Advertising to the Modern Man

Then there's women looking at pornography which degrades men and their body image.

Nice blog. I just bookmarked you on my bloglines.

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In truth, immediately i didn?t understand it. But after re-reading I think i understand

Great information, I just bookmarked you.

Thank you, I was a single parent of 2 boys. I had no child support and 3 jobs at times to keep a roof over our heads. Maybe, your message will reach a soul

Personally, I think that a lot of these advertisements are quiet infuriating to me personally. A lot of times, I feel like advertisements need to portray men not as a stereotype, and look at the whole picture.

Now here's a huge problem regarding the the end of your post. If there was an organization that actually did something about this; I'm afraid they would be seen as "complaining that men where being treated unfairly." and would be laughed at. I believe that would be that case simply because the common person only hears about women being treated unfairly, and would probably believe that the inverse is impossible.

Well, that's all that I have to say for now. PS I just found this blog today and have taken a liking to it; so in the words of Arnold: I'll be back...

I don't think anybody likes to be stereotyped, but that what we all do to each other most of the time. We live in area's where we can relate with the culture, we tend to judge anyone who enters our area that might have a different point of view . . . . etc. I could go on like this for ever. But the truth is, at least in my humble opinion, it's all written in the Bible. "There is nothing new under the sun". We, myself included continue to make the same mistakes over and over, and we live in a society that is capitalist. Not that I have a better way in mind of governing our country. But you know, the one thing we all have but tend not to use correctly is, "Freedom of Choice". We can turn the channel or simple turn the TV off or put down the magazine we're thumbing through that has the adds we find offensive. But instead of doing this, we come to places like this, or stand around the office coffee pot and bitch about these things, or sometimes even laugh at them. You got to admit, from a comedy standpoint, some of this stuff, especially the sitcoms, is very funny. They are designed to appeal to a certain audience. If your not one of them turn it off. Truth is the reason these aids and TV shows are common place, is because demographic studies show they are the most watched. You do the math.

This is an important post. I hope advertisers, marketers, and change agents are listening. If you decide to move ahead, please do keep us updated. I'd like to support your efforts.

It's high time for real heroes to be represented in the media - men who are strong, capable, intelligent, and committed to their wives and families.

I totally agree with you on this. It's up to us to redefine what manhood today really means - not just for us, but for all boys today.

I wrote a post after watching the Go Daddy ads during the Super Bowl: http://sahdinlansing.com/a-tale-of-two-daddys/

Glad to find your blog!

It is tedious but much of this happens because it is easier to go with tried and true than to pave new ground.

I am not sure what Superbowl Commercials you are referring to but sometimes, most times really, I think the commercials know there is a neandertal joke there and they let us in on it.

There is nothing wrong with breast staring.

I'm going to have to say my hubby does fit 1 stereotype-- the breast staring. But to be fair, I'm pregnant for the first time and this is the most wild science experiment we have ever done.

I'm sure he'd be happy to write a blog post about REAL men, but he's too busy being the fearless leader of our little kingdom.

My dad got a kick out of the Super Bowl commercials. So much so that my mom called to tell me about it. He has a classic Dodge Challenger so the engine roaring, anti-wife statements in that advert got a standing ovation. That's a generation when it was "normal" to slap the flight attendant/ admin assistant (always female) on the butt and ask for coffee.

Misogyny is out of style. Advertisers know that women are responsible for 80% + of the spending in a married household. I'd much rather buy a product advertised for a man who is a full time dad, full time provider, full time Prince Charming (which is the reality I enjoy living in) than some body wash to rinse away my "nagging."

My husband can fix a car, change a diaper, steam the carpets, re-shingle a roof... and no one has to "nag" him or bring him a beer to do it. This generation of men don't want to be the butt slapping, starched suit wearing, professionally drinking, 15 hour work day, absentee fathers their dads were. They *like* being with their wives and children.

Maybe you could start a facebook group. I agree, I'm a little tired of being characterized as a Neanderthal. It's just stereotypes, but if it gets repeated enough then people start thinking it's the norm rather than the exception.

Totally agree. This is something we dads have to take the initiative on. We need to promote and talk about it more on our blogs.

It's funny, this topic has been swirling all over the internet this week on a lot of guys' blogs (mine included) which is fantastic to see.

One book I might suggest is "Packaging Boyhood." Really eyeopening on how marketers and the media are shaping the image of men in the eyes of boys.

Good post!

While neither husband nor father, I agree that you're dead on with wanting advertising that depicts REAL men rather than brainless tough guys or emasculated ninnies.

You might be surprised to know that many women are tired of not only those ads but also the ridiculous sitcoms that have husbands looking more like barbarians or weanies than the strong, loving, FAITHFUL men we know in reality.

I don't have what you would refer to as "proof" of this statement's validity, so take it for what it's worth. I think that advertisers who choose to depict men as mindless sex addicts in their ads (even if they are for male products) are not targeting the enlightened young male market segment. My guess would be that they are in fact targeting wives who find the stereotype comical, or perhaps even the unfortunate ladies who identify with that model.

Again, just my .02.