Dove's Real Beauty Campaign wants to redefine beauty. Its mission is to "help free ourselves and the next generation from beauty stereotypes." Dove continues to produce "thought-provoking ads, confidence-building programs and messages that embrace all definitions of beauty."
In 2008, have those stereotypes been redefined or is beauty still a definition every woman needs to squeeze into?
What do you think?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhCn0jf46U
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About Me
- Emily Murphy
- United States
- I am a junior at SUNY Fredonia. I am studying public relations with a minor in theatre.
13 comments:
I think we are finally starting to see the shift that women don't need to be a size zero to be successful, but we definitely aren't there yet. I think shows like American Idol have helped make this transformation possible. Women that are a size 8 or 12 are on TV screens across America when someone watches that show. However, a year or so later you typically see that same women slimmed down (Kelly Clarkson). There are some that haven't changed (I'm blanking on the girl from Dreamgirls' name...but her). I think women are starting to believe that they need to be comfortable with themselves for who they are. We'll get there someday...we're just starting to see the switch.
Dove has created an exceptional campaign that has helped boost the confidence of everyday females. No one girl is built the same, or looks the same, but this is a good thing because we are all our own individual selves.
As jemakast pointed out, celebrities are still trying to slim down and fit the beauty description of "thin and beautiful". However, not all females are capable of losing the extra weight, making it difficult on their self esteem. No woman should feel uncomfortable in her own skin because we were all created differently to show distinction.
I personally don't think that women need to fit any stertotypes. I can definetely see the shift that women don't need to be a size zero, for example Jennifer Hudson, Oprah, Queen Latfiah, and Missy Elliot. They are all very well respected women figure in out society.
The mother roll/house wife has disappeared in our society. Women are expected to get a job, and its even acceptable for them to do what was male dominanted jobs. We even have to make sure we are politcally correct, so we don't affend anyone!
I think DOVE is doing an excellent job promoting its products and trying to build women's confidence. Dove has a campaign called Dove Love Your Hair. Actress, Alli Larter walked the red carpet with natural hair. The point of this was to encourage women to love the hair that they have. Do you agree with me that Dove did a great job reaching its goal for women to love the hair they have?
I believe that the media is continuing to send unrealistic messages about the way women should look, act, and dress. A large majority of the actresses and models portrayed in the media are thin, have flawless completions, and are decked out with brand name clothes and accessories. Many teenage girls are exposed to this and begin to believe that they too must look this way in order to be socially accepted by their peers and society. While Hollywood celebrities can afford a closet full of designer clothes and personal trainers, this simply is not realistic to the average American. However, this can be a hard concept for a teenage girl to accept when she feels that everyone else is skinny and wearing designer clothes.
Jemakast,
You make a good point. I too think the media is catching on. I find it interesting that Kelly Clarkson lost weight and have noticed the very same thing with others in the lime light. Though we are making progress, I am skeptical of if we will ever really "get there".
Janelle,
Yes, Dove has created an exceptional campaign. I'm glad you think so too. I agree with you in that each one of us is unique on purpose. We each offer something that makes us who we are. It's just a shame that we ladies ,myself included, don't always look at ourselves that way. It's interesting to wonder if that is the media's fault, out own fault, or just human nature. I don't know.
Abbey,
Yes I think Dove did a good job on their campaign. I know you chose that for one of your case studies.
I think you are right when you say women are almost expected to get a job in today's society. I too think the jobs that where once separated by genders are also nonexistent today. We saw that exemplified in this year's election.
Emily,
I agree that teenage girls are especially vulnerable. They are in the middle of building a self concept. I think one of the problems is that, though older woman are not exempt from the messages the media sends, a grown woman is not as vulnerable as a teenager.
I remember being a pudgy teenager and feeling so incredibly awkward. I think that Dove has made huge strides in trying to change that with their campaign for real beauty, but, unfortunately I don't think that the "skinny" ideal will completely go away anytime soon. I do hope however, more companies will join with Dove to teach girls to be happy with who they are, because I think that young girls are the ones who are most effected by it.
I really love this campaign. I feel like with all the emphasis in our society to be so thin, its refreshing to see something a little different. Its amazing, the other day I was watching I Love Lucy (so funny) and she mentioned that she was a size 12. Size 12 was normal and average and nowadays these sized girls feel like they are bigger. Its just sad thats what we have come to because curves are sexy and I look forward to the day we all get back to that mindset.
Meghan,
I totally agree that it's the young girls who suffer. I also think you are correct when you say you don't think "skinny" will ever be completely gone.
Ashley,
WOW that's so interesting. I never knew there was a time when size 12 was considered "normal" by societies standards. Thanks for the comment.
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