I am perusing through a magazine during my lunch break and I run into this ad for Clorox Bleach.
Seems harmless enough, lets read on.
The caption below the ad says
Trusted by Six Generations, all the rage since 1913.
This is a good advertisement. I am lured in by the crisp white fashion plates of the century and also reminded that people have purchased Clorox for nearly one hundred years, so why shouldn't I?
I have blacked out our generation because of course- that is my punch line. And if you know where I am going with this be quiet and don't spoil it for everyone else.
Lets break this down these generations together.
1920s Flapper Girl
She is carefree and enjoying the wealth of the decade. The 19th amendment granted women the right to vote. The first woman governor was elected in 1925. Also she is among the near forty percent that earned college degrees, double that of the decade before. Not only were we GASP showing our ankles but we were also competing in the Olympics.
1940s Army Girl
Standing tall and with her head held high the woman of the 40s is celebrating the fact that congress has allowed her to serve in the U.S. Navy.
She joins the fighting men over seas while women back home take Rosie the Riveters advice and takes their place working in the assembly line. The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League is founded.
1950s Marilyn
Woman are starting to embrace their sexuality like Marilyn. Woman are suppose to be wifes, mothers, educators and sexpots all at the same time.
Rosa Parks refuses to give up her seat sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The Baby Boom is in full swing and women are encouraged to stay in the home. Yeah, thats not so fantastic but when the sixties come around they strike back with a vengeance.
1960s Mod Gal
After borrowing her roomies copy of The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan our mod gal embraces her feminine freedom. Birth control is made legal and free love is everywhere.
The skirts get shorter and independence is in full swing. By 1969 fifty percent of women are working while the first man is walking on the moon.
1980s Working girl
After going through a 70s whirl wind of the near passing of the ERA (Equal Rights Amendment), Roe vs. Wade and some chick beating some dude at tennis
the woman decides that since she has finally conquered the right to her body she is set to conquer the work force. Over half of college graduates are women, they are getting their masters, becoming doctors, lawyers and business professionals. We have women in space, Oprah on tv, and Sandra Day OConnor gets a seat on the supreme court.
So what are we going to see with our generation?
Women have had so much to overcome.
Could my generation see the first woman president?
Strict penalties for victimizers of women and children?
(ok, I know this picture is totally wrong, he was proven innocent and I shouldn't go there)
Women conquering male dominated careers and making a name for themselves like their fore-mothers?
Lets take a look at what Clorox thought!
Flip Flops, pajamas and Third Trimester Pregnancy.
Awesome. Can't wait.
