Europe banning sexist ads - just another Euromythe

Joe Hennon, Euromyth Fighter, commentng recent press releases on "European Parliament resolution of 3 September 2008 on how marketing and advertising affect equality between women and men." (2008/2038(INI))

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• europe
• sexist
• advertising
• banned
• banning
• Joe
• Hennon
• Euromyth
• fighter
• equality
• women
• men

[ZorraThinkTank]

In this video clip Joe Hennon denies that Europe is banning advertising that is sexist or that reinforces gender stereotyping, "like women always in the kitchen".

Though, point 26 of the adopted text by the parliament "Emphasises that gender stereotypes must be eliminated". Okay, the parliament doesn't use the verb "to ban" but "to eliminate". Yeah, right, what's in a name?

[ZorraThinkTank]

Furthermore, the definition of gender stereotyping in advertising as "Women cleaning the kitchen, men polishing their cars" can be found on the website of the Euro parliament itself, in a news article. How to make sense out of that? First creating myths and than fighting it? Wow, great, pyromyths at work ;-)

[ZorraThinkTank]

I would have preferred the use of the verb "to challenge" gender stereotypes. It leaves room for advertisers to play with gender stereotypes in their ads, reverse them and even make fun of them. And by doing so, revealing to consumers what gender stereotypes really are: generalizations about men and women that are based on limited, and most of the time, inaccurate information.

[ZorraThinkTank]

Therefore, point 22 of the adopted text sounds as music in our Belgian ears, that member states should establish awards for "advertising which best breaks with gender stereotypes and presents a positive or affirming image of women and men and of the relations between them"... as we in Belgium/Flanders established such an Award already since 1999. Because of fund cut, the last Award was organised in 2006.

[foxlevi]

I think that it's kinda funny that while he say's that the EU isn't banning sexist ads like women always being shown in the kitchen that he is in fact standing in a kitchen.

[DefenderOfTheEU]

Love this. You should do more videos like this.