Smoking is a behavioral act that is hard to detain from the social life of our society. Some say that smoking plays a big role in creating bonds within one another in a social circle, although a box of cigarettes contains numerous substances that can jeopardize the health of smokers. As of now, smoking is enjoyed by all social classes, the stigma of women smoking is still circulating in the general public. Women with smoking behavior are often regarded as unacceptable and stereotyped with negative adjectives-unfeminine and degrading attributes. This fact represents that society views smoking as male behavior and inappropriate for women. So, how did the public begin to have this stigma of women smoking cigarettes?
We all can't deny that advertisement has changed us in taking acts, and by some means, it drives the audience's mindset about what's for them and what's not. Commercials that we often see on the internet, television, and billboards about cigarettes are mostly dominated by men--at least, that's what we have nowadays. With this being true, somehow grows the idea that cigarettes are a gendered product that is specified for men only.
On the contrary with how it was, by the first decades of the twentieth century, cigarettes were initially advertised for women--as it was related to changing social customs with attractive young women who remained feminine and not a threat to gender roles. However, by any means, the smoking campaign gradually changed to portray strong, rugged, and independent men like Camel's advertisement in the 1980 era, which carried the 'Where a Man Belongs' slogan. The image-change of masculinity in cigarettes' advertisements has managed to leave being irrelevant for women's consumption.
Even though it's not always perceived this way, some people-mostly older generations-tend to think so as their personal opinion. It is known that the idea of women from society's perspective is always related to feminine traits-graceful, courteous, and reserved. Therefore, female smoking behavior opposes the image of cigarettes that is often portrayed as male attributes.
Even though it's not always perceived this way, some people-mostly older generations-tend to think so as their personal opinion. It is known that the idea of women from society's perspective is always related to feminine traits-graceful, courteous, and reserved. Therefore, female smoking behavior opposes the image of cigarettes that is often portrayed as male attributes.
However, smokers and non-smokers have contrary views about the smoking behavior of female smokers. Non-smokers' portrayal of female smoking behavior is mostly based on the older cultural stereotype of being unfeminine--while smokers' are likely to take the view of greater independence for being liberated. Regardless of the positive point of view that women hold for having associations with cigarettes, the stereotype that women get for having a smoking habit majorly revolves around negative conceptions.
Despite society's views of women with smoking behavior, the decision when women take action is not supposed to be generalized. And this one specific female way of behaving has also been regarded as a feminist movement that counters society's expectation of women and fights for equal perception from the general public. Whether or not women choose to relate themselves with cigarettes for gaining relaxation, relief, and pleasure, their values are supposed to remain unquestioned. Without encouraging young generations to try cigarettes and or to have smoking behavior, everyone's choices should be considered respectfully and equally.
(DIP/MEL)