"She" sells ... by the sea shore!

Take a look at the image below:

Source

A woman in a two-piece swimsuit, staring at the ocean with a drink in her hand.  Right?

Now, imagine a man in his swim trunks staring at the ocean with a drink in his hand.

Unless the image of the woman is needed because it is a part of a story in which women are the focus, the story can be told with an image of a man, yes?

If the story is not really about women, or a woman, then why the graphic of a woman in a two-piece swimsuit with a drink on her hand?

It is the old saw of objectification of women. Sex sells!

BTW, the writer is a guy.  All the more then why a graphic of a guy in his swim trunks is more appropriate, I would think.

The story for which that graphic is a lead-in has the byline "one of the best ways to reduce stress while traveling is to just plan less and let spontaneity take over."  Tell me again why you need for this a graphic of a woman in a two-piece swim suit with a drink in her hand!

And, this is in the NY Times!

Oh well ...

As for the content?  I largely agree with the point that he makes: "I strongly recommend considering planning less, even if that’s leaving just a few days open."

Surely there are other graphics that will work to get this point across, don't you think?