Okay, the world is facing one dire issue after another. Activists are overwhelmed, not knowing what to tackle first. So I guess this diary is rather frivolous in the face of all that, but I’m really bumfuzzled by this
NYT article.
CBS and Fox have refused to air Trojan condom ads because they are not specifically tailored to the prevention of STDs and might, gasp, promote the idea of birth control.
The article goes on and on about whether or not this is reasonable. It discusses the presence of erectile dysfunction ads and ponders why Trojan ads can’t be shown on these networks.
But it never mentions the fact that ads for female contraception can be seen everyday – low dose pills, chewable pills, rings, patches. Yes, they can be advertised. But condoms for birth control!!!!! OMG. Could it be possible that men have some responsibility for this? Apparently, Fox and CBS think not.
Just a thought, might it be that men without condoms being depicted as pigs is possibly offensive to some individuals? Yes, I know that Fox is not known for its good taste , but both CBS and Fox have had condom ads before. Acknowledging that Fox is out of the mainstream of broadcasters and has its axe to grind, CBS is the only mainstream outlet that balked. The ad was apparently readily accepted elsewhere.
Very interesting point. You did point out a blind spot that I had, since I really didn’t question the pig analogy. Sorry guys.
Yet, men being irresponsible about birth control is kind of piggissh behavior. (Of course women who are irresponsible could be considered sows.) However, women who are responsible are often considered sluts for being prepared — especially if their method of choice is a condom. And Trojan is hoping more women buy their product, again placing the responsibilty on the woman. Of course, women face greater consequences from unwanted preganacy than men do, so any woman who doesn’t take the initiative in this matter is engaging in pretty risky behavior.
Our culture needs to get real about these issues.
Thanks for making me look at this through different eyes, though.
To be honest, our preferred method of birth control has always been condoms. They’ve worked for us just fine.
These were the written responses from Fox and CBS:
“In a written response to Trojan, though, Fox said that it had rejected the spot because, ‘Contraceptive advertising must stress health-related uses rather than the prevention of pregnancy.‘
In its rejection, CBS wrote, ‘while we understand and appreciate the humor of this creative, we do not find it appropriate for our network even with late-night-only restrictions.'”
Apparently…because there seems to be no problem with this Vagisil ad Jessica wrote about at feministing. Too bad no one has found the video clip of it yet.
And while you’re there, click through to the Vagisil website for your interactive tour of what they actually call “down there”. I kid you not.
An interactive tour of “down there”?!!! OMG. I couldn’t stop laughing when I saw that. Bring your trojans and join in the action.
This reminds me of a commercial that Lois Murphy (contender for PA-06) ran at the end of her campaign.
It featured Lois facing the camera and at the bottom of the screen was a picture of the Capitol Building.
Lois looks down at her crotch and says, “What’s going on down there.”
She never recovered and lost by an tiny number of votes.
That ad was so peculiar. I thought maybe my head was a little off for wondering why she was contemplating her vagina in a campaign commercial the first time I saw it. Glad to have some company. Do you think it’s really the reason she lost?
It didn’t help that it made her look ridiculous.
That ad sounds like a classic. I’m surprised it didn’t win a Clio. OOOPS.
That truly is the most offensive anti-woman ad I’ve seen in a very long time.
Maybe the real reason for the rejection was the tag at the end of the ad:
But it also has a message, spelled out at the end: “Evolve. Use a condom every time.”
“Evolve?!” Could this be the liberal media doing more subtle proselytizing for the “theory” of evolution?
You’re right. There will be no evolving allowed!
“Evolve?!” Could this be the liberal media doing more subtle proselytizing for the “theory” of evolution?
That would be enough for Fox not to run it.
this doesn’t even make a surface amount of sense. I don’t get it.
What don’t you get? The diary or the rejection of the ad?
The justification for the rejection of the ad. It doesn’t make even a surface amount of sense. I’d be less surprised if the reasoning were reversed and they refused to air condom commercials for the prevention of STD’s.
Makes no sense.
Through some weird twist of fate, one of my dearest friends found a business in gay male porn. He focuses on kinks and does them in a cool and loving way. At any rate, he’s told me about the weird laws he has to circumnavigate. I don’t remember all the ins and outs (g), but there are serious rules about showing a penis. He has to trick the Canadian border patrol. It’s another vestige of male dominance…you can show perky nipples, but an erect penis is just too much.
Bloody crazy.
I’ve had my young daughter play with condoms. I want her to feel comfortable around them, and what better way than through play.
Today one can volunteer to be a medical test subject.
Today women can alter their cycles.
We can’t say even our dog food or our toothpaste is safe.
In the development of the atomic bomb it has been reported that some of the scientists theorized the nuclear reaction might have continued unchecked thus turning the entire universe into oblivion.
Science has moved on. We have Monsanto genetically altering seeds such that they die, and then you have to buy more Monsanto seeds. We discovered the awesome power fo depleted uranium and it’s half life of 4.5 billion years. Then we have the biotech sector with its 400 plus bio-safety level 4 labs plus the unknowns involved in nanotech. Given all this I wonder if there will be enough surviving penises around in the next five years.