I saw this ad and for a few seconds, without seeing the bottom 1/6 of the
page, had no idea what it was trying to sell. Hmm..a vectored, cartoonish
image of a skinny blonde either clasping or unclasping her bra strap,
pictured from behind, standing in front of an open window…To say the least,
it did not exactly catch my attention. Then I see a small image of a pack
of Trident gum next to the text, “A whiter smile gets you noticed. Even if
you don’t want to be.�

This ad was found in Seventeen magazine. I know for a fact that not all
readers of this magazine are at least 17 years of age. You can tell by the
way the ad is put together that it is intended for a teenage or young adult
audience. This is why I wanted to point out that not all sexist or violent
ads are solely based on clothing, perfume, or alcohol; because most people
wouldn’t recognize it by just glancing. The woman standing half-naked and
the crescent shape in the background, to me, suggest that someone is
standing outside her window, creeping in on her private self and smiling
wide.

It is kind of confusing to me as to which figure is the main subject here.
If you pay close attention to the text, it says “A whiter smile gets you
noticed. Even if you don’t want to be.� Is this referring to the young girl
undressing (or dressing) or is it referring to the creeper outside the
window who doesn’t want the girl to know that he’s peeping in on her? If it
is referring the young girl, does it mean that if you use this gum, guys
will want you? Is it really not about having healthy teeth anymore? Also,
why do the advertisers feel the need to accent one of girls’ greatest fears
of being looked in on while changing? Some may take this ad as, “well if I
chew this gum when I’m alone in my house, will creepy boys notice me and
look in on me?�

Considering that this girl is almost completely naked but the image is not
showing anything revealing and she is not posed in a risqué manner, I don’t
think this is really meant to be a “beauty ad�. The girl is, however, thin,
blonde and white. I don’t know how many girls would actually want to be
stalked on through their bedroom window, but some girls find it exciting to
be noticed. I just hope this ad has not influenced any young men or women
to expose themselves or to go stalking people!

But seriously. Why such a vulgar image? It’s creepy to me! The advertisers
could have presented their product in a much more tasteful manner, not
promoting sexuality. Especially for a Trident gum product! Leave that for
the material crap like clothes and perfume!

So, the first photograph features a beautiful, seemingly "natural" looking woman, topless, with wet hair on the beach somewhere. When I looked at the picture, the first thing I noticed was her eyes. I really didn't pay much attention to her left hand, where a wedding ring is strategically placed for the advertisement.

For example:

Tool magazine ads: MEN
Jewelry ads: WOMEN
Electronic ads: MEN
Makeup ads: WOMEN
Car magazine ads: MEN
Beer ads: WOMEN

You can't look at a single advertisement or watch a commercial advertising beer without a half-naked airbrushed fake baked skinny woman/en being featured. WHY IS THIS?!

As a leading female role model for young girls, Mia has had an enormous impact on woman’s sports and the game of soccer throughout her legendary career. She has inspired millions of athletes, shaped the minds of many young girls, and has taught the world that sports have no gender. Mia provides encouragement and empowerment to not only female athletes but to the general female population. She has been put in the same categories with some of the greatest male athletes such as Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Wayne Gretzky, and hall-of-fame Babe Ruth. Through her many victories, good deeds, and inspiring attitude, she has proved to the world that women and men are created equal and that women can do anything just as well as men.

Many young people can relate to this commercial because often there is tension between men and women in the field of sports. Some women feel inferior to men's physical abilities and their masculine imagery and therefore undeniably feel they have to be tough in order to defend their status. Because of the stereotype that women are suppose to be an attractive housewife, marry and have kids, women feel such pressure to do all of that and still prove to men that they are aggressive go-getters.

I would argue that these ideals should not have to be so extreme. Why does a woman have to choose between a homemaking lifestyle, an athletic lifestyle or have both in order to balance sports, marriage, babies, and a career? Perhaps this hearkens to today's society in which labels dictate everything!

Although this commercial is supposed to be geared toward the product Gatorade I read deeper into the intentions of the producers. The aim of the content is to prove to their audience that with their product, women can do anything men can do, if not better. I think sports help expand the role of women in society. The whole design of this commercial has positively shaped many people's opinions on what capabilities women have in comparison to men, has motivated women to try hard to achieve their personal best, and has made people feel that it is okay for a woman to have different characteristics that define her.