From Toxic Masculinity To The Strength Of Men, Gillette Sheds a New Light On The Power Of Military Families | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Military

From Toxic Masculinity To The Strength Of Men, Gillette Sheds a New Light On The Power Of Military Families

Gillette faced scrutiny in January following their release of a commercial relating to toxic masculinity and in their new commercial released last week, they show the strength of men in the military and the challenges they face every day.

158
From Toxic Masculinity To The Strength Of Men, Gillette Sheds a New Light On The Power Of Military Families
https://unsplash.com/photos/Um9WPLvWV_M

Gillette's new commercial focuses on the challenges that veterans face when they return from service and transition back into society. It highlights struggles that many people do not think about and shows a different perspective on how different their lives may be. The commercial featured the servicemen's family life, as well as obstacles such as retirement and entering the private sector.

The company paired up with Operation Homefront, a charity that supports military families financially and mentally, and donated $2.5 million worth of products to the families across the nation. Gillette is also trying to spread awareness about the real challenges that military families face daily through social media. They are spreading stories relating to physical and mental struggles, and how it is possible to go through life with these challenges.

The video begins with a veteran waking up early, applying deodorant, and showing a side by side of his past life through a morning in service, and his present life, eating breakfast with his child. It then follows the man running through his neighborhood, as compared to carrying a tree through the woods. He is shown through various instances with his children, and missing them while he is away by looking at old photos and thinking about old memories. This video truly highlights the physical and mental struggles that military families face in their everyday lives

At the beginning of the year, Gillette released a commercial featuring the controversy surrounding toxic masculinity. It faced a lot of backlashes, and I believe that they released this commercial to reinstate society's opinion of their brand. The commercial highlighted real-world issues such as bullying, sexual harassment, and the #metoo movement. The commercial questions, is this the best a man can get? Gillette pushes that men can be better than what they are being accused of across the world. The commercial was trying to highlight the "boys will be boys" mentality and show that they are more than that.

Although neither of my parents was in the military, my uncles and grandpa were in the military for years and it definitely influenced our family dynamic. Christmas', birthdays', and summers were not the same when they were away. Besides the physical missing of them, there is also the worry of what they are doing and if they are safe. I have big respect for families that face these challenges every day and still manage to have a positive outlook on life.

I am a volunteer in the emergency room at the veterans' hospital, and I can definitely say that the love that families have for each other definitely comes out when they are faced with these daily struggles. Although it is a difficult thing to face, it brings families closer for the better and makes them more appreciative of each other. I did not completely agree with the logic behind the toxic masculinity commercial, but I really appreciate what Gillette did to show another side of men in the military. This commercial shows a new side of the strength that military families, as well as the veterans themselves, have and what a difference they truly make to this country.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Parks And Rec
NBC

Your professor mentions there's a test in a few days and you didn't know about it.

Keep Reading...Show less
Blair Waldorf

Resting b***h face. Defined as a person, usually a girl, who naturally looks mean when her face is expressionless, without meaning to. Many of you suffer from this "condition." You are commonly asked what's wrong, when nothing is. What people don't know is that is just your facial expression. Here are some things they wish you knew.

Keep Reading...Show less
ross geller
YouTube

As college students, we are all familiar with the horror show that is course registration week. Whether you are an incoming freshman or selecting classes for your last semester, I am certain that you can relate to how traumatic this can be.

1. When course schedules are released and you have a conflict between two required classes.

Bonus points if it is more than two.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

12 Things I Learned my Freshmen Year of College

When your capability of "adulting" is put to the test

5157
friends

Whether you're commuting or dorming, your first year of college is a huge adjustment. The transition from living with parents to being on my own was an experience I couldn't have even imagined- both a good and a bad thing. Here's a personal archive of a few of the things I learned after going away for the first time.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

Economic Benefits of Higher Wages

Nobody deserves to be living in poverty.

303652
Illistrated image of people crowded with banners to support a cause
StableDiffusion

Raising the minimum wage to a livable wage would not only benefit workers and their families, it would also have positive impacts on the economy and society. Studies have shown that by increasing the minimum wage, poverty and inequality can be reduced by enabling workers to meet their basic needs and reducing income disparities.

I come from a low-income family. A family, like many others in the United States, which has lived paycheck to paycheck. My family and other families in my community have been trying to make ends meet by living on the minimum wage. We are proof that it doesn't work.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments