Since I call myself a parent educator in this valley, I thought I would call attention to a very obvious "teaching moment." I was shocked, offended and even saddened this past week as I was innocently scanning the movie section of the newspaper when I had no choice but to take in the graphics for a movie I won't do the honor of advertising again. This visual was a sorry and obvious example of using the female form to objectify and denigrate women for the sake of profit and "comedy." Unfortunately this ad was positioned right above the youth movie, Madagascar.
I wonder how many young people took in this gross image while on their innocent movie search. It sickened me further to think that this image is usually showcased as a very large poster in front of the one-and-only movie theatre in town to greet all our (male and female) young people (and old alike). I also wonder how many adults pointed out and discussed this image with their kids, or are they left to absorb it and subtly and generally accept this as normal, funny and appropriate?
At this important time when we are continually searching for new positive female role models and healthy examples of empowered women as well as education all around us of domestic violence, violence against women and teen-dating violence, this kind of advertising is finally unacceptable. Without thinking (or did they think?) the makers of this R-rated movie just went with what sells! (the larger question is why does it sell?) They exposed our young people and fostered complacency and acceptance by all of us to this ignorant and irresponsible use of the female form. Did you notice this image? Did it disgust you or did you skip over it as normal? I encourage you to talk about this with your kids of all ages. They still have a chance!
Julie N. Caldwell
Ketchum
