While I was browsing through the internet, I came across a set of two pictures which was an advertisement for a company that gives children karate lessons. The two pictures depict a little boy (about 5 years old) who is most likely at risk of becoming a homosexual. This message is sent out because in both pictures it shows him playing with his mother’s things. The first picture shows the little boy in a room (which appears to be his parent’s room) sitting on a bed, while holding a mirror and applying some lipstick on his lips. The second picture shows the same boy in a room (also appearing to be his parent’s room) standing in front of a closet, while trying on a pair of red stilettos. On both these pictures, the logo of the company RDCA is stamped, and next to it has a caption saying, “Karate lessons.”
These ads were very offensive to me, not only because it is promoting Homophobia, but also because I myself am a homosexual male. By implying that a parent must take their child to karate lessons if they want to prevent their child from becoming gay, is basically promoting Hate and Homophobia. Children at a young age are naturally curious and tend to do silly thing, but that does not mean that is a “gay thing” (given that the child’s actions does not match up to the expectations of their gender role). A parent is going to do what they feel is best for the situation, whether they just simply laugh about it, or the have a talk with their child and tell them that what they did was wrong. These advertisements not only suggest that Homosexuality is wrong and should be avoided, but also it suggests to parents on how they should raise their children. I parents want to be told what to do, they’ll go and read a book about parenting. Ads like this shouldn’t just subliminally tell parents how to raise their children and promote homophobia.
I believe that the creators of these advertisements should have really thought about how it might offend a group of people, or society in general. And if they did think about it, and it was their intention to send out this message and are too homophobic, well then I think they should discontinue the ads if someone got offended by them. I know that everyone is entitled to their opinion, but this ad is just wrong. I have many gay friends who I am truly proud of, and are one of the best people I have ever met. I hate the fact that big companies like RDCA use their power and their ads to promote hate. So I sincerely ask if RDCA and/or the creators of this ad would discontinue that sort of promotion.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHyUJ_ngTDjH-HjwK8UW2rFJXCyuYVcL_s0gUnh1kcTqjrxR6xYtjsj_fu2DM1Tjf_3o2_gU7n2Gz9mRQIDwQl87J-NfyZxuJnE5d9tiuwZrQUVGHmpYsn0WqL-knjsle5RRXNlUhvOtQ/s1600/RDCAkarate2.jpg https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXm8bKYHQBUlhkzBUqrSrJYMTBk491WFPF5FgUAy_qxzM7A5T8tf9X70vzdI5j81dfC_aDW_5NpqDT4mMzLxTS8qC8pWbFqrLAl0oKqucHNYK0hs9qjElPa7NIfC7ljHPRbGAPOGFE39w/s1600/RDCAkarate1.jpg
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ReplyDeleteThanks for supplying the website; I viewed it and thought the little boy was cute, and like must small children they are infatuated by their parent’s things, and that little boy was no different. I noticed that in the picture the advertisement logo RDCA was hidden in the bottom left corner along with karate lessons. Do you really thing that the little boy in the picture will probably grow up to be gay? If so, then you fell for the advertisement depicting that will happen if the little boy continues his behavior with playing in his mother’s thing and not be given something more sporting to do. I now see what the ad is trying to do; they are trying to strike fear into the minds of parents or anybody for matter into believing if you have a small boy who is curious about his mother thing put him then put a stop to it and give him karate lessons. I am a parent, and I definitely would not buy into the misrepresentation that a little boy should be given karate lesson to keep him out of his mother things. I can see why that advertisement is offensive to you. I never would have picked up on the hidden message that is in that advertisement. You did a good job by interpreting the advertisement. I would have first noticed how pretty the red heels are and how hard it would be to get that red lipstick out if it got on anything , as well as how cute the little child is.
ReplyDeleteI had never until now seen a publication of this company and taken notice on how offensive it is. I was actually shocked to see this image. The fact that they really do try to portray homophobia is actually disturbing. I know that this type of behavior is out there but not to this extent. I had a similar experience in my house because I have a nephew who is just about to turn 2 in another month or so and I live with him. He does the exact same thing and naturally as a child this happens. They are interested in the things we do and soak up every type of information on how they are supposed to act. In my house there is only one male and four women, naturally there are more "female" made shoes in the house and they lay on the floor. He put some of my sisters heels on one day and my mom saw and had a big fit about it but I thought about our class. I know ( and knew) that this type of behavior does not determine the outcome of his sexual nature but it was just a reminder that people still think that way. (MY MOM) I did explain to her and after some small thought into it she gave up and saw that I was right but it is so true that the homosexual stereotype for this child's behavior prompts fear within parents and they feel that it needs to be corrected. It's simply not right and I'm glad you brought it up.
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