What are these companies apologizing for? Would they be apologizing if they didn't get caught?
Recently there are more and more companies that are having to take things off of their websites, advertising platforms, as well as their promotions throughout the store. Some have also had to publicly apologize for what has been seen or said. Two companies come to mind.
One is Target. Recently Target put out a photo to advertise their new swim suit collection. Normally, you can assume that there is some editing done to an advertisement, especially if it is advertising a swim suit. They do this to make the swim suit look more flattering on the body. They also aim to make their models look like what everyone woman in society is supposed to want to look like. Before it was barely noticeable. Target also had no shame until one advertisement edit went wrong.
There is new thing for the body of a woman that they are supposed to strive to get. That thing is called a thigh gap. Originally it was a natural thing to have. However, now it has been taken to a sickening degree. Whomever edited the photo for the Target advertisement obviously did not pay close enough attention to what they actually sent to be published. This copy that was sent had the edited chunk of the models body dis-proportioned. The area the editor meant to make skinnier went in the wrong place. Instead of trimming some width from the legs, it ended up going up a few centimeters and leaving a white rectangular shape cut out of this model's butt. The way that this was shaped makes it obvious that it is not anatomically possible.
Once people started catching on there were many complaints to the board of Target. People were very upset with the fact that they tried to make this model appear smaller than she was in the first place. Once there were enough complaints and large controversy over it, Target came out with a public apology.
Now why did they feel the need to apologize? Well, if they had owned up to making an unhealthy standard for women and young girls, they would have been hated and their production as well as sales would decrease dramatically. The question is, would they have apologized if their business was not effected?
A similar incident also happened with Barbie. They started creating skinnier, more defined dolls. The standard became more and more impossible for young girls to reach. It ended up that many girls became upset with their bodies to the point of anorexia or bulimia. This obviously sparked something in the parents of these young ladies and you can only imagine their reaction.
Many parents went to the head of the company and threatened to sue for their daughters actions and health based on their want to meet the standard their company (Barbie) had set for them. There were also strikes as well as threats to make sure their business was effected.
While Barbie still makes these impossible standards for girls to meet, they admit that it is not okay for young ladies to want to be as skinny as Barbie. They also admit that it is wrong for them to set the bar this high, however they have made larger dolls before and can't change them back now.
Would Barbie have admitted that they were in the wrong if they didn't get caught making the sizes more and more impossible? It's the same answer for any business. No they would not.
Why does this question effect us as a society? Our wants and habits are based upon what these businesses promote. They get skinnier models, we want to be skinnier. These models fit into a size 00? Let me lose a few pounds! It is never ending and if they aren't caught, then it will keep happening with little to no remorse and that is not okay. Our health and habits depend on this.
In the end when you think about it, companies are apologizing for getting caught. They are not apologizing for the fact that they do it.
Happy with my size
-Hangin' from a clothesline
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