The society would benefit from a ban on all forms of advertising because it serves no useful purpose, and can even be damaging.
Do you agree or disagree?
Keyword: a ban on all forms of advertising, serves no useful purpose, even be damaging
Sample Answer:
The ubiquity of advertising in today’s world is undeniable, as it has permeated nearly every aspect of our lives. From my point of view, although the proliferation of advertising brings certain drawbacks, mainly by changing what facets or values of life people should attach importance to, I do not totally agree that it solely has negative implications and that all forms should be banned.
Admittedly, it is true that advertising shapes people’s perception of what should be considered as important. Firstly, the bombardment of various forms of advertisements has given rise to a culture in which consumerism and materialism are promoted. In other words, the accumulation of material possessions and products take precedence over other values and experiences, which potentially results in a shallow pursuit of happiness when people are led to believe that what they possess is a determinant of their worth and value in society. In addition, some advertisements use manipulative or deceptive tactics to tempt consumers into buying products they may not need or that do not live up to their claims. It can appeal to emotions, create unrealistic desires, and exploit vulnerabilities, leading people to make impulsive and sometimes regrettable decisions.
However, there are convincing arguments against the blanket statement that advertising detrimentally influences people’s lives. To begin with, advertising serves as a valuable source of information about products, services, events, and new innovations, which in turn allows consumers to stay informed about the options available in the market and provides details that can assist them in making informed decisions. Secondly, commercials have a crucial role to play in enabling businesses to build and reinforce brand identity. By increasing the products and services’ visibility via advertising, companies can target new markets and expand their customer base, both domestically and internationally, which contributes to long-term business success. On top of that, some forms of advertising provide a platform through which social issues are brought to the fore and awareness-raising campaigns can receive more attention among the public.
In conclusion, while it is understandable why the advertising industry impacts what people regard as important, I am of the opinion that advertising should not be prohibited outright, as it also brings a great number of benefits to consumers, businesses and even society at large.
(375 words)
