NEWS: So, Walmart Doesn’t Think Black&Decker Tools Are for Women?

by on

Sexism-Walmart-Drill-Carpentry-Construction-ToolsI found this today, 02-07-13, while searching for a drill to get for my home DIY projects and possibly theatre set construction.

I am a woman and a single mom. Notice for whom this particular drill by Black&Decker would be a “great gift.” Is it Walmart or Black&Decker who thinks a mom, wife, or girlfriend (or female carpenter) should not buy a drill… or perhaps tools, in general?

Is this yet another way women’s equality is systematically undermined by patriarchal (RWNJ) culture and male-dominated corporate America? Isn’t this the 21st century?

We already had to fight the “legitimate rape” bullshit from the GOP, the shocking laws being passed in Arizona and the proposed bills in New Mexico. So #WhereAreTheWomen here? Is this more of 2012’s #WarOnWomen? Hmmmmmm…

trish

Recommended Reading:

4 Comments

  1. That’s a bargain. I’d love one of those. Seriously Trish, you’re not being a little over sensitive ? There is lots of advertising in this country that portrays men as utter fools, do you see us complain?
    You’re still free to buy the drill, are you concerned that the cashier may think it’s not for yourself.
    Are you any good with power tools? Because if you are, you’re looking more like the perfect woman every day. 🙂

  2. I vehemently disagree What I’ve seen over the past several years is a huge influx of “feministas” working in the advertising and media industries with the resulting effect that men are now being ubiquitously portrayed as nothing more than a “clueless doofus” in movies, advertisements, and television [See, e.g., Askmen.com: Top Ten Worst Male Bashing Ads].

    Gone are the days of Ward and June Cleaver which portrayed mothers and fathers as equals–not only in their marital relationship–but also as parenting partners. No, these healthy exemplars of mutual respect and equality have long been supplanted by repetitive noxious portrayals of men as simple, moronic, clueless, and otherwise unrefined creatures who are incapable of survival without receiving guidance and direction from their all-powerful omniscient “mommy” wives or girlfriends. [E.g., Stu’s girlfriend Melissa in the “Hangover”].

    Sure, my wife and I may disagree at times, and our marriage may not be “perfect”, but there has never been any uncertainty between us as to who’s boss: we both are. Similarly, there has never been any uncertainty between us as to who’s the smartest, or the most knowledgeable, or the most caring, or the most talented, or the most dependable, etc.: we both are. Hopefully our example will be the most important legacy we leave our children: a legacy of mutual loving respect between two people of different genders irrespective of how those genders are portrayed in the popular media. In sum, we endeavor ourselves daily to the goal of being worthy, real life, role models for our children.

  3. The Wal-Mart ad? Sure, it’s true that some women want to buy and use drills; but it’s also true that some men want to buy and wear garter belts and pantyhose. Yet, I don’t think anybody would seriously argue that lingerie companies are guilty of gender bias for not including the words “Would make a great gift for dad, or a husband, or boyfriend” in their catalogs (even if J. Edgar Hoover and Tim Curry really did find the wearing of thongs and camisoles enthralling).

    Get over it.

  4. Ugh how is marketing a certain product towards a certain gender sexist? The ad didn’t , imply men are better than women with power tools, just that men use power tools more than women. I’d have to say in general that’s probably the case, more men on average use power tools more than women. Not sexist just a marketing department who knows their target audience.

    Power to you for fixing things around the house and what not. Most people man or woman don’t do that.