Analysis of the Ways in Which Males and Females Are Depicted In Magazine Advertisements

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Analysis of the Ways in Which Males and Females Are Depicted In Magazine Advertisements
Advertising is a significant driving force of socialization in societies. Both men and women are depicted differently in terms of society attitudes and their social status. Magazine advertisements display images of both males and female differently. Usually, fashion magazines portray men and women with stereotypes; females are placed in submissive roles, while men are depicted to be more concerned with their occupations and are more likely to be successful. Fashion magazines like Vogue show a female model from behind portraying her as an object; her face is not shown. The emphasis of the picture is on her body. This is different from other general audience magazines like the times that emphasize on staying healthy. Fashion magazines portray women in lower positions, making them look inferior with little social power. In other fashion magazines like Elle, female models wear short dresses that are revealing, exposing most of their body parts. Fashion magazines also portray men as sexually appealing, authority figures as compared to women.
Contrarily, general interest magazines portray women in more modern roles. Magazines that are not focused on fashion like household magazines portray women in a less sexualized manner because of the wider target audiences. Owing to increased awareness, magazine advertisements have reconsidered how they represent both men and women. Magazine advertising in the 19th century depicted both men and women in more prominent roles. Women were portrayed as career-oriented people with more outdoor roles. This situation can be attributed to the increased awarenes...