, I was aware of the unrealistic stereotype that the media portrayed women as. However males are also affected, as they're made into stereotypical caricatures in commercials (the mook!). In fact, I'd venture to say that advertising is built off of stereotypes. With all that said, it's definitely clear that the "perfect body" or "perfect woman" shown in these ads can not only be dangerous for women's health, but detrimental to the psyche in both men and women. Jean Kilbourne's figure alleges that each day we are exposed to 1500 ads and because of this, she exposits that advertising "is the most powerful educational force in society."

In the video above, we see Kate Walsh (of TV fame!) trying to sell us some Cadillacs. It's actually a rather unusual commercial. It starts off almost as if it were one of those yogurt commercials, listing off all the awesome feminine things that feminine women love. But it ends with Walsh joining the proverbial "boys' club," and even making the club eat her dust once the traffic light turns green.

What?! Girls aren't supposed to be good drivers!

Anyhoo, I believe this is very related to Susan Douglas's point, in Where the Girls Are, about being torn between feminism and being feminine. The commercial makes it clear that Kate Walsh is very feminine. She looks absolutely gorgeous, and her list of her favorite things include dark chocolate and gossip magazines (some things members of any boys club would never admit to liking). When it's time for her to pull up next to her male counterparts, they of course innocently make eye contact, before she blows them away. Proving that even with all that femininity, she's still able to not only roll with the boys, but surpass them. Of course this isn't without the help of her trusty Cadillac. Sure, this commercial could be better, but I think it's on the right track.

Let's compare that commercial with this one (made 2 years later)

You'd figure the election of our first black president would maybe make this a little more progressive, no? Welp, after viewing this, it would be safe to say this is regressive. There is no innocence in this commercial. She is looking HOT, younger, and very "come hither"-y. This is the epitome if sex selling, as there are no male counterparts blow away (except us, the viewers) while she speaks in a seductive tone. She compares buying a car to buying a dress, cause you know, they're actually really similar. Maybe they just tried to make her as sexy as hell because she's trying to sell a hatchback, which is probably the least sexy type of car imaginable.

I'm not sure why Cadillac decided to regress so much, but it is quite apparent. Maybe media has taught me tis, but I find femininity attractive. That's not to say that I think it's any worse or less important than masculinity. It just is what it is, so I like the idea of the first commercial a lot. That one can be feminine and be just as strong as males. That being said, I can't stand those yogurt commercials, so I guess it would be nice for society and media as a whole to find a nice balance that celebrates femininity without making it ridiculous and trivial.

I don't know what picture to add, so i hope this suffices: