Analysis on Kilbourne's Argument

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Recommended: The negative effects of advertising for women

Violence is everywhere in the United States of America. Many people in America and around the world have been a victim or know someone who has been a victim of violence. Over 22 million women in the United States have been raped in their lifetime according to the website, Victims of Crime. This number is significant. Advertisements could play a role in making violence more acceptable in our society. PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, is known for having shocking advertisements. This pro-vegan and pro-vegetarian nonprofit organization has always been a topic of interest. Many of PETA’s ad campaigns are related to sexuality, violence, discrimination against how people look, and dominance over women. There are many pro-vegetarian and pro-vegan ads that do not degrade women and still are persuasive. Jean Kilbourne writes about violence and the degradation of women in advertisements. Kilbourne explains her point of view in her piece, ‘“Two Ways a Woman Can Get Hurt’: Advertising and Violence.” Considering Kilbourne’s argument, PETA ads are a concern because of the suggested violence while other pro-vegan and vegetarian ads are not.
Advertisements across the globe are becoming more and more violent. In a recent PETA ad, it depicts a naked woman with a meat diagram on her, as seen on pigs and cows. In this ad it reads “ALL ANIMALS have the same parts. Have a heart. Go vegetarian.” This ad is degrading towards a woman because the advertisement is directly comparing her to an animal. PETA is taking their advertisements to a whole new level in the wrong direction. In society people do not consider themselves animals. In fact, being called an animal is an insult to many people. For PETA to comment that this woman is an ...

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... a topic of interest and if done tastefully, can be very persuasive. Many of PETA’s ad campaigns are related to sexuality, violence, discrimination against how people look, and the dominance over women. There are many pro-vegetarian and pro-vegan ads that do not degrade women and still are persuasive. Based on Kilbourne’s argumentative points, PETA ads are inappropriate and violent. Although many ads are degrading to women, some ads for vegetarianism are family friendly and are acceptable for publishing.

Works Cited
Choose Vegetarian. Advertisement. Mercy for Animals. N.p., 15 Mar. Print.
Kilbourne, Jean. ‘"Two Ways a Woman Can Get Hurt": Advertising and Violence.” Language Matters. 3rd ed. Ed. Debra F. Dew. Southlake: Fountainhead Press, 2010. 269-84. Print.
Vegetarianism. Advertisement. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. N.p., 2010. Print.

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