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The image of a perfect woman in the 1950s is familiar to all of us – a diligent wife, slaving around the house all day, preparing delicious meals for her hardworking husband, taking care of the children, and all that with a smile, of course. This image was reflected a lot in the ads of that era too. Inspired by them, photographer and video editor from Beirut, Lebanon, Eli Rezkallah created a series called “In A Parallel Universe” where he switched up the gender roles portrayed in those ads to reveal the absurdity of such stereotypes with humor.

“Last Thanksgiving, I overheard my uncles talk about how women are better off cooking, taking care of the kitchen, and fulfilling “their womanly duties,” Rezkallah writes on his website. “Although I know that not all men are like my uncles and think that way, I was surprised to learn that some still do, so I went on to imagine a parallel universe, where roles are inverted and men are given a taste of their own sexist poison.”

Scroll down to see these funny recreations of old-school ads for yourself!

More info: elirezkallah.com

#2

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Eli Rezkalla Report

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Varona Ciornaya
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Should have had a bearded lumberjack dressed in tight jeans, as they walk around today and say they don’t weAr a beard because it’s cool

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Trisha Dragon
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a good idea but I can't remember the last time I purchased a rubber band... If there is one in my house I wouldn't know where to look.

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Troy Currie
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6 years ago

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There are some manly gay men and then there are some like this guy who might not be able to open a bottle of ketchup.

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Coat Guy
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you ever have a problem with opening a jar (for example jam), use a spoon and put it between the lid and the jar, proceed to use spoon as a lever and the pressure inside the jar should be released!

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Lynn Moore
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe these could also be used as age-ism. A youthful person vs. an older person with arthritic hands. Today there are many helpful tools for those who would have a challenge with this process, say....nerve damage, broken hand, deformed hand, paralysis, etc.

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Loretta D la Spriella
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have seen that attitude of ancient toward women being fragile also in movies. The worse in classic Mexican cinema from the 40s and 50s

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Joe Sycamore
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why on Earth would a man dislike these ads? We are not snowflakes and we don't melt in the slightest heat.

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Patrick McKenna
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

they were tying to sell a product. how many times has a woman asked a guy to open a jar of pickles or something? get over it.

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P Webb
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Then just say it's "easy for anyone to open" Don't say, "Even a WOMAN can open it?" It's the condescending tone that makes it sexist.

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Danny Root
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm pretty sure the reasoning behind the original ad was to show a woman having long nails can still open it. Not because she's just a woman. At least that's how I perceive it.

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Kimai Rosy
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nah if we are going to be demeaning to men lets not make them girly caz that is unnatural and therefore ineffective in making them feel the same as a woman would have.

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Jordan Fire Star
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can someone please explain whats sexist about either one of these ads?

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Magpie
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually there is sooo much overlap with strength between male / female. That some women are much stronger than some men. It is more person to person if you actually want to know what is going on with strength.

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John Smith
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6 years ago

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That "man" looks like he just sucked a d**k. Pretty sure he can't open it either.

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#6

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Kjorn
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

either way it's not ok. but people seem to be ok when the role are reverse and it's the men who are in that situation. people find it funny.

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#7

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Ladies and Gentlemen
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Damn, these are really sexist ads. I had never seen them. Glad to see things changed for good.

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