Las Vegas: Sin and Sexism
In both of the casino areas of Las Vegas, sexist images are common:
whether on billboards for
shows, the back of taxicabs,
or signs for bars.
What makes this
advertisement
for the Sahara casino-hotel
sexist?
Answer: a bathing "beauty" is being used to advertise hotel rooms!
Does
she come with the package? Hardly! Notice no man in a bathing suit is shown,
or even a family. The hotel is targeting heterosexual men rather than
women or
families.
Gender exclusivity is sexist.
How does this
kind
of
"sinning" (and sexism) relate to more "serious" sexual
activities?
Are there consequences to how women are treated in Las Vegas, and elsewhere? In 2000, Nevada had one arrest for every 478 residents for prostitution or "commercial vice"; neighboring California only had one such arrest for every 2,731 residents [Source: The Economist, 10 May 2003, p. 29]. On the map, Las Vegas is located in the "red" (highest values) county with rape crimes per 100,000 population. The legend is shown below.
