Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty emphasizes the constant pressures that women encounter on a day to day basis. Dove launched this campaign in 2004 globally to challenge beauty standards. Their goal was to transform beauty from a source of anxiety to confidence. This commercial, "Beauty Pressures", provoked debate about todays beauty standards. "Beauty Pressures" begins with the camera zoomed in on an innocent little girl. The scene switches of snapshots of skinny, half naked models promoting clothing and diet products. The scene progresses towards dieting, working out, and plastic surgery. When viewing this commercial, we recommend watching it more then once to fully capture the message. Do you think it is even possible to prevent todays beauty industry from influencing the youth?
Mariah Scott, Jessica Salazar, Brandon Rouhier, Ali Roudebush
That is a powerful video, it sends people the message that today's youth have so many pressures (especially media) and as parents their really isnt much you can do because marketing techniques have become so advanced as well.
ReplyDeleteAnother interesting part was the music in the beginning "here it comes", it made it sound like you were on the top of valley on a rollercoaster and are about to approach a 50 foot drop, HERE IT COMES!! In a way like it is too much to handle and you scream from the "ride".
One thing I disagree with Nick is the fact that parents can't do much because the marketing has advanced so much. If parents could not do anything about their children, why would Dove make a commercial for parents to reach out to their children? I think that as long as parents reach out to their children early that the children will be fine. This goes along with what Dove is saying.
DeleteNick, I think that's a good point; the video almost gives you a suspense as you watch the camera slowly roll past the girl. But before you can even gather enough thoughts as to what is going on, the timeline of pictures flows by suggesting that the media and things surrounding her will get to her before we've had a chance to talk to her our selves.
DeleteI agree with Nick, that this video is extremely powerful, in that it highlights all of the marketing strategies that are used these days. It is great how when edited together, its clear that children are being exposed to so many self esteem ruining ads. I also like how they say, "here it comes" right before it drops into the fast montage of every commercial and ad for the body.
ReplyDeleteI noticed how wide open the girl's eyes were, which really highlights how children are completely exposed to anything that appears on television. It makes a point at the end and says that parents need to get through to their children before the commercials do. Children absorb everything that they see and negative body images can easily become normal for them, unless they get the positive side of it at home.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that kids are exposed to more than we originally think. Whether we realize that kids are absorbing these messages or not, they are surrounded by images constantly telling them how to look or act, and that doesn't go unnoticed.
DeleteI agree with Betsy. Children these days are exposed to so many negative influences and media outputs that are telling them how they should live, dress, eat, and act. I also agree with the statement that children absorb everything they see because they are constantly looking towards others to see how they should be. It has always been this way but recently children have been exposed to many more forms of media rather than the old fashioned way of only being exposed to the actions of their family and friends. I believe this is both good and bad as many good things can result from exposing children to the "real" world, but even more bad things can happen
DeleteGreat analysis guys! Now I ask, is there anyway to prevent our youth from this negativity?
DeleteThis ad campaign brings up a major issue that is facing the generations that are growing up in this media oriented society. In every type of media kids younger and younger are being exposed to the beauty pressures that are put on by ad campaigns. This psa is sent to target an audience of mom's looking to protect their kids from falling prey to society norms. Dove wants a light shined on the standards that are being put on young girls.
ReplyDeleteI agree that this ad brings up a major issue on the medias influence on the younger generation. The countless advertisements supporting skinny, slim bodies being modeled by super thin supermodels gives the wrong image to young people. I also agree wit Regan on the fact that this psa is reaching out to the mother's of the young kids falling prey to the beauty industry.
DeleteI thought this was a very effective commercial that has a good message. I thought its presentation was excellent as well. At first the ad seems peaceful and happy with the close up of little girl smiling, but as the word onslaught forewarns, we are hit with a quickly changing series of clips. All of these clips display the critical, harsh views on what beauty is in our country. It seemed the clips focused most specifically on the constant change we try to put our bodies through, either from plastic surgery, dieting, or the countless other ways people try to make themselves "perfect" and "beautiful" in our society.
ReplyDeleteThis message that girls need to be aware of the beauty pressures, focuses solely on the interface. The interface is what truly gets the message across that young girls are being exposed to negative influences that can affect their bodies. The video starts with a young beautiful girl whose beauty is purely natural, and then shows older girls who have had “enhancements” or who are unnaturally skinny. The purpose of rapidly showing a lot of pictures proves the point that young girls are being exposed to an enormous amount of media that influences how they believe they should look. We are all exposed to images like those displayed in the video more than we realize. Almost every form of media shows a really skinny person and highlights products that allow the person to capture the look of what society believes is beautiful. Little girls see these ads all over the media and believe this is how they should look. They create this idea in their head that this is what they are expected to look like to live up to societies standards.
ReplyDeleteMedia encourages girls to look like this and corporations have taken advantage of this by focusing on targeting pre-teens. Last year, tweens spent alone $24 million on beauty products.
The interface further proves the central theme that young girls are being influenced by the media more than we realize. I like how at the end it encourages parents to get involved, because they are truly the ones who can shape a young girl’s ideas and values that beauty is not product or sexually driven.
Great response Ashley. Do you think these same messages apply to young boys too? Or is this advertisement along with the media in society only appealing to young girls and women? Why do you think this ad only focuses on women?
DeleteThat is a very valid question Ali. I think the media does have an impact on males, but not to the extent as it does with females. Most beauty products pertain mostly to females although there are exceptions. I think most media geared towards males focus on products that extend beyond physical appearance. The media tries to show that males should have the perfect build, but that is about it. The media may attempt to have an influence on males as well, but it is definitely not as noticeable as it is with females. This ad probably focuses exclusively on females because the creators probably realize that the media does not play as big of a role in males’ lives.
DeleteI agree with Regan that medias influence on how girls believe they should look is a major issue in today’s society. Products are being targeted towards girls younger and younger each year. Almost a year ago, a padded bikini top was sold by Abercrombie and Fitch to seven and eight year olds. Twenty years ago, this type of product would have never even been thought of. With the increase in media exposure and a more sexualized idea of beauty, this type of product seemed only natural for Abercrombie to sell. When young girls see these products, they believe that their natural beauty is not good enough and beauty can only be achieved through products and enhancements. I also agree that the audience is parents. The video directly points to parents to take charge and make sure their child does not fall victim to the beauty pressures.
ReplyDeleteEven though is directed towards parents, they are the ones that condone a lot of the clothing and beauty products that young girls wear and use. Sometimes the parents themselves, especially the mothers, are even subjected themselves to the beauty pressure and are therefore setting examples for their kids.
DeleteI found this advertisement extremely effective. It not only addresses the concept of the beauty industry effecting America, but how we can change it. It focuses on the audience that these "beauty ads" are focusing on. If we can stop the misunderstanding at the source, we can help make American's more aware of the false ideas that ads present. This is the first ad or article I have read that actually gives a solution to this growing problem.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good point, Ian. The advertisement yields a solution instead of merely stating the problems. The media propaganda affects many because they are unaware of the bias that is present in these billboards, ads, etc. All it takes is confidence and knowing that the only person who matters when judging your physical appearance is that person alone. The solution of parents hitting this idea home to their children is certainly a step in the right direction.
DeleteI agree that the beauty industry is having a profound effect on America. As Ian said the fact that a solution is presented makes this advertisement especially effective. I also think that Adam made a great point that most people are completely clueless to the extreme biases they see everyday, and if this knowledge increases, the effect the beauty industry has will diminish.
DeleteThis advertisement is clearly reaching out to the parents of the young people in society that are falling prey to the beauty industry. The advertisements are of half naked models that seems to send the wrong image to young people. The beauty industry is trying to convince the young people that a skinny, sexy body is the only way to be happy. The advertisement brings up a very serious issue that should be addressed.
ReplyDeleteThe video is a great example of an effort to prevent physical concern for females. By showing the women going to plastic surgery, measuring their weight, taking pills, and billboard advertisement, the advertisement brings up a majority of the certain pressures one may feel from society. The clips go by at a fast pace, serving to show the intense manner of how fast and deep the pressures can form for a woman regarding her physical appearance. It sends a great message at the end that this can be prevented if parents simply tell their children at an early age that their child should not feel worried about his or her looks based on the media's portrayal.
ReplyDeleteI think it is interesting how you point out that everything moves so fast in the video, and how it is reflective of the pressures in today's society. This did not cross my mind, but you are definitely right, it gives a little feel into just how uptight the environment is making people more so than it would if it merely listed the problems. The fast-paced video makes the viewer feel like there is so much going on at once, which can be stressful.
DeleteI think the video makes a great point about the pressures that the media puts on children and how susceptible they are to believing those messages that are presented to them. I also think it's slightly ironic how dove is telling parents to talk to their kids before the beauty industry does when they are part of that same industry. However, they seem to be encouraging parents to help their kids make good decisions when it comes to their bodies and their futures. The video's speed reinforces this by reminding parents that their kids aren't going to be kids forever and what the parents do now will have a tremendous effect on their children.
ReplyDeleteThe interface of this particular video is very powerful because it gives meaning to the entire commercial. The video shows the impact media has on society today while suggesting that parents should talk with their children about beauty before they get the wrong idea from the media. The video suggests that the media yields overwhelming control over our society and that it influences the youth more than anyone. Dove presents an interesting argument that many people rarely think about. People, parents especially, should think about the role media plays in their lives. This commercial allows viewers to reflect on this idea while suggesting that we need to protect the youth from the excesses of media. The commercial is very powerful and sends a great message to caring parents.
ReplyDeleteI think this video is really interesting not only by its message, but how it presents it and who presents it. Many people would think since Dove could be considered a beauty product, that it would not give a message like this. Dove presented this video by providing various images of how society pressures the young to have the "perfect body." With this said, the images and clips become progressively worst. It goes from images of models, to diet products, to eating disorders, and then plastic surgery. Therefore, not only does this video demonstrate that the media is affecting children, but it shows what exactly is affecting them and how disturbing some of the messages are.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with Melissa on this one. I found it extremely interesting how the ad presented the message. It seemed like the pictures and images were "flying" at you and were completely unavoidable. I think they purposefully did this to help get the point across. However, I can't decide how effective this method truly is.
DeleteI like the overall goal that Dove set for the beauty industry. It really does go against what pretty much every company is doing to promote they're product (And what can make people feel bad about themselves). I think it will benefit them, because it is a great way to connect to the audience; Dove is reaching out and showing empathy with audience because they know how today's pressures make people so apprehensive.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Bryan because he states how peaceful the girl is in the beginning and then she gets rushed with all this data, and at the end it shows her innocent again, so this can be prevented if the parents stop her from getting too involved with the media.
ReplyDeleteDove's campaign video presents an unnerving assumption that is overly stressed in today's society: that physical appearance and beauty are expected necessities. The way Dove transitions from the innocent image of the young girl to the overwhelming onslaught of media portayals of beauty shows the harrassment of culture today; the presence of so many images of falsified "perfect women" could easily shape the youth's vision of the ideal woman, mostly due to the intenstiy and surprise factor of it all. It creates almost a "deer-in-the-headlights" affect: once it comes at you straightforward, you're blinded and can't help but become affixed on the oncoming force. So many marketing firms in the industry take advantage of this weakness and play upon the insecurities of developing young women; with all the hubbub over self-esteem and self-image, it is certainly a "cheap" way to make a profit. Dove's video shows just how advertisements made to support well-being are instead creating degrading indifference towards natural beauty.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sarah's comment that the transitions in this video are a little stereotypical in it's expectations. The video is typical with what young girls are used to watching. This applies to the viewers sense of pathos more than anything else. But, like Sarah said, Dove promotes well being over beauty.
DeleteIn response to Mariah's comment, there are still ways, I believe, to protect youth from these negative influences. If parents establish the significance of natural beauty in their child at a young age, they will likely not be affected as much by these negative images. Building self-esteem and self-confidence in one's image can lessen the chances of persuasion from this diminishing marketing strategy. Also, if the media were to publish advertisments and images with a more diverse set of models, such as larger models, colored models, and nonsexualized models, there would not be as much pressure to conform to such a false idea of perfection.
ReplyDeleteThe video definitely got the point across that this world is overwhelmed with beauty pressure with the gobs of products and beauty ads. It's pretty ridiculous how much people spend on beauty products compared to other expenditures and necessities.
ReplyDeleteI think this video is adding to the problem that kids are supposed to live up to a certain standard and look a certain way. However, Dove isn't a company that makes "beauty" products. At the end of the day, Dove makes soap and not make up or diet pills so it's not too much of a hazard to young viewers.
ReplyDeleteI think that this video is not only suggesting to "talk to your daughter before the beauty industry does" and that it's all gloom and doom, but also suggesting just how much our beauty industry flings into our faces. All the things flashing by suggest the many options that this girl is faced to deal with and what she may choose. The video does end in the fact that we should talk to our daughters before the rest of the world, basically, does. I think it's cool that there are some companies that actually are aware of this and that it isn't some mindless revolution of power occurring.
ReplyDeleteI feel that this video is a gold mine for analysis. It does such a great job of grabbing the viewers attention and connecting to their emotions. I believe it makes the viewer think about their own children and how they are being constantly pulled toward negative influences. I really enjoyed this video as it accurately portrayed the influence the media has on today's children.
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