Cultural A4

After simply looking up “women advertisements” and “men’s advertisements” it was quite obvious to see the difference in how women and men are represented in the advertisement field. When looking up men ads, there was an unhealthy amount of objectification of women throughout the ads. In ads target towards men, mostly on fragrance or hygiene products, it was seen that women were basically used as props instead of just promoting the product. The implications this can have on men is that they could be possessed to imitate this behavior and think that it is okay to see and treat women as objects. The implications this representation can have on women is that it could easily lower self-esteem to not be seen as a human and it could also lead women to indulge in this behavior of treating themselves as an object for a man.

Compared to men’s advertisements there were many empowering ads for women but there were also more controversial ads that I found more when searching for women ads. One ad I found was clear when it came to body-shaming in order to promote their product. This a specifically promotes their snack as being healthier and states how you can love the product without gaining weight (which also puts this weight in a negative light). The next ad I found was for a lotion that can bring forth “visibly fairer skin” all with a Black woman on the advertisement. This company was very insensitive when creating this ad because this type of statement can lead people of color to see their skin as too dark and that they need a product to lighten their skin. The last ad that I found was actually an empowering statement which took a jab at stereotypes that are placed on women. Overall, with an exception to the positive ad that I did find, the representation of women in the advertisement industry is very negative but I do see it changing for the better with more women and allies of the movement creating more positive advertisements for women.

Cultural A3

The blog I chose was created by a sophomore who studied in Rome during the spring semester of 2020. The first blog is titled Anchors Between Worlds and the student discusses the topic of the mental divide she noticed of herself while studying abroad in Italy. As a native Jamaican who moved to the United States when she was 8, she states how living in Italy made her feel the furthest away from the two worlds (Jamaica and the U.S.) that she felt “stuck between.” She also discusses how she struggled with feelings of not having a place to call home and how she continued to find ways to relate to home during her time in Italy. The student’s last blog titled An Ongoing Voyage-Reflections on an Unexpected Semester just describes her experiences during her studying abroad and how she’s much to reflect upon, as well as her personal growth during the semester.

I chose this student’s blog simply due to her presentation, which piqued my interest. The titles as well as the accompanied images of her blogs stood out to me which is how I chose this student’s blog. Also, her being in Rome did make me more intent to see what her experience was like living and studying there. I have not had the chance to study abroad so seeing these blogs from the students of Temple University was fascinating to me. I would definitely study abroad if given the chance because I feel that it can bring many new experiences and perspectives to my life.

Image retrieved from https://unsplash.com/s/photos/rome-italy

Cultural A2

The value of time and control amongst the common American is seen as the utmost of importance. This article describes how foreign visitors see Americans as being more concerned with completing things on time than they are with developing interpersonal relations. It is almost as Americans have a time limit on their everyday life no matter it be work, school, personal obligations, etc. This value of time and control applies to my life immensely. Being a fulltime student with a job as well is the epitome of how time controls my life. Deadlines, being to work on time, managing personal relationships, and finances all relate to how time will seem like there is never enough. I believe this is prominent in most people’s daily lives, the world seems to move in such a fast pace, more than ever now and everyone is trying to keep up.

I think that someone from a different culture would view Americans as very frantic due to our need to be constantly rushing to make time for everything in our lives. I personally do not think this is a good thing because I don’t see living at such a fast pace as being able enjoying life. We already have such limited time here so I think that it is good to take time to stop and look around and appreciate being here while we can. People should slow down sometimes as well and spend time with their family/friends and enjoy the world, I think that is something of great importance.

Cultural A1

I believe I most identify with acceptance of difference. This stage describes people as experiencing cultural difference in context. In acceptance of difference, all behaviors and values, including your own. Acceptance of difference allows individuals to see other cultures as offering alternative viable solutions to human existence and to accept the distinctive reality of each culture’s worldview.

I can relate to this stage the most because I have always been one to accept other cultures. I always have an open mind when it comes to other’s cultural views because I would want someone to do the same when they look at me or my family’s customs and traditions. I find that it is just common respect to accept other’s cultures because that something that is sacred to them and their lifestyles for over generations. I appreciate culture in all because it offers variety to the world, everyone can’t and aren’t supposed to be exactly the same.