22nd Annual Student Research Conference
The Dove Campaign for Real Beauty: The Limiting of Female Agency in Beauty Advertisements
Nadia S. Mozaffar
Dr. James Cianciola , Faculty Mentor
The Dove "Real Beauty" campaign seemingly makes the argument that "ordinary women" are what "real beauty" is about. A closer examination through a feminist lens reveals that the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty contributes to a limited agency of women. Even though the campaign features ordinary women instead of the supermodels common in most commercials, by advocating for the purchase of its beauty products, Dove continues to uphold certain standards of beauty perpetuated in American media. Dove encourages women to use their products to get firmer looking skin, more voluminous hair, and other beautiful characteristics. The company promotes the message that beauty is an essential characteristic for women to uphold and contends that outward appearances are important instead of emphasizing less superficial characteristics.
Keywords: Dove Campaign for Real Beauty, beauty, feminism, female agency
Topic(s):Communication
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 56-3
Location: VH 1010
Time: 3:15