There's been a lot of fuss about the new "Got milk?" ads, which claim that milk eases PMS symptoms—thus making your wife or girlfriend slightly less of a crazy, irrational bitch every month. The work is intentionally provocative—some say irredeemably sexist. But to put that sexism in context, check out the 10 TV spots below—from the 1950s to today—which are all, to a greater or lesser degree, anti-woman (or anti-girl). A lot has changed in 50 years—the Folgers spot seems like something from an alternate universe today. Yet there's been a seesaw effect, too. As advertising has become less blatantly sexist, more ads than ever are being called sexist. So, where's the line? Leave your thoughts in the comments.
- Allstate
Click to view Let's start off mild. This Allstate "Mayhem" spot is more anti-youth than anti-girl, but it certainly paints a bleak picture of your average female teenager. She's vicious, boy-obsessed, "emotionally compromised" and flat-out hell on wheels.
- Dodge
Click to view Dodge's pro-male manifesto, which aired during the 2010 Super Bowl, came off as almost completely anti-female. In a world full of horrible nagging women and their endless demands, Dodge is "man's last stand."
- Axe
Click to view The core message of Axe's marketing worldwide is that women are unthinking animals who can't resist the scent of an alpha male (cosmetically engineered though he may be). The epic "Billions" spot, featuring wild packs of women in bikinis, just took it a bit further—suggesting that's true of every woman alive.
- Nando's
Click to view This ridiculously insulting South African commercial presents a fantastically stupid woman who can't find the french fries on her plate—because they're obscured by her enormous breasts. The ad was pulled after complaints.
- Bud Light
Click to view How can a woman make her marriage work? By doing all the chores, leaving her husband free to hang out with his friends, and frequently surprising him with cases of Bud Light. Something to think about on your wedding day.
- Hasbro's Rose Petal Cottage
Click to view It's best to teach girls early on that their proper place is in the kitchen—that is, when they're not in the laundry room. Thanks, Hasbro's Rose Petal Cottage!
- Mercedes
Click to view This idiotic Mercedes commercial is literally an ancient blonde joke brought to life.
- Folgers
Click to view The final three ads, beginning with this Folgers spot, are from a different era—a time when sexism was so ingrained as to be unremarkable. In Folgers' world, all women had to do was make coffee for their husbands—and they were usually shitty at that.
- National Airlines
Click to view In the early '70s, National Airlines (later merged into Pan Am) launched its "Fly Me" campaign, in which the aircraft were given female names and the flight attendants starred in the advertising. See, you didn't just ride on the airplane; you got to ride the stewardess as well.
- Goodyear
Click to view It's good to have quality tires on your car. But when your wife is behind the wheel? God, it's a necessity. Just look at the way she drives—all confused and overwhelmed and driving into potholes. What a useless and stupid woman!
After the jump:
People don't talk much about anti-male sexism in advertising—mostly because it sounds like whining, and also because it's so common. The bumbling man is an archetypal advertising character. Here are a few of the more notable examples.
- Combos
Click to view If your mom were a man, you'd basically be screwed.
- Pizza Hut
Click to view Hey, look at Dad. What a moron, he can't cook.
- Roomba
Click to view Your filthy, lazy husband is a complete ass. Literally.
- Oven Pride
Click to view Men can't clean the kitchen either. Look at this fucking imbecile!
Click to view Let's start off mild. This Allstate "Mayhem" spot is more anti-youth than anti-girl, but it certainly paints a bleak picture of your average female teenager. She's vicious, boy-obsessed, "emotionally compromised" and flat-out hell on wheels.
Click to view Dodge's pro-male manifesto, which aired during the 2010 Super Bowl, came off as almost completely anti-female. In a world full of horrible nagging women and their endless demands, Dodge is "man's last stand."
Click to view The core message of Axe's marketing worldwide is that women are unthinking animals who can't resist the scent of an alpha male (cosmetically engineered though he may be). The epic "Billions" spot, featuring wild packs of women in bikinis, just took it a bit further—suggesting that's true of every woman alive.
Click to view This ridiculously insulting South African commercial presents a fantastically stupid woman who can't find the french fries on her plate—because they're obscured by her enormous breasts. The ad was pulled after complaints.
Click to view How can a woman make her marriage work? By doing all the chores, leaving her husband free to hang out with his friends, and frequently surprising him with cases of Bud Light. Something to think about on your wedding day.
Click to view It's best to teach girls early on that their proper place is in the kitchen—that is, when they're not in the laundry room. Thanks, Hasbro's Rose Petal Cottage!
Click to view This idiotic Mercedes commercial is literally an ancient blonde joke brought to life.
Click to view The final three ads, beginning with this Folgers spot, are from a different era—a time when sexism was so ingrained as to be unremarkable. In Folgers' world, all women had to do was make coffee for their husbands—and they were usually shitty at that.
Click to view In the early '70s, National Airlines (later merged into Pan Am) launched its "Fly Me" campaign, in which the aircraft were given female names and the flight attendants starred in the advertising. See, you didn't just ride on the airplane; you got to ride the stewardess as well.
Click to view It's good to have quality tires on your car. But when your wife is behind the wheel? God, it's a necessity. Just look at the way she drives—all confused and overwhelmed and driving into potholes. What a useless and stupid woman!
Click to view If your mom were a man, you'd basically be screwed.
Click to view Hey, look at Dad. What a moron, he can't cook.
Click to view Your filthy, lazy husband is a complete ass. Literally.
Click to view Men can't clean the kitchen either. Look at this fucking imbecile!
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