inism, anti feminism

The (Double) Standards Board

 

 

 

" ... a satirical comment 
on a patriarchal world"
The Advertising Standards Board (Australia)

 

"'It's sexy and eye-catching", says Janet Hogan, 42, co-creative director of the advertising agency Streamline, who created the campaign for her client Kolotex.  "Women love the ballsiness of it." Sydney Morning Herald, April 13, 2002

 

Pip Wilson was one of many people who submitted a written complaint about this billboard to the Advertising Standards Board.

Pip asked the Board, "Since we can be sure that a billboard featuring a man walking two naked women on a dog leash would be illegal in this country on the grounds of being demeaning to one sex, I'm sure that by the principles of equality and justice, the Board will make an equivalent judgment about the Voodoo hosiery ad".

(None of the following quotes are from Pip's letter, but from some of the many other complainants.)

Below is the Board's incredible response.

The best bit is right at the end.

   

 

Advertising Standards Bureau Ltd ACN 084 452 666 Level 2, 97 Northbourne Ave. Turner ACT 2612 Australia Tel (02) 6262 9822 Fax (02) 6262 9833 Website www.advertisingstandardsbureau.com.au   24 April 2002   Mr P. Wilson   Dear Mr Wilson,     Advertisement Complaint - Reference 97/02 We refer to your complaint about an advertisement for Kolotex Australia Pty Ltd  (Voodoo Hosiery). The Advertising Standards Board viewed the advertisement and considered your complaint at its recent meeting.  We have to advise you that the Board did not uphold your complaint. We enclose a copy of the case report of the Board's determination for your information. Thank you for writing to us. Yours sincerely, Carole Sladen Manager – Public Complaints 1.      Complaint reference number 2.      Advertiser 3.      Product 4.      Type of advertisement 5.      Nature of complaint 6.      Date of determination 7.    DETERMINATION 97/02 Kolotex Aust. Pty Ltd (Voodoo) Clothing Outdoor Portrayal of People Portrayal of sex/ sexuality/nudity April 22 2002 COMPLAINT DISMISSED   DESCRIPTION OF THE ADVERTISEMENT This outdoor advertisement features an image of a gloved and stiletto-booted woman wearing (Voodoo) tights under a short Dalmatian-patterned dress, walking behind two crouching men, naked except for dog-style collars, the leashes of which are held by the woman. Accompanying text reads: Voodoo Winter Hosiery.' THE COMPLAINT Comments which the complainant/s made regarding this advertisement included the following: "I found the image of a woman walking along with two naked men on dog leashes on their hands and knees very offensive ...sexist and derogatory ..." "It depicts men as animals and honestly puts the fight for gender equality back fifty years." “This ad is suggestive that men are dogs, are not worthy of wearing clothing and need to be tied to a woman who has the power. It also suggests that a woman can have more than one man. Both of these points contravene the social morays that are part of today's society and involves discrimination of men as a lesser sex rather than as an equal." "The buttocks of the males are high, thereby depicting their anuses and scrotums to be in the clear view of the person holding the leashes. The advert is in my opinion unacceptable...! am very concerned that people, such as children, who lack the ability to interpret messages analytically, may be led to believe that such images portray a socially acceptable interpersonal relationship." "The pose is overtly sexual in an offensive way as it is demeaning to all parties in the ad, suggestive of bondage (the dog collars), bestiality (the woman is wearing a fur coat), prostitution and domination. It is also demeaning to everyone who sees it." "This is a moral issue that degrades human value and worth, it brings humans down to the level of animals. For some of the elderly it may bring back memories of war and mistreatment as prisoners of war/slavery. This may also encourage the imagination of some in this direction/treatment of others." "If the advertisement was reversed and a male was 'walking' two females with a leash, I doubt that the advertisement would even be considered acceptable." "I strongly object to this ad's being placed in the public view where my children were forced to view it today...It is clearly degrading to men to be depicted as some kind of sex slave." "Whether some may consider this demeaning to men or women is irrelevant I personally as an adult woman amjme with it … But I do know it has an impact on children. They are the issue."      "Why do we seem to have one set of standards for women's representation and another for men?" "How low is the IQ of someone who can find no better way of advertising a product, .this sort of crap is just beyond ignorance ..." "My family finds this work totally unacceptable because it explicitly projects the image of young people engaged in bestiality...Why am I explaining to my children that this is a perverted, degraded and total reversal of the expression of sexual love and fidelity that a male and female human can achieve, tell me, why would you condone these pathetic expressions of 'advertising,' human degradation?" "I genuinely feel distressed by seeing this...Such images one might expect in pornographic literature but should not be in the general viewing space."            “I am greatly concerned of the possible impact this sign could have on impressionable persons. In my view, the sign is suggestive of a gross violation of dignity and of human rights and should not be seen in my country, Australia." “...two naked coloured men crouching down like animals with their backsides in the air and leashes around their necks which are held by a white woman." "These ads are deeply offensive on grounds of both race and gender." “This kind of ultra feminism sends the totally wrong message to families where kids and young women think this is acceptable to treat men as 'pets' ... it's emasculating and derogatory and heel grinding." "I have two daughters aged 4 and 7 and I must ask them to close their eyes every time we pass it. I believe we should have the right to preserve the innocence of our children and not have this type of thing forced upon us." "This advertisement is highly offensive, demeaning the relationship between men and women, and depicting men in a humiliating position." "I would like to express my disgust .. .It is degrading to men in particular and humans in general ...What the hell are the advertising people trying to convey in this ad?" "I would expect that signs that are degrading to men would be removed as those degrading to women are." "This image has the potential to create a backlash from some men and may lead to abusive attitudes towards women." "... this level of blatant sexual exploitation of both genders to make money is crude and ignorant" "No gender should be subject to such demeaning ideas ..." "... disgusting and very degrading ..."  "I believe the ad sexist ..." "... extremely offensive and degrading (to men) ..." "... offensive and demeaning ..." "... degrading, demeaning and inappropriate ..." "... sick ..." "... filth ..." "... too sexy and vulgar ..." "... completely unacceptable ..." "... affront to civilized society ..." "... unacceptable ..." THE DETERMINATION The Advertising Standards Board ('the Board') considered whether this advertisement breaches Section 2 of the Advertiser Code of Ethics ('the Code'). The Board considered that while some people clearly had different perceptions of the advertisement, it represented a satirical comment on a patriarchal world. It determined that, as such, the content of the advertisement did not contravene the Code in relation to either the portrayal of people or the portrayal of sex, sexuality and/or nudity. With the Board finding that the advertisement did not breach the Code on any other grounds, the complaint was dismissed.

 

« Index of Articles on folklore and other topics

Twelve myths of feminism

Strategic Disempowerment

 

 

Tell friends about this page

 

 

The Decline of Males, by Lionel Tiger   The Myth of Male Power, by Warren Farrell Ph D Links on men's issues  A Day in the Feminist Life Masculism   ...

Sexism against men  Discrimination against men 'Listen': Radio interviewer's selective hearing Male bashing on TV Against feminist sexism Important books for men Facts on domestic violence against men