Overexposed

For Banner we were given the option to write our heart out about a subject we are passionate about. Unfortunately for them, this topic is very wide open and gives me free reign; which is (of course) a very dangerous thing. On the other hand, fortunately for me, this allows me to write about something I already have previous knowledge of. A tool that is very useful in the hands of a busy college student. The following is my personal opinion coupled with research on one subject that irks me to the core: sex in the advertising industry.

It is sometimes amazing to me just how obsessed our nation is with just a simple three letter word. Sex. Simply utter the word in a crowd and immediately you will hold the attention of a vast majority of the room. Today, we seem to live in a society that craves and is fascinated by the very thing that allows any species to procreate.

The famous sex psychotherapist Sigmund Freud once said,

“Sexual love is undoubtedly one of the chief things in life…all the world knows this and conducts its life accordingly.”

While voices in the world of psychotherapy will often argue that Freud’s definition and intention behind his frequent usage of the word “sex” is often misunderstood, it is clear that the media, particularly advertising agencies, have no problem understanding human motivation and how to manipulate it. Today’s media is rampant with sexual innuendoes and subliminal messages.

In the case of advertising, these images are often unwarranted and sometimes completely unrelated to the product. The increasing exposure to such images and subconscious messages can be detrimental to our society as a whole, particularly to the self image and priorities of our youth. Movies have ratings, but innocent TV or internet surfing can quickly lead to blatant and unwarranted exposure to sexual images and innuendos.

I want to know whatever happened to innocence in the world! I fear that my young son or daughter may not have the ability to grow up in a world where their hearts and minds even have a chance at remaining even relatively pure and naive. In an article entitled Goodbye to Girlhood, which ran in the Washington Post in Febuary of 2007, parents and psychologists alike share disgust at the ever increasing emphasis on sex and body image to children at younger and younger ages. One psychologist remarks, “Being a sexual person isn't about being a pole dancer,” she chides. “This is a sort of sex education girls are getting, and it's a misleading one.”

Even though sex may rapidly get the audiences attention, I think it is crucial that we, as consumers, are aware of and think about the subliminal (and maybe not so subtle) messages that the industry has indoctrinated our culture with.

Sex is good for business; that much is clear, but I think it is important that we ask ourselves to what extent will we allow the ball to continue to roll and at what cost? Have the media and marketing agencies gone too far in their vast and flagrant use of all things and images sexual? Even though our exposure to sexual images can be unwarranted and without notice, the American does have power over the advertising industry. It is with that green piece of paper or plastic card found in your wallet. Your money!