behind the "mystique"

In my attempt to get a headstart for the approaching term, I've started reading some of my books now. One such book, "The Feminine Mystique" written in 1963 by the founder of NOW, Betty Friedan has me engrossed with a paranoia not of the expected things like government but further reaching. My paranoia is directed towards advertisers. This book, written over 40 years ago clearly lays out a plan to play upon female oppression for better markert dollars. By depriving women opportunity outside of the home and keeping them dependant upon an unsatisfied longing the creaters of everything from cake mix to cars was able to prey upon this longing ...to offer their object to fill the void. The scary part are the "depth surveys" done that so closely detail the intimate longings of these housewives and the plans to keep them as such in a attempt to keep a market open. The connection behind this advertising is scarier still. After WWII, there was a need to find a home or purpose for the new technology from the war and with that technology came a need for a market for it. So  it goes without saying that the cleaning/ cooking appliances make  a good sell the status hungry housewife. What i want to know was what came first...The advertisers, the goods and technology or the capitolist market and system that took advantage of the whole situation??? Either way these techniques are still clearly in use today and i'm sure with more detailed surveys. All that can be done is to make oneself as educated a consumer as possible. Here are some sites to help us all do that. Adbusters is a good one .

There is also some good info at the consumer watchdog site. Any other are WELCOME!!!!!