Sex sells! It never fails to grab our attention which is why it is used so extensively on billboards, in magazines, on TV, everywhere. However, there comes a point where a line must be drawn, hence, we look at business ethics.

http://www.businessinsider.com/sex-violence-against-women-ads-2013-5?op=1

As the article mentions, sexual violence against women in advertising may be cloaked under a pseudonym: humour, innuendo, or expression. So why is it so prevalent and effective? In class today, we discussed the rape chant at UBC, and I quickly drew a parallel between that and unethical advertising that this article discusses. Sexual violence humorous or something to be laughed about. With such a high percentage of people being victims of sexual assault, it is appalling that tactics are used in marketing a product especially given the physical, psychological and emotional pain sexual violence causes on a daily basis. Once advertisements begin to marginalize groups (in this case women), or go beyond common decency (rape and sexual violence are not legally or publicly acceptable) in order to make a profit, I would mark advertising as unethical.

As a beginner in business, I recognize that profits are only part of the equation. Ethics and morality play a key role in making the right decision.

Further reading I found interesting on how our culture perpetrates negative attitudes towards women: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/13/opinion/bruni-tackling-the-roots-of-rape.html?_r=0