I recently received a text from a friend, and when I opened the attachment I was just a tad bit annoyed. You have probably heard about Lane Bryant's "This Body" ad that several networks refused to air on the grounds that it was "too risqué." The problem with the ad? According to TMZ, some networks rejected the ad because it did not meet their decency standards. So before I tell you what I think, check out the video if you haven't seen it yet. Please note, the unaired 30-second spot features brief nudity as well as a breastfeeding model.
I would like to approach this topic from the viewpoint of a mom and a plus-sized woman.
First, as a mom of two boys I do not think the ad is appropriate, but I don't think a lot of commercials out there are appropriate. I mean, my boys do not need to see half-naked women or men on TV. I monitor the TV shows and movies they watch, but unfortunately we can not dictate which commercials advertisers air and at what time. I really don't care if the models are plus size or not, my boys don't need to see them half-naked and in sexually suggestive situations. And quite frankly, neither does my husband! Men are highly visual, and the racy content just plays into their fantasies--and into our insecurities. So, in that sense most commercials shouldn't be aired on TV!
Now as a woman, and a plus sized one at that, I see the issue in more shades of gray. “I don’t think these models are any more nude than any other models we’ve seen on TV,” a Lane Bryant rep said. I can so totally agree with that! Here's a peek at two other commercials the networks deemed "decent" enough to air on TV.
First, as a mom of two boys I do not think the ad is appropriate, but I don't think a lot of commercials out there are appropriate. I mean, my boys do not need to see half-naked women or men on TV. I monitor the TV shows and movies they watch, but unfortunately we can not dictate which commercials advertisers air and at what time. I really don't care if the models are plus size or not, my boys don't need to see them half-naked and in sexually suggestive situations. And quite frankly, neither does my husband! Men are highly visual, and the racy content just plays into their fantasies--and into our insecurities. So, in that sense most commercials shouldn't be aired on TV!
Now as a woman, and a plus sized one at that, I see the issue in more shades of gray. “I don’t think these models are any more nude than any other models we’ve seen on TV,” a Lane Bryant rep said. I can so totally agree with that! Here's a peek at two other commercials the networks deemed "decent" enough to air on TV.
The message of these commercials is sexual--plain and simple. They are designed to illicit lust and desire in the viewer. I mean really--how many women walk around a car in their underwear and then roll their bodies in said underwear up and down a random wall without any sexual intent?
In contrast, while the Lane Bryant commercial mentions being sexy and a "Body made for getting it on," the overwhelming images represent powerful bodies capable of loving, protecting and nourishing children; bodies that can be athletic and healthy, even if they are not the media's concept of "model beautiful." I've often felt that the only role a plus-sized woman can play on television and be applauded is that of the happy fat girl. What do you think?
I find it curious that the image of the breastfeeding woman would cause such a stir. Considering that the networks are perfectly okay airing ads featuring women showing lots of cleavage--and sometimes even nipples through thin shirts--out in public, it's really incredible to me that the same networks would take issue with an ad showing a woman breastfeeding her child. Sadly, I'm not surprised. I really want to think better of the CBS representatives. I want to give them the benefit of the doubt, but I don't think the same commercial featuring Victoria Secret models would have had any trouble getting approved.
According to the Lane Bryant rep, “This was not a hard-hitting conversation about body positivity. This was a playful way to engage our women and all women.”
Evidently society is changing, but it ain't changing that fast. The majority of people still see plus-sized women simply as overeaters, unhealthy, and unattractive. Think about this the next time you see a woman wearing PJ pants in public. I have seen this many times. Skinny women wearing PJ pants in public are ogled by men; they are thought to be cute or hot. Plus-sized women wearing PJ pants in public are given dirty looks, as though people think they are too lazy to get dressed before leaving the house. There IS a double standard. There ARE stereotypes. I think refusing to air this commercial is a prime example of this kind of prejudice against AVERAGE SIZED women, and it shows how far our society has to go to value women of all body types.
I would love to hear what you have to say! Is the "This Body" ad indecent? Why do you think the networks rejected the ad? What else is on your mind about body image? Please share below.
In contrast, while the Lane Bryant commercial mentions being sexy and a "Body made for getting it on," the overwhelming images represent powerful bodies capable of loving, protecting and nourishing children; bodies that can be athletic and healthy, even if they are not the media's concept of "model beautiful." I've often felt that the only role a plus-sized woman can play on television and be applauded is that of the happy fat girl. What do you think?
I find it curious that the image of the breastfeeding woman would cause such a stir. Considering that the networks are perfectly okay airing ads featuring women showing lots of cleavage--and sometimes even nipples through thin shirts--out in public, it's really incredible to me that the same networks would take issue with an ad showing a woman breastfeeding her child. Sadly, I'm not surprised. I really want to think better of the CBS representatives. I want to give them the benefit of the doubt, but I don't think the same commercial featuring Victoria Secret models would have had any trouble getting approved.
According to the Lane Bryant rep, “This was not a hard-hitting conversation about body positivity. This was a playful way to engage our women and all women.”
Evidently society is changing, but it ain't changing that fast. The majority of people still see plus-sized women simply as overeaters, unhealthy, and unattractive. Think about this the next time you see a woman wearing PJ pants in public. I have seen this many times. Skinny women wearing PJ pants in public are ogled by men; they are thought to be cute or hot. Plus-sized women wearing PJ pants in public are given dirty looks, as though people think they are too lazy to get dressed before leaving the house. There IS a double standard. There ARE stereotypes. I think refusing to air this commercial is a prime example of this kind of prejudice against AVERAGE SIZED women, and it shows how far our society has to go to value women of all body types.
I would love to hear what you have to say! Is the "This Body" ad indecent? Why do you think the networks rejected the ad? What else is on your mind about body image? Please share below.