Letter to the Editor: Advertisement is a Poor Role Model

Jeanne Gustafson (Editor) October 22, 2012 at 05:11 pm

What do you parents think of this? Are we sending the wrong message here by allowing this paid ad that displays an unrealistic model? To me, it's clear that the model's right side waist is likely reduced by photo editing software, but does that make the result less damaging?

Randy Nevin October 23, 2012 at 11:00 am

I agree. It's hard to believe this is an accurate photo of a real body; it looks "photoshopped". If it's real, it certainly does not look healthy.

Jeanne Gustafson (Editor) October 23, 2012 at 12:52 pm

Also, I do want to note that in addition to publishing Kim's letter here, I passed on her concerns to our publisher.

Cherry O'Neill October 23, 2012 at 02:01 pm

As a recovered anorexic and bulimic myself, I applaud Kim's initiative in voicing her concerns regarding this ad. Just yesterday, I had lunch with a woman who told me that her 12 year old stepson made a comment about their dog who was vomiting, saying it must be anorexic. His stepmom asked him how he even knew about that term and his response was alarming, to say the least! He said that all girls are anorexic or think they are fat. And this comes from a 12 year old....we are most assuredly sending our kids the wrong message about who they are and what is important if they are internalizing the imperative that being thin determines their value as human beings. As the mother of five (four of whom are young women), I echo Kim's sentiments and appreciate her not only bringing it to our attention, but being willing to put her money where her values are!
Cherry O'Neill

Steve Smith October 23, 2012 at 03:25 pm

Your publisher should also consider that the quality advertisements it runs do have an effect on the percieved quality of this site. The advertisement does send a bad message; it is also amatuerish in its production. Ultimately, that makes this site look rather amatuer as well.