The 1950s – a time well before the sexual revolution of the 60s and 70s, when sexism was not only tolerated, it was expected and actively encouraged, partly through chauvinistic print ads like the ones we explore below. With lashings of hindsight, we’re now able to see the funny side of the ridiculously overt sexism on display throughout the ads of the 1950s, mainly because they now seem so incredibly dated.
These ads stand as relics to a bygone era, one in which sexism as well as racism, and other forms of intolerance were commonplace.
Studying these print ads helps us reflect on today’s society and shows just how far we’ve come. Printing ads like the ones below, complete with their preposterous female stereotypes, would be unspeakable these days, and I, for one, am very thankful for that.
