Ads Gone Bad: The Worst Body-Shaming Advertisements
Body-shaming in the advertising industry is an age-old tactic. Women have always been urged to fix all that is inherently undesirable about them, and judging from advertising's history, that constitutes an infinite list of gaffes to be improved upon, eradicated, or hidden.
But it's no longer a practice relegated to beauty and fashion ads—or to women. Shaming people in general about their physical appearance is now easily visible in campaigns ranging from pro-veganism advertisements to billboards encouraging childhood health.
It may be we've gotten so used to body shame, we don't even see it anymore. But the longer we accept a singular, narrowly-defined version of health and beauty, the longer we'll accept that making people feel bad about themselves is not only "helpful," it's deserved.
Scroll down for some of the most overt body shaming ads from past and present campaigns.
From Physicians for Responsible Medicine, these were part of a campaign aimed at encouraging people to eat a plant-based diet.
From AshleyMadison.com, a website that encourages people to cheat on their partners.
Georgia's Strong4Life campaign last year came under fire for humiliating kids, and using scare tactics in a misguided attempt to turn the tables on childhood obesity.
Bypost is a company that sells iPhone apps. But over the summer, they sent this (now deleted) tweet warning consumers not to offend anyone with their choice of dress.
This vintage ad from Grape Nuts, says there's only one "right" size.
A 15-year-old recently launched a campaign to get Facebook to stop posting ads like this one, aimed at her and her friends.
Marry-A-Millionaire undergarments wanted women to squeeze their body parts into desirable shapes so they could land a rich husband. It's not that far off from undergarment ads of today.
Another ad from PETA, which seems to imply that you can enjoy the TSA's invasion of your privacy if you have a body that looks like this.
Lucky Strikes warns women to hold onto their slender figures, so light up, ladies.
Alcoholism may be dangerous to your health, but looking like a man would be the greater tragedy.
Palmolive wants you to know it's all your fault that no one loves you.
Oatmeals in New York City warns patrons that thin is in for summer...
Cruelty sells.
Co-opting cliches to boost sales.
Finally, Ralph Lauren famously Photoshopped this already trim model into a figure that was unsettling for many, resulting in the company's public apology.
Related stories on TakePart:
• Ads That Actually Make People Feel Good (VIDEO)
• Forget the Shame, This Store Uses Body Pride to Sell Its Clothes (PHOTOS)
• What Barbie Would Look Like If She Resembled an Actual Woman (PHOTOS)
Original article from TakePart
