Part 5/13:

Fashion and media are described as tools that constantly reinforce societal gaze and beauty standards. The speaker notes that women’s clothing choices—wearing less, dressing provocatively—are often motivated by a desire to attract male attention, despite societal narratives claiming it is for empowerment or personal choice.

The evolution of advertising underscores this point. In the 1990s, commercials depicted women eating burgers or washing cars in bikinis, a direct appeal to the male gaze. These tactics proved profitable, perpetuating stereotypes that equate female attractiveness with sexuality and objectification. Even brands like Victoria’s Secret and advertisers for fast-food chains capitalized on this, showing how deeply embedded the male gaze is in commercial culture.