Regulating Gender Stereotypes

The other day I read this headline from the New York Times; “U.K. Bans Advertisements Depicting Gender Stereotypes” and just like that, I became a victim of today’s Modern Headlines. 1

Gender Stereotypes, New York Times, Headlines, Daniel Morris, CPA, Portland, Oregon, San Jose, CaliforniaAt first blink I found this statement to be intriguing in its meaning. I am unclear about my opinion at this moment as to the long-term value of this regulatory action. I also understand that overt “harmful” stereotyping could lead to more unwanted behavior and too frequently has the “real” effect of limiting “those” people’s opportunities. So, what actual role do advertising and marketing have in this conversation? I don’t know. 2

Will the “regulators” consider future regulatory policies for movies? Performing arts? Will Shakespeare be rewritten because role models used are inconsistent (let’s ignore that actors at the time of Shakespeare were all men as I recall from my history and associated classes). Men and Women are different. There are people who blend, switch, have different needs and wants; even my LGTBQ friends, family, and colleagues recognize differences. Again, none should be boxed into an outcome that the advertising is directed toward via its persuasion, driving sales, or other brand promoting related matters. 3

Gender Stereotypes, New York Times, Headlines, Daniel Morris, CPA, Portland, Oregon, San Jose, California

In a Blink of an Eye…

I soon realized that I was quick to spiral into my intellectual queries of responsible governance in today’s Modern World inspired by what I would soon discover as a somewhat “irresponsible” headline written obviously to incite and sell more papers (profit).

As I am normally forced to do nowadays (and that I encourage my children to do as well) is to vet what I read before choosing to publish and broadcast… I decided to dig further.

A quick Google search and several articles on the topic appear in my search results with a more accurate depiction; “The U.K. Just Banned ‘Harmful Gender Stereotypes’ in Advertising” from Time Magazine, the Washington Post published “Women who can’t park cars, men who can’t change diapers: Britain bans ads depicting harmful gender stereotypes”.

What a difference the inclusion of “Harmful Gender Stereotypes” makes in communicating an accurate Headline.

As I write, … should advertising be so regulated? Is advertising’s use of gender roles limiting opportunities? Is this overreach? Or, do the Brits have something we don’t know about here in the “States”?

I’m simply curious as I think about this issue and how it relates to our Modern Evolution in today’s civilized society.

Daniel Morris
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  1. Photo: Michael Summers, Exchanging News via Flickr↩

  2. Photo: Jeffrey Bary, Borough Hall Subway Station via Flickr↩

  3. Photo: Jens Schott Knudsen, New York Times Building via Flickr↩

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