JCrew Advertising Analysis - Essay Example

In many societies, the choice of colour is seen to tell about one’s gender. In the present case, pink is traditionally associated with girls, so seeing the boy’s nails in pink made some feel that the mother was encouraging a reversal of gender identity. To some, the advertisement encourages our children to choose the genders they feel comfortable in regardless of their gender at birth. Some people believe boys should behave and act like boys, not the other way around.

In terms of the relationship between gender and power, such reactions indicate that men and women are placed in specific roles based on gender. Society has developed boundaries that clearly define the roles of men and women in society, and whenever such limitations are seen to be crossed, such reactions are common. Women are seen as accommodative and passive, while men are aggressive and dominating. In the present case, for instance, since pink is associated with women, some take offence when the boy paints his nails pink because it appears he is relinquishing his duties or roles as a man and taking up female roles.