The car dealer who makes a casually sexist comment about a woman buying a car ought to be a stereotype we left behind in the 20^th century.

But a local dealership's current radio ad had me laughing and then despairing on my morning commute (driving my own car, of course).

A woman has a terrible dilemma: should her 'hubby” buy her a car or jewellery for their anniversary? Of course, the great deals on offer means she must have a car – then, thank goodness, all she has to worry about is which colour she should choose.

Perhaps I lack a sense of humour or am oversensitive. But evidence from hundreds of studies proves that promoting societal stereotypes, including suggesting that women need to be financially dependent on men and lack the capacity to make their own informed decisions, can have meaningful harmful effects: disadvantaging women in the workplace and increasing gender-based violence. The UN Human Rights Office cites harmful gender stereotypes as a root cause of discrimination and abuse.

I would be much more likely to spend my (self-earned) dollars on one of their cars if this dealership rejected lazy clichés in favour of more imaginative and respectful marketing.

Dr Philippa Wood, Brookfield