Story by: Natasha
Calling anyone interested in conscious consumerism!!
Do you take One a Day Vitamins? I recommend that you person-cott them!!! I am person-cotting One a Day Vitamins because their latest marketing ploy is sexist. I understand the economy isn't tops, but that isn't an excuse for sexism.
They are marketing bottles of vitamins to female teens, calling them better for 'healthy skin.' They are marketing different vitamins to male teens, calling them better for 'healthy muscle development.' As if you can't imagine already, this is harmful because it encourages females to only be concerned with their appearances, and encourages males to grow stronger. It implies that males don't want healthy skin (false!!) and that females should not grow stronger.
In addition to person-cotting (not buying their products because they promote gender inequality), please write to the manufacturer. I'm going to write them. I won't come off sounding like the angry feminist; instead I'm going at it from an economic approach.
I will point out that by promoting the idea that boys don't care about their skin, and that girls don't care about being fit, they are alienating entire segments of their market. They are losing potential consumers by not targeting them. If they think about the hours that female teens spend exercising to grow their ab and calf muscles, another product of our sexist society, then they will realize that females obviously care about their bodies. They don't even have the option to cloak them in baggy jeans! And males don't have the option to hide their blemishes with make-up. Not in our mainstream society. One a Day can expand thier market by capitalizing on everyone's fears.
3 comments:
Wonderful idea Natasha--thank you for contributing.
Personally, I feel there are a lot of things wrong -nutritionally- with One a Day..I did take them once before about five years ago and broke out everywhere! For those who are interested, there are whole food vitamins [Source of Life is what I use] that are much better!
But back to the point at hand--
I think you are right on about how they are marketing their products; they and others might see it as 'subtle', but it is just reinforcing the view of women as ornaments, men as instruments.
Let's get together on this letter writing business..I stand behind your idea and am more than happy to call attention to this.
Great post, Natasha.
You are so encouraging Brook! I love you.
I will post the letter I'm thinking of sending. I've never taken them, that is really interesting that they don't even work!!
Sounds great! :-) Anytime, sweetie!
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