Question 5. Products

[Ashley]

Ladybird says, “I’d hate to think of you being exported to some call center in Mumbai.”

“Deported. People are deported. Products or are exported,” Nicole corrected.

Because Bray is a genius, I think Ladybird’s slip here was oh so deliberate. What do you make of Ladybird “accidentally” referring to the beauty queens as products?

[Carol]

When you really think about it, isn't "beauty" for males or females a product. When we turn on the TV or open a magazine what do they sell, BEAUTY! I really don't think it was a slip.

[Ashley]

I think Ladybird, and humanity in general, view the beauty queens as commodities. And to be a commodity, you have to be an OBJECT, a (literally) selfless little doll who looks pretty, isn't threatening, and exists for others.

[Lauren]

On that note, Ashley, I think there's a reason so many beauty queens become politician's wives: their whole life has been as a product and commodity, of selling a certain life style. And, let's face it, even today, politician's wives tend to be nonthreatening dolls who exist as a prop for the image of their husband's perfect family life.

[Cheryl]

ARM CANDY IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AS IT REQUIRES MONEY AND A LOT OF HIGH MAINTENANCE. IT'S A SHAME THAT SO MANY WOMEN SEEM TO RELY ON FORM OVER CONTENT. IT TOTALLY REVOLVES AROUND EXPECTATIONS, BOTH PERSONAL AND SOCIETAL. IDEAS HAVE CHANGED A GREAT DEAL OVER THE LAST 40 YEARS. CULTURAL DIFFERENCES REGARDING THE GENDERS ALSO PLAYS A BIG PART. SINCE THE '60'S, WOMEN HAVE FELT MORE CONFIDENT IN THEIR SKINS AND HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SHED THOSE DONNA-REED-LEAVE-IT-TO-BEAVER STEREOTYPES IN THE '50'S WHERE THEY BELONG.