Johana Morales
Writing for the Sciences
Professor Anna Voisard
February 21, 2023
Are You Beach Ready ?
Body Shaming is a big problem in today’s world. The Ad (which is now banned in the UK) which features a very skinny, curvy woman in a bathing suit with the words “Are You Beach Ready” is promoting an item that will supposingly help you lose weight. The item is obviously suggesting that you aren’t “beach ready” and should consider losing weight for you to have that summer body. After looking at this Ad and analyzing it more, it made me think of the many people who were possibly offended by this horrible ad, and putting the idea in peoples head that a “beach ready” body has to look a certain way.
As mentioned in the beginning, the Ad features a Skinny, curvy, tiny waist young woman with perfect hair who appears to be wearing a bikini basically telling everyone that a body has to look like this in order for you to be ready for the beach.. Many people obviously found this offensive since not everyone looks like that because we all have different body types and look different. This ad in particular was targeted to women. Women are always shamed when it comes to not fitting the “beauty standard”. Many get judged for how they dress, the way they act, if you wear too much makeup, take it off, or if you don’t wear any, put some on. In this case, women are being judged because of how their bodies look. Many people, more specifically men, come up with the idea that a beautiful woman has to be in perfect shape, super skinny, always presentable and looking their best. This makes unrealistic standards that can affect many women of different ages, even young girls.
In the UK, they realized how awful this Ad was and banned it. Which is something that everyone should have done because of the negative message that the Ad is giving to the public. But it was still seen at the subways and billboards of New York City. Why was an Ad that’s so controversial still being promoted to the public while knowing the horrible message it’s giving its audience ? That’s definitely something many will never understand. Many women had a lot of comments to say about this Ad. Sherrie Griffiht who is a 18 year old college student said “I know we both have different shapes. I have more of a gut than her,” she said grabbing her midriff.“This ad makes me feel less beach body ready because we are in a different position. She’s that,” Griffith said pointing upwards. “I am that,” she said, pointing at herself.” Emelie Nasman who was a 28 year old teacher said “The answer to the question … It’s no,” she said. “No. I don’t feel beach body ready. This ad reminds me of that.”Many people who make Advertisements like this fail to realize the pain and insecurities that they leave young girls and women when they promote such hurtful ads that bring people down just because of their appearance. In this Ad, they use a very attractive skinny woman. By putting this woman as the cover of this Ad, it makes unrealistic standards to many women that the definition of beauty is looking like that. Think of the younger audience that will come across this big yellow sign. It will make them believe in these unrealistic standards that society makes that leads to people sometimes having mental health issues.
As a result, these types of Ads are very inconsiderate of people’s feelings. The way the Ad tries to give a message to the public by trying to shame and bring down the audience. Instead of being so hurtful to each other, we should all learn to be kind and spread body positivity. I feel like this Ad could’ve been promoted in a very different way where no one is being forced to lose weight to look good at the beach. At the end of the day, everyone is beautiful no matter what. We are all unique in our own special way, and that’s what makes us all beautiful.
References
Hackman, R. (2015, June 27). Are you beach body ready? controversial weight loss ad sparks varied reactions. The Guardian. Retrieved February 27, 2023, from https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jun/27/beach-body-ready-america-weight-loss-ad-instagram
