Killing Me Loudly

How Advertising Stereotypes Destroy Men and How We Can Stop Them

Thomas McCloskey

Death in America

4-21-04

Women as a Counter-Point

• Passive

Over-Sexualized

Implications of Women Being Labeled

• Entrenches Gender Roles• Creates Expectation for Male Behavior• Demands Male Sexualization

How Men are Labeled:

• Active

--Handsome, Fit

Aggressive

--Sexually --Behaviorally

Implications of Male Stereotypes:

• Unhealthy body images– 25% of all those suffering from eating disorders are men (Anderson).

• Spousal Abuse—More than half of married women will experience some form of physical abuse during their marriage (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence).

• Low Self-Esteem– Because advertising creates expectations for male behavior, any man who deviates from these norms is made to feel inadequate.

Efforts to Combat Male Stereotypes:

• Metrosexual Movement

Metrosexuality:• “An urban male with a strong aesthetic sense who

spends a great deal of time and money on his appearance and lifestyle” (WordSpy)

Rejects male stereotypes by:--Highlighting effeminate men--Demonstrating alternative male behavior --Rejecting gender roles

The New Phallocriticism

• Masculine studies are experiencing a boom.• More studies and papers have been

presented in the last ten years than ever before (Traister).

• Men are developing a critical eye towards advertisements which limits their influence.

What YOU can do!!!

• Reject gender roles and expectations

• Include men in sexuality and body image discussions and movements

• Do not judge men for looking how they want