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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

#5

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

Needs high heels to make it look really sexy. ( bitter sarcasm) Hi heels are painful and damage leg hip and foot tendons.

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Andres Tejeda
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a man that sometimes cooks for his wife, This has actually happened. Burned the food, but the beer survived.

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

for some reason i think the girls would look better in suits than men do in dresses

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

Okay.. drink your fresh beer anyway and take me out to dinner, I am starving sweetheart... - to add to the passive aggressive behavior of the add

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

The new one is merely sexist toward both. Look at the differences between the man's suit in the old one and the woman's suit in the new one. They can't help being sexist against the women. If they weren't, her suit wouldn't be "snug" or "form fitted".

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

No her suit looks nice. BTW his suit on the left IS form fitting. Fitted to HIS fit & trim form. Women looking like women is NOT sexist. I prefer NOT to be hidden away in boxy "mannish" clothes.

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Joseph Baumbach
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one dose not bother me to much, as cooking skills are a lot art no matter the sex

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

These facial expressions straight out don't match. I don't see any reversal of roles.

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

I feel like the role reversal couple in all these are in a Dom/sub relationship. The others are just typical for the 50s. Still...

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Isabella
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6 years ago

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If I want to cook for my man, what is wrong with that and what is sexist from his side? He shouldn't accept? I have been in exactly this situation described here and I almost cried because my surprise dinner was ruined, but we made fun together that at least we could have the wine. :)) Too many things are considered sexist without any real reason and I think we should be more careful where we push the boundaries.

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

There's anything bad, if someone wants to cook for her/his partner! :) But I think this add is refering to the situation, when the woman had no choice but to do it. And the man had the power over her like to forgive her for ruining the dinner or to be pissed about that. I imagine (and hope) that wasn't the situation always, but I think this is what this add is refering to.

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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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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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