From the time print was prominent and advertisements were king, women have been portrayed in all manners from sexual to subservient. Looking back in history at vintage ads, one finds an interesting, often shocking and, in many cases, humourous look at the role women were purported to have had in the lives of their children and their husbands.

Vintage Ad 1

Knowing what we know about the health risk of cigarettes, it just seems that the criteria for a man getting a partner might involve just a little more effort. Unlike dogs, the whiff of a smoke-scented body can send us in the opposite direction. Maybe brains, a sense of humour, and a respect for women might be more worthy qualities than cancer-inducing sticks. Just a thought…

Vintage Ad 2

Oh boy! If a woman is not portrayed as stupid, then she’s portrayed as more stupid. It’s such a pity the numerous accomplishments of women tell a different story and make us look bad and ‘feminist’ (that word is whispered in the same tone of awe as the word ‘communism’).

Vintage Ad 3

Let this one speak for itself! We’re not only stupid, we’re indispensable, too, and no one should have to pay for our elimination. Can anyone feel the love?

Vintage Ad 4

‘That’s what wives are there for.’ Calling all wives: if you’ve doubted your role, don’t worry, it’s just been reinforced for you! Thank God our men can take care of us and show us where we go wrong. Thinking for ourselves is all just a bit much, what with cooking, giving birth, raising children. I swear if my husband didn’t tell me which hole to pee from I’d be in trouble!

Vintage Ad 5

The whole ‘women smell like fish’ thing all over again…enough said!

Vintage Ad 6

This advertisement is so wrong on so many levels. Can anyone spell paedophilia?

Vintage Ad 7

No! It does not take two to tango, didn’t you know? *Holding hand to forehead* Women transmit disease, get themselves pregnant and pass on HIV themselves! The penis is not a demon.

Vintage Ad 8

And just for good measure, women just don’t know what to feed their children, so, on the advice of all the good men at the Soda Pop Board of America, let’s bump the natural breast milk we feed our little ones and give them cola instead – all that sugar is just so healthy!