WAMPOW - Women Against the Media's Portrayal of Women

THE LETTER CAMPAIGN: Women make up 53% of our population and do the majority of the shopping and spending. We are the primary targets of the media blitz promoting sexuality and the ideal of thinness - and the ones harmed by it. Through our buying power we can force a change!!!!

There are many products whose advertising is offensive and there are also many products that by their very nature may fall into the realm of generating poor self esteem and body image for girls in particular (for example, most fashion magazines). If you, as a woman shopper, are upset and offended by the advertising or products you see- DON'T BUY THEM. But, you must make sure you let each company know your reasons for not purchasing their products.

Of course it is up to each individual woman which ads and products are offensive or upsetting enough to justify a letter and a product boycott. However, WAMPOW and our supporters have provided some suggestions Please see our "offenders" page and let WAMPOW know of any ads that should be included.

LET THESE COMPANIES HEAR YOUR OPINION!!! For help in writing complaint letters - http://www.writeexpress.com/complaint-letters.html Or http://consumerist.com/consumer/howto/howto-draft-a-good-complaint-letter-205899.php or http://www.badads.org/letter.shtml and also see the sample letters below.

SIGN A PETITION: http://www.ipetitions.com/campaigns/Portrayal ipetitions - "Today, women are bombarded by thousands of media images on a daily basis. These images suggest that women are beautiful only if they are thin, pretty, and culturally accepted. Research shows that the effects of this are surfacing in the increasing prevalence of plastic surgery, eating disorders, and low self-esteem in our country today. Young girls already feel the influence as well, citing a desire to diet as early as second grade. Eating disorders are the most fatal of all mental illnesses, yet magazines, commercials, television shows, and other media continue to promote them by portraying thin as beautiful. Women are often depicted as objects to look at, not humans to be respected. The deleterious effects of unrealistic images on future generations of girls will only worsen as time goes on. The perpetuation of such dangerous standards through generations will only strengthen them. Young women should not have be consumed by anxiety over weight and looks, but instead deserve a worry-free childhood and the confidence to pursue goals in more valuable aspects of life. We request equal treatment of women in the media. That is, we instead call for the representation of a variety of women that have different body shapes and ethnic backgrounds, in addition to, representation of these women as equally good, strong, and deserving of respect. By supporting the above cause and signing below, you will assist in bringing a sound case to the United States Government." (Quoted from the ipetitions site.)

DO BOYCOTTS WORK? DOES WRITING AND CALLING WORK? YOU BET IT DOES....

SAMPLE LETTERS

To the Editor:

I was deeply disappointed yesterday [Tuesday, Nov. 18, p. 10] to find that The Tech allowed an ad to run that was blatantly degrading to women and, I think, damaging to the MIT community. The large ad for Virgin Mobile showed a photo of the lower half of a naked woman holding a small cell phone box that barely covered her private area. The ad read "A gift from somewhere near the heart."

Not only is this ad in bad taste, but the message it sends is harmful -- that it is okay to view and treat women like objects or products to be consumed, like a cell phone). I can think of no good reason that a photo of a mostly naked woman -- especially one with such blatant sexual content -- should be allowed to run in a school newspaper. By publishing this ad, The Tech is contributing to the misconception that it is okay to view women only through a sexual lens.

I recognize that many ads misuse sexuality and images of women's bodies to sell products (which is a problem in and of itself), but this ad takes this problem to an unacceptable level of demoralization. I expect The Tech to act in its role as a service to the MIT community and be more responsible in accepting ads. Please remove this ad and any others like it from your publication. -
Cristie Cowles Charles

I write regarding both the Sept. 4 and 11 issues of the Gauntlet, specifically about the "University of Whiskey" ad on pages 19 and 18 of those respective issues.

The link between sex and alcohol has been made in many forms of advertising and many media. However, the button in this ad puts it beyond the grey area usually occupied by sexually objectifying ads. It says, "Get me drunk and then see what happens." This suggests a dangerous message: "Women, once they're drunk, will, and should, put out. All men have to do to get some action is buy a woman a few drinks. If they're too cheap to do that, hey, just buy one and slip her some Rohypnol."

This laughs at the issue of choice. Everyone has made some dumb choices while drunk. However, this ad says that drunk women relinquish not only their ability but their right to choose, and that this should be exploited by men, who are stereotyped as potential (hetero-) sexual predators. Ads like this promote the idea that, no matter what a woman's brain is doing or mouth is saying, her body is there for the taking.

Date rape is a serious problem. Lots of research deals with images of women in advertising as it relates to women's actual self-image. Generally, it finds objectifying images of women (like this one, and other ads run in the Gauntlet) promote a lack of confidence, especially in young (high school and university age) women.

And what of guys, who are also impressionable? Do images like this lead them to feel entitled to sex with a girl whose drinks they bought? If so, no wonder there's harassment, pressure to consent to sex, and an increasing instance of date rape. Is that okay with you? - Emily Elder

To: Coors Brewing Company

I am an avid beer drinker and used to enjoy Coors regularly. However, I recently saw and was deeply offended by your ads with the scantily clothed women playing in the snow and the ads about the twins. What do almost naked women have to do with beer? The ads about the "twins" are really ridiculous, because of the slang used for breasts. As a woman, I am sick and tired of being forced to see other woman peddling products with their silicone pumped bodies, fake tans, and dyed hair. Again I ask, what do these women have to do with beer?

I will no longer buy your products until your advertising campaign changes. And in case one consumer doesn't matter to you, you should know Coors is being featured as a product to boycott on a website called WAMPOW, and is also featured in about-face.org. Both of these organizations are supporting woman to say enough is enough to sexualized advertising. I hope you will choose not to alienate women who are 53% of the American population with your advertising. Try selling your beer based on the quality of the beer rather than the pretty girls you can afford to have undress for the camera.

Sign here

_____________________________________________________________

Dear ________

As a capable, successful woman, who does the household purchasing with both her own money and also much of her husbands money, I am aware of the power I have with my purchasing dollar. I am extremely tired of being sold products by scantily clothed woman, or with sex, or with images that are degrading and often suggest an imbalance of power between men and women. There are so many images out there that are harmful to women's self esteem, and more importantly to young girls as they grow and develop and are negatively influenced by these images. I will therefore never purchase this product, or any other made by your company until you create a more socially responsible line of advertising. I am also sending your ad to be included on the website WAMPOW. org, (Women against the Medias Portrayal of Women) to be highlighted as a product to boycott. Women are 53% of the population and spend the majority of the money in this country. Therefore I sincerely hope that you choose not to alienate more than half of your potential customers, and quickly make a change in your advertising.

Sincerely,

Sign here

Dear _________

I have been a loyal customer for years but was recently terribly disappointed when I saw your advertisement that ... (describe the ad). I realize that perhaps the ad was intended to demonstrate....(describe the way the ad might have been intended...mystery, intrigue, desire, etc) However, to women this ad is saying ( describe what you think.... successful woman must be thin and pretty, or women are not capable or effective, or that women need men, or that we must be submissive, or are objects for men to use or that we are just a combination of parts for men to oogle at- etc.). It is very difficult for women in our society to maintain a healthy and positive self-image, in part because we are continually bombarded with images such as your ad. Eating disorders are rising at an alarming rate and even very young girls are dissatisfied with their appearance and are dieting. (You may want to insert some statistics from the facts page here) As I assume women make up a large portion of your buyers, I would hope that you do not wish to offend them or harm them and will therefore seek to rectify this situation by removing this line of advertising for your product. Until you do so I will no longer purchase any of your products, and I will be telling all of the women I know to do the same. In addition, I will send your ad to WAMPOW.org to be highlighted for a product boycott by all women nationwide.

Sign here

To whom it may concern:

Please be advised that I will no longer be using your products and will be asking others to boycott them as well, due to your advertising campaigns. Your television commercials and print advertisements portray women as being unrealistically thin and airbrush-perfect, potentially contributing to the rise in eating disorders, cosmetic surgical procedures, and unhealthy exercise habits amongst the female population of this country. The majority of real women do not look this way; it is unhealthy and unnecessary for women and young girls to feel likethis is to be the objective. Your advertising tactics are dangerous because they encourage dangerous behavior. Reconsider your approach if you wish to regain my monetary support.

5/31/2010

To whom it may concern:

Please be advised that I will no longer be using your products and will be asking others to boycott them as well, due to your advertising campaigns. Your television commercials and print advertisements for the new Schick Quattro "trim" shaver are not only offensive and sexist, but inappropriate; I believe these types of products potentially contribute to the rise in making women feel that shaving their pubic hair into pretty girly designs, is the key to keeping their men happy and satisfied, is horrendous. It sends a message that appearances are everything and a well manicured "bush" is highly important and desirable, while looking natural is unattractive and a turn off to men. The only grown men who might find heart shaped pubic hair appealing are pedophiles and rapists.

Furthermore in the print ads I’ve come across the cut-out stencils you provide for women to use for shaving. This is offensive and disgusting. Telling them to “use eye liner” to trace around the shape before trimming is just wrong in so many ways. Why do women need to shave their pubic hair in little girl designs such as a heart, an arrow ("this way for fun") or a "landing strip" ("he'll be playing pilot all night")? Why would a company like yours use such abhorrent and sexist language and images? The TV ads showing the different manicured "bushes" that appear in front of the woman pubic area are absurd and again, offensive. Using a "bush" as an example of a woman public hair area is outrageous, as is the term "trim" which is commnly used by teanage boys when talking about vaginas. Also, on an entirely separate note, why is this product not also directed towards men? Is it because only females should be concerned with having their vaginas look more appealing to men in order to keep them around? What, men do not need to groom as well? They do, TRUST me!! Why aren’t men required to go these efforts to make their privates more appealing? Is hair manly?

The majority of real women do not have heart designs shaved into their public hair; it is unhealthy and unnecessary for women and young girls to feel like this is the norm. Your advertising tactics are irresponsible and down right sickening. I would hope that you do not wish to offend them or harm them (which you are doing) and will therefore seek to rectify this situation by removing this line of advertising for your product. Or, better yet, create an equally offensive product like this for men, as they to should be included in this pathetic campaign. Until you do so I will no longer purchase any of your products, and I will be telling all of the women I know to do the same. In addition, I will send your ad to WAMPOW.org to be highlighted for a product boycott by all women nationwide.

Sincerely,
Janna M. Pitts