I Know I Shouldn't Get So Cross With Adverts ....

[bednobs]

but why do so many of them either marginalize men, or make them look stupid?
case in point i have just watched at ad for SMA or some baby product which has the strapline "take it from us mums, you're doing ok" - what about dads - aren't they doing ok?
there are countless ads that have male characters who are come=pletely gormless with, i think, the intention of saying "this product/service makes it so simple, even MEN can do it"

[Cloverjo]

Regarding the SMA ad, I think they are telling new mums that they're not failing in some way by not breastfeeding.
I agree with you about other ads, though. Especially the one where the guy is singing "Gold" while his family watch, laugh and film him.

[Mosaic]

I often shout at the telly. Please don't encourage me, the neighbours hear.

[FrogNog]

There is also an ad where the bloke breaks the telly playing a gaame with his daughter.
All Mum seems to do is carry trays of drinks around, so it works both ways.

[ToraToraTora]

because, men, especially white middle aged straight ones are the only group in society that it's ok to take the pi55 out of!

[FrogNog]

They might be one of the few groups left to deserve it ToraToraTora.
I'm not saying they are.

[Zeuhl]

Because most ads 'suck up' to their target audiences for obvious reasons.

I suspect the percentage of sales for margarine or baby milk that is dependent on a man's choice is pretty small

However, i do agree that because that is true for a large percentage of fmcg that has led to an annoying number of campaigns that belittle men

[2sp_]

It irritates me too, bednobs. Have you also noticed that any ad where a mother appears with a child the mother is always wearing a wedding ring? Daft things like that bug me. Just not reflective of modern society at all.

Oh, and the vast majority of people in ads are white. And ads for domestic consumables tend to feature women only. And cars are mostly sold to men. And there are no disabled people featured.

I could go on...

[Peter Pedant]

Of course there are some girlie things I cant do

ah at new born babies
spend all afternoon buying a hat
paint my toe nails
get a ring put in a part of me that well men dont have
endlessly discuss foundation - what's wrong with Nearly Nude ?
show any interest in jewellery

and lots of other things too

[2sp_]

PP, I can't bring myself to do most of those things either and I am a woman.

[stuey]

Here's an ad which puts women firmly in their place:) http://i61.tinypic.com/w9ball.jpg

[gingejbee]

I've asked this before....why do you even watch the ads? As soon as they appear, we mute the TV and do something useful ( coffee, loo, talk, consult Radio Times etc).

[Zeuhl]

/ the vast majority of people in ads are white./

the majority of the UK population is white.
And i think you'll find that most advertisers reflect a reasonable level of diversity as befits their target audience eg the latest M&S womens wear ad

/ And ads for domestic consumables tend to feature women only./

Women far outweigh men in decision making for domestic consumables

/And cars are mostly sold to men./

That is no longer true. There are many car campaigns developed to appeal to women particularly for models that are expected to be popular with women.

Referring back to the OP:
have you not seen the Ford ad where the male passenger apologises to the female driver via SMS for 'being an idiot'?