Sexism on an advertising board for a fitness centre

[ThumbWitchesAbroad]

Saw this today:
"Focus on your butt or no one else will want to"

I was on the way to an appt with my 2 boys or I might have thought about saying something to them - but then again, this is Australia, and my friends here are adamant that they've never experienced sexism (I think they have it so ingrained that they don't notice, tbh, but who knows).

So - am I right, is it really sexist, increasing objectification of and sending the wrong message to women? Or am I over-reacting?

[Optimist1]

It's a bit cheesy, but could be applied equally to men, couldn't it?

[SweetAndFullOfGrace]

They've never experienced sexism in Australia??? Ha ha ha ha. (I grew up there). Yes, they are in denial. But then many Australian men get bizarrely aggressive when accused of being sexist in my experience so maybe it's just self-defence to agree with them.

To answer your question, sort of but not overtly sexist. I think since women are more likely to be body-shamed than men and relegated to a decorative rather than substantive status it probably is more negative for women than men. But I don't think the ad itself is sexist. Just shallow, which is kind of expected for a gym.

[ThumbWitchesAbroad]

Optimist - possibly, except the gym in question is called Curves and is primarily aimed at women.

[ThumbWitchesAbroad]

You could be right, Sweet - DH is Aussie and gets very offended if I say he's being sexist (when he is, which he does every now and then)

[SweetAndFullOfGrace]

Australia's self image is egalitarian ie no sexism no racism etc. Despite this being blatantly and obviously misaligned with reality it strikes a bit of a cultural nerve when Australians are accused of being discriminatory. In my experience anyway

[ThumbWitchesAbroad]

Mine too...

[slug]

[BreakingDad77]

Recently on the tv in UK there was an advert or something where the woman's talking about holidays and skinny dipping and pointing down and inwards about being beach ready.

[ThumbWitchesAbroad]

I liked Julia Gillard. I was cross when they forced her out.

[bowlofoldoats05]

Sorry, but I don't see what's inherently sexist about the quote. Is there some (missing) context to it?

[BreakingDad77]

Lol oats it's simplifying a womans value to her physical attributes.

[UptoapointLordCopper]

Australia not sexist and not racist? Why did I not know that before? I'm moving there.

I think we ought to have a scale of sexism (0 not sexist, 10 very sexist). > But wherever it is on the scale it is not zero and the main thing is that it therefore adds up to the overall sexism of society. I definitely disapprove.

[JAPAB]

It does promote the idea that one ought to care about bits of themselves being attractive, and take steps to ensure this. But that is not sexist as such.

[JAPAB]

"Australia not sexist and not racist? shock Why did I not know that before? I'm moving there."

Just avoid Kevin Bloody Wilson while you are there.

[BakingCookiesAndShit]

I wouldn't bother Copper, from experience, Australia is incredibly sexist and they have the highest rate of indigenous incarceration in the world. I could tell you stories about the way the Oz Govt has treated Australian Aboriginals that would turn your hair white.