SEXIST AD TRENDS HAVE NOT CAUGHT UP TO TODAY

"The advertising world continues to use stereotypes and violence to prey on our most vile desires." So writes Alex Leo in the 12/16/08 Huffington Post.

If it were only Admen who are behind the times, it would be less worrisome. All through the Presidential campaign I listened to the older TV personalities. Whenever things got dull (to them) they could call on the stereotypical view of women, the double standard, ridiculing emotions expressed (especially tears) and otherwise pounded their masculine chests. Since the days of Phyllis Schlafly's hold over American women who wanted to be supported by their husbands, regardless of the financial needs of the family, many women have ridden on those coattails as well.

Equality is still lacking in opportunity, justice, respect, empowerment, vocational choice, and sense that marriage is a partnership. Too many men and women cling to what they had been led to believe is 'woman's' work. If the husband's pay is higher, though only slightly so, as it is quite often with the inequality that remains, he clings to being the major breadwinner and thinks he can expect his wife to do all the housework, raise the kids, and wait on him. Fortunately, the current under 25 generation has been brought up in a world in which many grandmothers and mothers rebelled and taught their sons to be better equipped to manage a house and family as well as their wife does.

The UN has a Commission working on Womens'/Human Rights. It certainly can't be doing a bang up job getting the media to publish results, if indeed, there are any.

Hanging out at the gym and lifting weights is not the answer, Mabel. Until men can see that women do not envy their overrated plumbing except as it is useful during sex, that power and violence are not as essential in much of today's world as reaching effective solutions without war. The manly game of pissing contest with war toys must lessen or there will be no real equality. Misunderstandings will bring about more divorces and friction in marriages. Of course, it is the offspring of these unions who will suffer the most.