The marketing business has always used sex to sell, and as sex and nudity are so closely associated in the public mindset we get dragged down by the undertow. Advertising is a hard, blunt instrument that has to time or space for the nuanced differences. Occasionally we see nakedness used sort of wholesomely - a car breakdown service TV advert a few years back (UK) featured an engineer being called out to a naturist beach, the whole thing being treated matter-of-factly even though camera angles were suitably discreet for “family viewing”.
Usually, of course, the implied nudity is presented with sexual overtones - supermodels emerging from the bath, that sort of thing. Interestingly, though, the ad industry has drawn lines round the body as to what is nude and what isn’t - male and female groins and female breasts are nude so must be covered, but bare buttocks are allowed, so obviously are not considered nudity.
I don't know how it is in other parts of the world, but in my country beautiful girls are often used in advertisements. Sexy girls advertise coffee, mobile operators, banks, etc. Yes, these girls are dressed, some in bikinis or other revealing clothes. But it has long been proven that lustful dirty thoughts are caused not by a completely naked body, but covered with sexy rags. Excites not open, but closed. So the parents of the chicken ads need to close the eyes of the children on the textile beach.
I had contemplated making an official complaint regarding the KFC ad, however, on reflection, I'm thinking a more effective approach would be to bring the ad to the attention of the Mental Health Foundation, pointing out the areas of concern you've raised in this piece. A complaint from the MHF would carry far more weight that one from me.
My understanding concerning NZ is that it appears the law is being tested [ several recent cases ] and so far results have favoured the defendant. I visit every year and visit many beaches, some are secluded and some are more public/textile and never had a problem. What freedom.
Indeed, I live in Los Angeles and the acceptance level here is fragmented at the best. In San Francisco its more widely accepted. The laws are not in our favour compared to NZ. It depends on city By-laws not statute law. A the best some cities have a level of tolerance eg San Diego has Blacks Beach.
Although this has nothing to do with the topic you presented, I’d like to offer a way to avoid unwanted annoying commercial messages on TV. This method is 100% effective. It is easy to do and it’s quite simple. Just do as I did about 15 years ago, GET RID OF YOUR TV. I gave mine to one of my stepdaughters. I’ve been much happier ever since. The amount of misinformation that I have avoided is truly remarkable.
Hi, thank you for the very well written article. I must add that covering the human body with clothing has a lot of connotations [ if thats the right word ] and the naturists among us are slowly changing public acceptance. NZ is a good example of moving in the right direction with their naturist friendly laws.
The marketing business has always used sex to sell, and as sex and nudity are so closely associated in the public mindset we get dragged down by the undertow. Advertising is a hard, blunt instrument that has to time or space for the nuanced differences. Occasionally we see nakedness used sort of wholesomely - a car breakdown service TV advert a few years back (UK) featured an engineer being called out to a naturist beach, the whole thing being treated matter-of-factly even though camera angles were suitably discreet for “family viewing”.
Usually, of course, the implied nudity is presented with sexual overtones - supermodels emerging from the bath, that sort of thing. Interestingly, though, the ad industry has drawn lines round the body as to what is nude and what isn’t - male and female groins and female breasts are nude so must be covered, but bare buttocks are allowed, so obviously are not considered nudity.
Yet another reason not too watch free-to-air TV
I don't know how it is in other parts of the world, but in my country beautiful girls are often used in advertisements. Sexy girls advertise coffee, mobile operators, banks, etc. Yes, these girls are dressed, some in bikinis or other revealing clothes. But it has long been proven that lustful dirty thoughts are caused not by a completely naked body, but covered with sexy rags. Excites not open, but closed. So the parents of the chicken ads need to close the eyes of the children on the textile beach.
I had contemplated making an official complaint regarding the KFC ad, however, on reflection, I'm thinking a more effective approach would be to bring the ad to the attention of the Mental Health Foundation, pointing out the areas of concern you've raised in this piece. A complaint from the MHF would carry far more weight that one from me.
My understanding concerning NZ is that it appears the law is being tested [ several recent cases ] and so far results have favoured the defendant. I visit every year and visit many beaches, some are secluded and some are more public/textile and never had a problem. What freedom.
Indeed, I live in Los Angeles and the acceptance level here is fragmented at the best. In San Francisco its more widely accepted. The laws are not in our favour compared to NZ. It depends on city By-laws not statute law. A the best some cities have a level of tolerance eg San Diego has Blacks Beach.
Although this has nothing to do with the topic you presented, I’d like to offer a way to avoid unwanted annoying commercial messages on TV. This method is 100% effective. It is easy to do and it’s quite simple. Just do as I did about 15 years ago, GET RID OF YOUR TV. I gave mine to one of my stepdaughters. I’ve been much happier ever since. The amount of misinformation that I have avoided is truly remarkable.
Hi, thank you for the very well written article. I must add that covering the human body with clothing has a lot of connotations [ if thats the right word ] and the naturists among us are slowly changing public acceptance. NZ is a good example of moving in the right direction with their naturist friendly laws.