The British Advertising Standards Authority (BASA) has banned the ad below, arguing that it amounts to the sexualization of children (source). The model, Dakota Fanning, is 17-years-old. Defending the decision, the BASA writes:
We noted that the model was holding up the perfume bottle which rested in her lap between her legs and we considered that its position was sexually provocative. We understood the model was 17 years old but we considered she looked under the age of 16. We considered that the length of her dress, her leg and position of the perfume bottle drew attention to her sexuality. Because of that, along with her appearance, we considered the ad could be seen to sexualise a child.
What say ya’ll? Should the state have the power to ban advertisements it deems harmful?
UPDATE: Correction, the British Advertising Standards Authority is not the state. Instead, it’s an organization funded by the advertising industry that evaluates whether their work is consistent with advertising standards codes. Thanks to Theophile Escargot for correcting me.
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Lisa Wade is a professor of sociology at Occidental College. You can follow her on Twitter and Facebook.
