Give your baby Soda!

So here we have a fantastic example of a cultural resource being promoted to consumers. The Soda Pop Board of America is using this sign for economic benefit, claiming Laboratory tests over a few years gives enough proof such that a baby (given that that is one of the main subjects in this ad, that and the cola itself) will have a 'higher chance of gaining acceptance and 'fitting in' during those awkward pre-teen and teen years". The target audience therefore is indicated by who is shown on the ad with the baby and cola; a mother, who is (according to the cultural standards on the sign) supposed to be in charge of what is important to your child.

There is a very specific social construction in two respects here; one is that it's okay to give your child a drink which is high in sugar and low in nutritional value - essentially empty calories. More importantly is an interesting description of what exactly would condone a 'Laboratory Test' and more importantly, an effective scientific analysis. To suggest that a few years of research may in turn give enough data to suggest "a lifetime guarantee of happiness" by giving your baby cola is ridiculous and poor practice by today's standards.

One interpretation that can be deduced from this advertisement is a more sexist view that women are viewed as the parent in charge of what will be fed to their child. This advertisement, offering none of its scientific data, provides an example of an 'ideal woman' for this culture, which is clearly a woman who buys soda for their child without any further research.

This signifies that there are two anticipated outcomes of the consumer's thoughts, one is that anything with a long, important sounding name: The Soda Pop Board of America, will give reasonable and accurate scientific data that the consumer can trust, in addition to of course buying as much cola as possible (which would in turn would, no doubt, put money into the pockets of the members of the SPBA) for your baby.

To push a little further, setting a trend such as 'consume this product heavily for social acceptance' also may create a more conventional product out of colas, such that individuals who are not raised on cola or do not drink it would be viewed as not socially acceptable. This creates an almost self perpetuating process, and if not for today's standards on scientific data and proper presentation of evidence, this could be an effective advertisement.

Overall, 'give your baby soda or else they'll be a bad member of society, and it'll be their mother's fault' is not exactly a modern rhetoric for our society!