Sexuality In Advertisements

Advertisers play on several different tactics to get people interested in their products; humor, self-esteem, peer pressure and many other things, but the one tactic that is most popular and the most effective is using sex in advertising. Why is this so effective? Simply because it plays upon the biological needs of every single human being. Everytime you turn on the T.V, flip through a page in a magazine, or glance at a billboard, it’s there. The media capitalizes on sex to sell a wide variety of products. Companies get beautiful people in their advertisements and think that the audience will be tricked into thinking that maybe they can be/have that beautiful person. Sexual signals displayed by advertisers play upon our most basic, primitive instincts. Advertisers are playing with instincts which have been formed over a span of millions of years towards their advantage. Using sex is a way to get their points across quickly. They have a short span to get across their idea with little words. For example, the advertisement below is selling Calvin Klein perfume, but what we do not even see is the perfume in the ad. Instead, we see a large picture of two individuals in an intimate state. We instantly want this to be us and may even consider buying the perfume because of how it might make us feel. This may make individuals think that this perfume is worth buying because it smells “sexy” or will put them in that same situation with another. Some people may think that using individuals in this way is degrading, but then again others may think that it merely a way to sell products more efficiently. I believe that if certain individuals are willing to be apart of an advertisement, knowing the image they are conveying to others, there is nothing wrong with using sex to sell. Sexuality is power and smart advertisers use it in a way that allows them to be more productive with their products. I think that people should be proud of their beauty and if they want to use it to their benefit then that is their choice. Basically, advertisers use it because it works.

 Marisa Soave

Guidelines for full credit

1. Have it posted on time (see syllabus for dates and times)

2. Mention one source that lends credibility to whatever you’ve written

3. Write at least 350 words (I’ll check the word count if they look short)

4. Write on the topic we’re discussing in class

5. Comment on two other people’s entries

Make sure to sign your entries and comments so I can give you credit.

Also, don’t forget to check the appropriate topic category (in the bar on the right when you type your post) 

Intro

 Hey. This is going to be our class blog. These blogs are just an easy way for you to write  without having to go through the trouble of actually turning them in on paper. The goal is for you to apply what we learn in class or the text book to real situations and then write about it. On the syllabus, I’ve listed the times, dates and topics on which your blog responses are due.

 A few things to remember:

1. Anyone on the internet can read what you write here. This is just one of the reasons it is important not to use offensive language or personally attack your classmates.

2. That being said, this is a space you can use to write your opinion without having to worry if it is “academic writing” or not. I would genuinely like to know your reaction to the things that we read.

3. You will be asked to make two comments per blog assignment on other students’ writing. Keep them constructive. They should be anywhere from 3-10 sentences long.

4. It is important that you sign your name at the end of your entry so that I can give you credit for completing the assignment.

5. Depending on what you write, I may or may not comment on your post. I’ll be reading all of them regardless.

6. These blogs are going to be used to generate class discussion on the readings and to allow you to write in a less restricted environment than the typical classroom.

~J.G.