How has advertising affected American values?

Advertising has had a significant impact on American values and culture. For example, advertising has promoted the ideal of the nuclear family, with a working father, a homemaker mother, and two or more children. An emphasis on consumerism has been heavily promoted through advertising, encouraging people to buy the newest products.

Advertising has also suggested that beauty and physical appearance are important determinants of success, which has placed an undue amount of pressure on individuals to present themselves in a certain way. Ads featuring thin, attractive models have impacted body image standards for both men and women, leading to an increase in the number of eating disorders.

In addition, ads have suggested gender roles that suggest women should be dependent on men, or that men must always be a provider or protector. Finally, advertisements have also been used to shape political beliefs, creating messaging that supports particular candidates or policies.

In defense, advertising companies have argued that they are beneficial in three key ways:

• Fuels economic growth: To compete and grow in today's marketplace, companies must efficiently reach consumers, alerting them to new product innovations and competitive price points.

• Fosters a wide array of affordable media choices: Vast, affordable media options enrich our society and underpin a core American value - the democratization of knowledge and information.

• Educate the public: Advertising informs consumers about product choices available in the marketplace.