Protein World "beach body" adverts

Anyway, I really shouldnt be saying those things on a feminist thread, so i really am off and out of here, before i'm flamed

Maybe not mamapants, but there are other feminist topics I don't agree with either - like I can't ever understand the argument that we should have more women in the board room, or that women should be paid exactly the same as men.

I don't think we should -I certainly would never expect to be paid the same as a man (and I work in a blue collar profession) given i've had 3 kids in the space of 6 years and taken several years mat leave and now work part time. Why on earth should I be paid the same (pro rata) as a man who hasnt had those career breaks?

Also, many women have kids and therefore don't want high powered jobs in board rooms - that is why there are more men, because women work part time to look after the kids. I just don't get why some women get so worked up about these things .

Focussing on this particular model is missing the point. No one has says they shouldn't be able to model. And of course adverts present aspirational images to try and make us buy things. But, for example the xc90 post - there are adverts for lots of different cars, advertised in many different ways. And we probably don't see that many car adverts in a typical day. But this model represents the one single body type we are constantly bombarded with as being the ideal. There are plenty of other beautiful, healthy body shapes (and colours) that could be used (the objectification argument aside), but they simply aren't. This advert sums up the message being given to women and girls by advertising/media as a whole and that is why it (not the model) is being targeted.

I know shewept, I want dd to be happy within herself, and confident with whatever shape she is. I will wear my bikini, despite my tiger stripes and loose tummy. I just commented on the picture, I am not going to sign a petition or protest outside Downing Street.

I don't think that it's some kind of a given that not being anti this advert means you can't be a feminist

yes i'm out too, i clearly dont have a feminist bone in my body, sorry!

MagentaOeuflon - Or perhaps their bodies arent that unobtainable.

It's a person own insecurities. If a picture can make them feel inferior then how will they feel on a beach surrounded by woman who have similar bodies to the model. Just be the best you can be.

I have skinny legs, no amount of training will change it. I'm not going to stop wearing shorts.

Aerofloat...i am sorry you have had to go through that with your dd. My dd did too. But it came from other kids a school whose mothers are obsessed with dieting. To the point we had to stop dd going to their house as the questions about what she and I ate upset her.

I do agree that we need models of all different shapes. But just like evans wouldn't use a size zero to advertise their clothes, a fitness company is not going to use a size 14 for weight loss products.

And to be honest, part of my job is within the fitness industry. Everyone I have spoken to in the last few days, were pretty appalled at Protein Worlds response on twitter.

And suddenly, depressing thread is depressing.

I'm out too. But not because I'm afraid of catching the Feminism.

I actually think I would find a massive billboard advert of a white, pastey woman in a bikini with a muffin top / rolls of fat (i.e. me!) more 'offensive' than this advert. I'm not a pretty sight in a bikini, I certainly wouldn't want to see my equivalent on a billboard!

I agree, but I was really sad when my dd who is 8, came to me and asked me if she was fat . I don't weigh myself in front of her, or talk about dieting. She is not fat at all, quite the opposite, with ribs showing and fitting in age 6/7 clothes. She has ASD and is very very faddy with food, she always has been, but it is sad to hear that.

Although am not sure how they were supposed to choose a model who was simultaneously tall, short, average, muscular, lean, white, black, pale, freckle, tanned, young and old etc etc

sugar that made me laugh.

And had the model had a more 'obtainable' body would that be OK?

Also the company and model are saying it isn't photoshopped. So unless someone has evidence to the contrary, that it is.....her body isn't unrealistic. Its her body.

I thought we had got past the 'real women' fiasco

And I don't see any campaigns against oil of olay or whoever?

Ok so amethyst what age is appropriate for anti wrinkle cream, if the model were 60 could the 70 year olds complain. If she was 70 could the 80 year olds complaiN?

I'm not sure your car analogy will get much support shewept - this is a feminist thread, so unless there is a model with an unobtainable body draped over the bonnet, you're out of luck

Aaaand perhaps that's partly because so many women have got the message that if you don't look like that, you're not fit for the beach, so they're self-selecting.

And maybe its mainly because they go to the gym and eat well, because they want to.

Actually, mamapants, we do. As you'd know if you read more of the threads on this board.

I would love my car to look like a brand new Volvo xc90, it doesn't and never will. So therefore they should ban the adverts for making me feel inferior.

I did not realise it was in feminism either.................... I'M out of here.

So again, this girl isn't allowed to be a model because she doesn't look like most girls?

That girl is in a bikini, she is bikini ready....for herself. The advert doesn't say if you don't look like this...you aren't bikini ready. She is what she considers bikini ready for herself.

No one advert can cover everybody type out there.

And as for the she can achieve it because she is white, is ridiculous. Go to any ukbff, pure elite, Miami pro show and look at the girls in the 'bikini' section. There are plenty of women of colour built like this model.

Well I have 2 daughters and the advert still doesn't worry me. Raise them with love & honesty and they'll realise that no everyone can have such a body.

Your right sugar I came on here as it was in the most commented box, but I am happy with where I am right now, I don't care about the advert really.