According to a survey, advertisements published by women’s magazines were _______ women.
(A) Conferring status to
(B) Commoditizing
(C) Promoting employment of
(D) Ethicising
Correct Ans: (B)
Explanation:
A survey found that advertisements in women’s magazines often commoditize women. This means that these ads frequently portray women as objects of desire rather than individuals with agency. Advertisers use beauty, fashion, and lifestyle trends to reinforce societal expectations, often linking a woman’s worth to her appearance, attractiveness, and consumer habits.
Many brands design ads that prioritize beauty standards over achievements. This strategy influences how society views and values women, often focusing on external appeal rather than intelligence, skills, or personal aspirations. Over time, such representations can contribute to unrealistic beauty standards, body image issues, and gender stereotypes.
The other options do not align with the survey findings. Conferring status to women would mean advertisements uplift them, but most ads focus on selling products rather than empowerment. Promoting employment suggests they encourage career growth, which is not the primary focus of beauty and lifestyle advertisements. Ethicising women means reinforcing moral values, which is not the usual role of commercial ads.
Thus, the survey highlights how advertisements in women’s magazines commoditize women, shaping societal attitudes and consumer behavior through gendered marketing strategies.
