Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Critical analysis question and research

Question
How does skincare packaging affect gender stereotyping?


Purpose
Skincare products are used and targeted at binary genders and are one of many heavily stereotyped products. People in society are more likely to be drawn to products that are targeted at their gender and personality characteristics therefore, only buy products that they feel are aimed at them.

Skincare is seen to be marketed differently at men and women, making it seem as though men and women have different skin. Although there may be slight differences to female and male skin, skin is just skin. Brands seem to profit from segregating men and women's products and taking advantage of peoples insecurities rather than what skincare should be about, which is skin types. Skincare products should be about the type of skin concerns that an individual has and not their gender assigned.

In recent years, society has also shifted in a way that allows people to become more open a free to be who they are, whether thats their gender assigned at birth/the gender they've always felt like they are or that they do not conform to any gender and are fluid.

The idea of people not being able to fit in/not feel comfortable in buying products that are either targeted at men or women is upsetting and should not have to feel like they have to conform to any. Skincare should solely be marketed for skin types rather than genders.

Research
The leading health and wellbeing shops in the UK (Boots and Superdrug) have a range of affordable skincare in-store and online. There seems to be a lot more of women's skincare than there is for men and the connotations behind every products are strongly 'macho' or feminine. Brands categorise products by gender using colours, shapes, typography and connotations that subconsciously speaks to the consumer.

There is also a known issue that women pay more than men for the same products as the brands like to draw out women's insecurities by claiming to help with their insecurity/concern.



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