Sanitary products in the media

[Empusa]

Seeing as I seem to be taking another thread way off topic, I find it interesting the way advertising of feminine hygiene products has still got some stigma attached to it.

For example;
In The UK Code of Broadcast Advertising it says that
"These products may not be advertised in or adjacent to programmes commissioned for, principally directed at or likely to appeal particularly to children below the age of 10:
sanitary protection products"

[Empusa]

Hit the wrong button still more to type..

[fuzzywuzzy]

Really? That's so weird what do you suppose they think will happen if children below 10 see adverts for sanpro?

I got my first period at 9 btw so I would have been a good target audience then...pre mumsnet & the mooncup!


It doesn't make any sense, the ads are hardly graphic.

[Empusa]

Advert banned for us of the word vagina.

I will write more tomorrow, as things have been a bit hectic here.

But I find it interesting that an entirely natural bodily function which affects half the population is treated as if it was obscene and taboo.

I'd be interested to know why children aren't allowed to be exposed to ads for sanitary towels etc.

[Empusa]

I started when I was 10, so apparently I was only just old enou7gh to know about periods. (Thank god my mum was more sensible and had told me years before)

[LilBB]

Could we not apply the same logic to the ban on advertising of condoms during programmes aimed at under 10s? Sex is perfectly natural but I dont think it's appropriate to advertise condoms during kids shows. It is up to us to teach our children about these things not from adverts. I didn't start my my periods til I was 14 but I knew well before then what they were as my mum was very open and also had sex Ed lessons at school. Similarly I knew about sex from a young age as it was explained to me in an age appropriate way when I was young. Most of the ads for tampons and pads are load of airy fairy stupid tosh about having a happy period or clubbing without interference of mother natures gift. I think it's better if children learn about all these things without ads to confuse them.

[LilBB]

Just wanted to add even if they removed these restrictions that it's unlikely the companies would pay to advertise these products during these programmes. Let's face it they advertise to their demographic. Have you ever seen Lelli Kelly ad not between a kids show? Kids don't buy or want tampax so companies would not buy these ad slots.

[SpringchickenGoldBrass]

It's certainly a bit irrelevant to advertise sanpro during kids' programmes - same as it would be to advertise stairlifts or annuities or denture adhesive.

[LilBB]

What on earth is sanpro?

[LilBB]

Just realised it's sanitary products. I thought it was a brand name. Was imagining something along the lines of vagisil.

[hazeybabes]

Thanks for the link Empusa. I thought their alternative advert was genius!

[Himalaya]

My kids are weirdly interested in dishwasher powder adverts - " ... mum, do we use Calgon?"

I think sanpro ads are not on kids TV because most parents dont want to start up this discussion with little brother, big sister, childminder, granddad etc... in front of In The Night Garden.

I don't know if it's better that Menstruation should be less 'private' and therefore seen as shameful or just respected as something that is private.

[Himalaya]

of course no ad breaks in ITNG...

[LilBB]

Do you think it's seen as shameful in the UK? I'm open with DD about things as I want her to know it's normal but I keep it private. I wouldnt walk in work and go 'bloody hell its a heavy flow day today' equally I wouldn't walk in and declare I had thrush or cystitis or had sex last night.

[DirtyMartini]

Not sure what other thread was about but did you see that the first ever sanpro ad showing "blood" (is actually not blood but tiny neat red dot) instead of blue liquid, has been produced by A Leading Brand? Saw it on twitter last night, from Huffington Post I think.

hang on

link

[Himalaya]

LilBB - Not really shameful - wrong word, but embarrassing, especially for young girls. I agree, am open with my boys about it, but it isn't necessarily a conversation I want to have while watching TV with them with FIL and MIL etc...is that my hang-up to be overcome, or normal privacy to be respected...

[TrillianAstra]

What about tena lady?

[GrimmaTheNome]

Just wanted to add even if they removed these restrictions that it's unlikely the companies would pay to advertise these products during these programmes. Let's face it they advertise to their demographic. Have you ever seen Lelli Kelly ad not between a kids show? Kids don't buy or want tampax so companies would not buy these ad slots.

I never let DD watch ads alone - if I wanted to be able to leave her unattended for a while it'd have to be an ad-less channel. This was because - apart from ensuring I laughed like a drain at kids products I didn't want her tempted by - there also seemed to be lots of ads for loan companies and the like. So... there are mothers/carers watching kids tv, and clearly advertisers do buy these slots for non-kid products and services.