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
