Why Britain's Ban On Gender Stereotypes In Ads Is So Important

Britain’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) announced stricter rules regarding gender stereotypes in advertising this week to address what it calls “potential harm or offense.”

“Our review shows that specific forms of gender stereotypes in ads can contribute to harm for adults and children,” said Ella Smillie, the lead author of the accompanying report. “Such portrayals can limit how people see themselves, how others see them, and limit the life decisions they take.”

Previous research has shown that gender stereotypes impact everything from self-esteem to figuring out one’s own gender identity. Both strict and implied gender roles permeate most every culture around the world. Membership to social groups, whether assigned or chosen, has a profound impact on human behavior. When a person doesn’t conform to their expected role (or fit into a social group), the consequences can be socially, economically, and emotionally detrimental.

So, the thinking goes, ads that show girls and boys in very traditionally male and female roles can impact the entire trajectory of their lives. Starting in 2018, advertisements will undergo a vetting process before landing on billboards, trains, buses, magazines, websites, or television. According to Ad Age, Britain will now join Norway, Spain, Finland, Ireland, Germany, India, Italy, South Africa, Canada and France, where gender stereotyping is strictly monitored in advertisements.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.