Representations of Masculinity and Femininity in Advertisements

I think most of us can recognize the blatant sexualization of men and women in advertising, especially women, as a major contributor to such identity encompassing issues (body image, gender roles, peer relations, etc.). I think we all are probably cognizant of the overwhelming influence advertising has on us between ages 12-16 (at least, that’s my guess). How you choose to react to these “visual aids” that supposedly relay societal interests, varies amongst different age groups, races, gender, etc. But one thing that maybe not everyone thinks about is advertising featuring young children, which may influence them, and certainly influences their parents. Literally from infancy we are portrayed in certain fashions that dictate what our behaviors, appearances, and values should be. Ads featuring infants are often shown with either blue or pink colored objects/backgrounds to denote gender (as if it matters at that age?), and they are typically shown with a nurturing, loving, (smiling) mother. As the baby grows (say, to the terrible-twos stage) they are shown playing with different toys (boys with trucks and girls with dolls) and in different environments (boys outside in the mud, girls inside on the carpet). The examples are endless and the effects are unbounded: parents face pressure to make sure their kids are “normal” and embody the correct gendered appearance/role/behavior, even at infancy! This is something I never considered before, which I think, is upsetting.