Commercializing Women

This is a collection of original essays intended to stimulate discussion about the depictions of women in Asian media. The authors explain how the underlying philosophical and cultural contexts that shape the life experiences of women in Asia are reflected in the media portrayals, especially in advertising. They discuss the influence of Confucianism in China, Korea Taiwan, and Singapore; the traditional Hindu beliefs that have shaped life for women in India; and finally the role of Islam in constructing social norms for women in Islamic countries like Pakistan. Together these traditional influences along with the new and emerging global cultural values inherent in the media, weave a set of conditions that create the context for images of women in Asian media. Through a sampling of countries in Asia, the authors are able to explore and compare the underlying issues that affect the commercial representation of women in the region. By drawing on a range of methodologies this book provides scholars with an understanding of the representation of women in advertising from the point of view of message producers who view Asian women as a growing market for clothing and beauty products, as well as from the point of view of many Asian women who see these commercial messages as tools for either subjugation or empowerment.