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News & ArtsMonday, February 8, 2010
Sports The Super Bowl of Masculinity
Posted by David Schmader on Mon, Feb 8, 2010 at 11:14 AM
Exhibit A:
Exhibit B:
(Thanks for the heads-up re: the above photo, Towleroad, which also has some nice pics of Saints quarterback Drew Brees in the shower.)
2
Look at the lovely proximity of body parts. And what a great, loving embrace. That's a wonderful, and sexy, photo.
4
Seriously, that is a great photo.
The "women are the reason why your life sucks" commercials were a little surprising to me. The commercials are usually "man"-oriented, but in a much different way -- sexy women, or groups of guys hanging out and doing fun/crazy guy stuff. I'm not sure what the hell the ad agency guys thought was going on in the psyche of American men that they thought the "take back your manhood" message would resonate (maybe the fact that more men are unemployed?).
The "women are the reason why your life sucks" commercials were a little surprising to me. The commercials are usually "man"-oriented, but in a much different way -- sexy women, or groups of guys hanging out and doing fun/crazy guy stuff. I'm not sure what the hell the ad agency guys thought was going on in the psyche of American men that they thought the "take back your manhood" message would resonate (maybe the fact that more men are unemployed?).
5
@4, agree. I was surprised at how pissed off men were in these commercials. Men allegedly give away their masculinity by hanging out with women and doing some of the things these women require of them. I felt saddened by this and think it's probably in line with more general national trends, such as the Tea Party movement, which is also about men feeling pissed off and betrayed by peace-loving, compromise-seeking, gun-controlling, race-mixing, gay rights preaching, income redistributing liberals. When are "real" men going to get back their spine?, ask the commercials. I find this both false and sad.
On the other hand, that picture is lovely.
On the other hand, that picture is lovely.
6
@4, 5,
There are plenty of men here in the south (I live in Florida) who do feel exactly that way... that women are supposed to be ogled and leered at, but if you don't watch out, they'll turn you into a sissy. Amazingly, a lot of women here feel that way too (that women "turn" men into sissies). I don't understand it, I only observe it.
There are plenty of men here in the south (I live in Florida) who do feel exactly that way... that women are supposed to be ogled and leered at, but if you don't watch out, they'll turn you into a sissy. Amazingly, a lot of women here feel that way too (that women "turn" men into sissies). I don't understand it, I only observe it.
7
Poor Poor str8 men, poor str8 men. They take a back seat in every walk of life. Poor Poor str8 men.
8
@ 4 Misogyny is the default setting for guts who would get hot for a Dodge Charger. It is a douche-mobile. Plus supporting enitled people in their sense of vivtim-hood sells.
9
@ 8 Oops, that's "guys" not "guts", although I imagine guys who like that ad have rather large ones.
10
Wait... so the only reason dudes show up to work on time, sit through meetings, and rinse the sink is because the Meanie McMeanerson girlfriends/wives make them do it? Also, the lip balms that they carry must weigh so heavily on their hearts. How cruel that women do that to the poor, angsty, miserable dudes.
11
I thought it was funny until I read the comments. now I feel bad for being a woman and making my man do such horrible things. (Not!!)
12
It is unfortunate that ingrained, institutionalized mysogyny still exists. There are some upsides to living in a bubble of liberalism, and that includes not being exposed to blatant sexism on a daily basis. My friends who live in more conservative places run up against that kind of mentality all the time.
13
@4 et al, no argument here, except that I think back to that Slog post about the literary trend of non-sexual "sex" scenes, and wonder if the two aren't connected.
I'm also thinking back to the disappointing date I had with a guy who had a serious case of the Eeyores. I feel like since I started trying to date again, I'm finding a lot of passive navel-gazers. I'm betting advertisers are responding to the trend by enticing men back into the traditional buying patterns they've held for decades, and they're using taunts and challenges to do it.
Unrelatedly, was the voice actor for that Charger ad Michael C. Hall? Because that was some serious ear candy. Mmm. (The Charger didn't hurt either.)
I'm also thinking back to the disappointing date I had with a guy who had a serious case of the Eeyores. I feel like since I started trying to date again, I'm finding a lot of passive navel-gazers. I'm betting advertisers are responding to the trend by enticing men back into the traditional buying patterns they've held for decades, and they're using taunts and challenges to do it.
Unrelatedly, was the voice actor for that Charger ad Michael C. Hall? Because that was some serious ear candy. Mmm. (The Charger didn't hurt either.)
16
@6, thanks for the perspective. Please, in the same tone as 'observer,' tell those southerners that guys who are afraid of doing things for women are cowards. They sound like a bunch of insecure wimps. Heck, if they NEED to be told to do these things, they should return to their mommies. Or go buy a car so they can put it where their balls used to be. So sayeth the PNW.
17
@4 et al, I feel you may have misinterpreted this ad. I didn't read it as an exercise in misogyny, or as an argument that women are the source of male misery. These men are in relationships, and relationships entail compromise on some points. The ad outlined some of the stereotypical concessions some men make so as to maintain the health of their relationships. The look on the faces of the men in the ad were ones of defeat, of powerlessness; in all of these spaces they could no longer--unless they desired to become single again--exercise complete control. Yet just as they make compromises within the relationship, so must the women in their lives. Enter the Charger. Dodge is arguing that you have made concessions on a, b, and c; you have earned the right to have this one space that is all yours, to place within it something to which she may object but because you are deserving, you will be able to confidently and successfully defend your right to have it.
This ad may be otherwise sexist, but not for the reasons you think.
This ad may be otherwise sexist, but not for the reasons you think.
18
the part about "i will watch your vampire shows with you" was spot on, though. straight women like everything vampire.
19
@17 - you definitely make some good points about the charger ad -- the fact that there's a part about being helpless at work means this ad isn't totally about women. But, there did seem to be a trend last night with multiple ads about how women make men miserable (the Flo TV one where the guy is totally emasculated comes to mind).
21
@18- As a straight man I have to object to this portrayal of vampire TV shows. True Blood has more titties than anything else on non-porn TV and I can't imagine anything more important that bare titties in entertainment. Also theres violence pretty regularly, so it's got that going for it as well.
23
@21: they throw that in for the guys that have to watch... reminds me of all the adult jokes / references in 'kids' cartoons. :)
24
As a lady who watches football all season, I too was pretty horrified at the blatant misogyny in the ads during this superbowl. I thought we were moving away from that stuff! Maybe I'm just getting that idea since I moved here from the midwest several years ago, and I'm not constantly feeling defensive about my femininity + independence.
Anyway, that picture is great! That's really what football is all about - good communication and cooperation, smack talk and other forms of psychological manipulation.... Aren't those traditionally feminine stereotypes? Besides the defensive line rule, there's nothing overtly ultra-masculine about football. Equating it with warlike and anti-feminine propaganda really twists it.
Anyway, that picture is great! That's really what football is all about - good communication and cooperation, smack talk and other forms of psychological manipulation.... Aren't those traditionally feminine stereotypes? Besides the defensive line rule, there's nothing overtly ultra-masculine about football. Equating it with warlike and anti-feminine propaganda really twists it.
25
To focus on the "misogyny" (assuming it's there) is to miss the point of the ad. He's talking about all the compromises we make in life, from work, to relationships, to daily interactions with the world. In return he rewards himself with this car (or big-screen TV, or whatever).
You could easily make a similar ad about the even greater compromises women make -- and how they might reward themselves perhaps a different car, or whatever...)
You could easily make a similar ad about the even greater compromises women make -- and how they might reward themselves perhaps a different car, or whatever...)
26
@25,
Be sure to let us know when advertisers develop that ad.
Even being as ridiculously charitable toward the ad as you are, the fact remains that men are allowed to be pissy pants crybabies about the amount of compromises they have to make to have relationships and love, even as women make many more compromises on average. Meanwhile, women are expected to accept their lot and never, ever complain. What's not misogynistic about that?
You could easily make a similar ad about the even greater compromises women make -- and how they might reward themselves perhaps a different car, or whatever...)
Be sure to let us know when advertisers develop that ad.
Even being as ridiculously charitable toward the ad as you are, the fact remains that men are allowed to be pissy pants crybabies about the amount of compromises they have to make to have relationships and love, even as women make many more compromises on average. Meanwhile, women are expected to accept their lot and never, ever complain. What's not misogynistic about that?
27
26: The ad hyping women's escape from stresses would involve chocolate, or something else "sinfully delicious."
28
@27 - yup. cue the ads for low-fat but YUMMY yogurt. sinful but fat-free!
keshmeshi @26 - there are tons of ads about women rewarding themselves for compromises they have to make.
i guess it IS sexist that men who want to reward their compromiseds get a car and women who want to reward their compromises get... well, sugar (or sugar substitutes).
ha!
but it's probably because men have serious things to do around town. women mainly need to clean, so fat-free yogurt is enough of a reward.
keshmeshi @26 - there are tons of ads about women rewarding themselves for compromises they have to make.
i guess it IS sexist that men who want to reward their compromiseds get a car and women who want to reward their compromises get... well, sugar (or sugar substitutes).
ha!
but it's probably because men have serious things to do around town. women mainly need to clean, so fat-free yogurt is enough of a reward.
29
@ 28
Your right on target with the differences between what women think they want and what men know what they want..
I think everybody leaving comments knows that men and women make compromises in relationships, You have to when your involved with someone. But what that commercial struck home is how much of a sacrifice men make on a day to day basis with the women they either live with or are involved with.
I personally didn't see anything wrong with it, any man worth his sack will tell you stories of constantly being nagged to put the the seat down in their own house or my favourite "I will listen to your opinion of my friends." or I will separate the recycling. After hearing that mess all day who the hell hasn't wanted to just tell their girlfriend to just shut the %^&# up.
No man, I'm sorry let me rephrase that no real man wants to sit and watch those cheesy vampire movies at all.
I think the ad closed a real positive note that didn't cow tow to some feminist brain washing whereby the man feels ashamed that he has an opinion and isn't afraid to stand up to daily misandrist screeds he hears daily.
Its as simple as this ladies "because we deal with your whiny BS on a daily basis we will drive the damn car that we want to drive, regardless of what you think."
Hmmmmmm couldn't have said it better myself
Your right on target with the differences between what women think they want and what men know what they want..
I think everybody leaving comments knows that men and women make compromises in relationships, You have to when your involved with someone. But what that commercial struck home is how much of a sacrifice men make on a day to day basis with the women they either live with or are involved with.
I personally didn't see anything wrong with it, any man worth his sack will tell you stories of constantly being nagged to put the the seat down in their own house or my favourite "I will listen to your opinion of my friends." or I will separate the recycling. After hearing that mess all day who the hell hasn't wanted to just tell their girlfriend to just shut the %^&# up.
No man, I'm sorry let me rephrase that no real man wants to sit and watch those cheesy vampire movies at all.
I think the ad closed a real positive note that didn't cow tow to some feminist brain washing whereby the man feels ashamed that he has an opinion and isn't afraid to stand up to daily misandrist screeds he hears daily.
Its as simple as this ladies "because we deal with your whiny BS on a daily basis we will drive the damn car that we want to drive, regardless of what you think."
Hmmmmmm couldn't have said it better myself
31
@29 Really? I'm sorry but doing your share of the fucking housework isn't a "compromise". You don't want to separate the recycling or take out the garbage or whatever, but, you do it anyways, so that's "compromise" or "cow towing" to woman? No, it's fucking not. It’s being a fucking adult. Boo fucking hoo, you have it so hard because you have to walk the dog. Get real, asshole.
Personally, I was surprised by the tone of the Charger ad, but I didn't think it was that bad. I had to ask myself whether I thought it was sexist, after all. Your post on the other hand is downright ridiculous. Girlfriends are nags! They should shut the fuck up! Why don’t you just do all the females in your area a favor and just not have a girlfriend, then.
I bet you think The Lockhorns is funny. Idiot.
Personally, I was surprised by the tone of the Charger ad, but I didn't think it was that bad. I had to ask myself whether I thought it was sexist, after all. Your post on the other hand is downright ridiculous. Girlfriends are nags! They should shut the fuck up! Why don’t you just do all the females in your area a favor and just not have a girlfriend, then.
I bet you think The Lockhorns is funny. Idiot.
32
Julie in Eugene,
I have to say thank you! I completely forgot how relevant The Lockhorns are. I actually had to Google them as I forgot what they were about. Needless to say thanks again!!
I have to say thank you! I completely forgot how relevant The Lockhorns are. I actually had to Google them as I forgot what they were about. Needless to say thanks again!!
33
@Starsandgarters
I thought I recognized Michael C. Hall's voice, as well. Confirmed here: http://www.mibz.com/5350-8-x-video-all-c…
Using the very recognizable voice of Dexter--America's favorite serial killer--puts a strange ironic and disturbing edge on the commercial.
I thought I recognized Michael C. Hall's voice, as well. Confirmed here: http://www.mibz.com/5350-8-x-video-all-c…
Using the very recognizable voice of Dexter--America's favorite serial killer--puts a strange ironic and disturbing edge on the commercial.
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