A new advertisement for Crown Paints featuring a couple expecting a child has drawn criticism for suspected “sexism,” with viewers labelling it “misogynistic,” “derogatory to women,” and “vomit-inducingly cutesy.”
The ad is one of several sing-along commercials that the paint company has posted on its social media accounts, recounting various “life tales” with the help of a chorus of singers.
It relates the tale of “Hannah and Dave,” a couple who met at a party and fell in love. Dave wants a child, but Hannah isn’t sure.
A male vocalist intentionally sings to the camera, “Hannah’s praying for a daughter, Dave only hopes that it’s his,” when Hannah really becomes pregnant.
Online users responded angrily to the advertisement. On Twitter, Tara wrote: “Dave thinks it’s his?” Are we still living in the 1970s? Disgusting. And nauseatingly cutesy.
Additionally, a woman is not permitted to choose whether or not to have children. There shouldn’t be any pressure put on anybody to have kids. Your advertising staff is a farce.
Tweeted Jenny Scott, “Seriously terrible advertisement. People often reassure women who don’t want children that they will change their views. This advertisement just reinforces that erroneous narrative.
Absolutely horrible advertisement portraying Hannah as a promiscuous lady, according to Sonja Evans.
‘Excuse me, Dave simply hopes that it’s his,’ Alex Lacey said on Facebook. What were you thinking, really? This is a scandal.
“Dave thinks that it’s his,” uh, what the heck is it?,” tweeted Nicola Piper.
On Facebook, Caroline Parsons posted: “This is so demeaning to women… He’s hoping it’s his; who the hell created this ad?
There’s a kid on the way. I don’t frequently get irritated, but come on… unlawful raves that portray women as skanks.
Maddi Newton said, “Really irritated by this advertisement! implying that ladies aren’t aware of their own thoughts and one again making fun of childless people… Without using the phrase “Dave just hopes it’s his,” Awful.’
It’s not simply paint, said Susan Pugh, “it’s demeaning to women and a c*** advertisement.”
Crown Paints stated in response to some of the criticism, “We are sorry you feel this way. Hannah comes across as a strong female character who is confident in her ability to make choices on her own and in charge of whether or not she changes her mind.
We apologise if the statement in the advertisement offended you; we were only attempting to lightheartedly recount one of life’s most memorable experiences.