"Two Ways a Woman Can Get Hurt"

In "Two Ways a Woman Can Get Hurt", Jean Kilbourne draws a connection between sexually explicit and often violent media advertising and the crimes against women in America.

I really agree with the connections Kilbourne has made, and feel that these advertisements really help to shape the way that women are viewed by men, as well as the way women view themselves and each other. I found it very sad that a man got away with rape simply because a young woman "wore Victoria's Secret panties" and "used [it] against her as an indication of her immorality" (424). I think it was even more sad that because the jury was mostly women, they judged this victim more harshly. I feel it is true that women are very cruel judges of each other. I remember in high school talking with my friends about girls my age who were supposedly "sleeping around" and the labels that they received because of this. However, nobody said anything about the boys in these situations, and I can only picture their buddies giving them "high fives" and elevating their social status in response.

I also think it's disgusting how these advertisers exploit children for their benefit. Pure, sweet and innocent little bodies are degraded and seen as sensual and inviting--it's a pedophile's dream world. It seems as if every time you turn on the news, there is another story of some pervert who has crossed the line with a child. I can see how advertisers like Calvin Klein really contribute to this problem, and unless they change their marketing strategies, more children could be in harm's way.

I also really liked how Kilbourne said, "every girl is endangered, not just those who have been physically and sexually abused" (441). These images we see, over time, desensitize our rationale and make them seem "normal". They harm our self-image as women, and they enable men to view us as objects and sexual beings, rather than emotional, intelligent human beings who have much to offer society. Instead of focusing on the "bottom line", they need to be focusing on marketing their products without harming the innocent in the process. If companies aren't willing to embody some semblance of morality and decency in their marketing, we, as consumers, can choose to boycott their products and invite friends to do the same. Clearly, we are ultimately responsible for their "bottom line", and if we send them a strong message that we won't accept their tactics to sell us their product, then maybe we can make a difference.