The Way We Were... (Are?)

Mmmm.... fresh out of the oven!

What else can I get you?

Quit Yer Bitchen and Git in the Kitchen!

Here is yet another site reinforcing the sphere of domesticity. Now, nowhere on this page does it say "we are trying to appeal to women with this site because we know that's who usually cooks in the house." However, it doesn't have too. Once again, look at the language the web site uses. More effeminate words such as "comfort" and "delicate" can be found all over. The layout of the page is highly organized and color coordinated, and the images on the site consist of women who are happy to cook for their families. Out of all the pictures on this site, I noted one where a man was preparing something to eat. He was tossing a salad.
It does not take a genius to see that advertisers are going to appeal to their intended audience. Therefore, it only makes sense to create a site, in this case, that would attract women to it to purchase recipes and get meal ideas. Big food companies target women in their commercials and advertisements not because they are trying to put women back into the kitchen, but because they already know that that is where we are.

http://campbellkitchen.com/mealideas.aspx?rc=821

Continuing the Tradition...

Here is another example of how cooking companies cater to women. Notice the picture of the mother and daughter on this page. They are having so much fun staying in the kitchen! It appears as though this tradition is something the mother wishes the daughter to continue. Once again, notice the layout and feel of the website. The pictures are warm and inviting, the color scheme is soft, and the language is tender and welcoming. The site uses phrases such as "comfort foods," and adds a personal touch by allowing spots for inspiration and conversation. This way, oppressed women everywhere are able to share why their meringue peaks are coming out stiff enough.

http://www.bettycrocker.com/cooking/

Mom's turn to make dinner... again.

Check out this website for Kraft foods. There isn't a single man to be seen. Even the organization of the site has a more feminine appeal. Notice the colors used, the clean layout, and the delicate dishes that are ready to be prepared. It's true that Kraft does have a lot of dinners that can be prepared in a box, but this, (as we will show later), is less for the cooking-impaired than it is for the soccer-mom-on-the-go.

http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf

Fast Food Club: No Women Allowed

Men want to feel manly and Burger King knows that. Men need a hearty burger that takes 20 seconds for someone else to prepare and then they are able to declare “I am man!” Don’t even try to convince me that BK’s “I am Man” campaign also somehow is geared towards women. Even when the man says he’s too hungry to eat “chick food.” Yeah, I didn’t think a woman could eat a Texas double whopper.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGLHlvb8skQ

Burger King’s newest ad campaign features a creepy King man that wakes up in bed with a man and offers him a sandwich. With this, Burger King is appealing to a single man by having their King replace what a woman should be doing for him. Sleeping with him and making him food.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIi_WFONCgw

The only thing their missing is sports. Oh, nevermind. Here’s Shaq ordering a Whopper. (Look who is taking is order…. can you say “Hi, I am a woman. How may I serve you??”) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpJkQtH91Fs

Add some Star Wars http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cuFMfkuaDI

The Simpsons http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Np7zmIEb2kM

Nascar http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7DntILNDig

Going through a drive through is also a past time for old buddies who are incapable of making a snack by stepping foot in a kitchen. Or so says Sonic commercials.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8HeBCx7ydM

McDonald’s admits that when Dad is making dinner—it means fast food! This ad features kids around the world eager to get their siblings because Dad is making dinner—which means it wasn’t cooked in a kitchen!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsEBzCA6liU

Fast Food Sex for Manly Men

Fast Food. It’s something America is known for, sadly enough. But did you know that fast food is also known for catering towards men? Ladies, I’d take that as a complement—but then I wonder if society undermines women in this trend. Do people really think that women are incapable of driving up to a window and verbalizing what we want then proceeding to count the correct amount of money and perform the transaction? Apparently only men should do that.

Television commercials are brilliant. They’re catchy and creative, and know their audience. Fast food commercials often times appeal only to men, not only through their basic product of food,—but also through sex, manly superiority, and other testosterone charged hobbies. All to sell a sandwich.

So many fast food commercials appeals to men with two of their favorite things: food and sex. So, it’s pretty easy to order a pizza—and it’s more appealing when Jessica Simpson throws pizza bites into your mouth while wearing a slutty Halloween costume version of the Pizza Hut uniform.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEqHOETejjU

This isn’t the only way the fast food industry has tried to sell their product with sex!

Hardees (and their sister store, Carl’s Jr.) are notorious for featuring scantily clad women doing provocative things—while eating a sandwich.

Here’s one with a blonde wearing only a t-shirt rolling around on the floor—while eating a sandwich. She counts down ways on how “Patty Melts for you.” Catch the clever pun there??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AprOhgRIcqY

Of course, Paris Hilton enters the scene wearing a tiny swim suit washing a car (throwing in yet another male oriented, testosterone-rising item) –while eating a sandwich. Is Paris selling herself, the car, or the sandwich? Your guess is as good as mine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P82hABWq1To

One Hardess ad features a tight tank top wearing blonde riding a fake bull while, you guessed it, --eating a sandwich. They even admit to their eye-catching advertising tactics in the commercial by saying, “We could have shown you some cowboy sitting around the camp fire, but then, who would want to watch that?” Congratulations Hardees, you figured out what men would rather watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AprOhgRIcqY

Another Hardees patty melt advertisement plays on the idea of it being served on flat buns. Which brings two male classmates to fantasize and rap about the flat buttocks of their teacher. Classy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jo3nA0hxJDg

Burger King at least adds a more subtly sexual element by making it a fantasy element in their creation of a dream land called Tender Crisp Bacon Cheddar Ranch with residents of only young hot ladies. Some of their catchy lines in this hoe-down include “There’s a train of ladies comin’ with a nice caboose,” and, “Your wildest fantasies come true, Dallas cheerleader give you a shave.” Obviously, Burger King wants men to “have it their way.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1tLzUlK4EI

The list goes on… sex sells—who knew?!?!

Not only do fast food ads cater towards men—but they use women to do it!