Let's talk about sex toys (well, ads for them on Mumsnet), please

'Never advertise banks, didn't you know their funding policies lead to the killing of kittens'

Because cluster bombs are aimed at kittens doncha know

OMFG!!!

No, MNHQ, just no.

I think that some the images related to some of the products are sexist.

Most of the toys themselves seem to be almost bizarrely unisex - there seem to be very few products that men aren't equally keen to use on themselves (regardless of the marketing material).

Surely the way to deal with that is to choose to only purchase products that are not marketed in a sexist way.

Oh for goodness sake. What next. Don't take Asda adverts, their parent company sells arms. Never advertise banks, didn't you know their funding policies lead to the killing of kittens

Put a intermediary screen up between the ads and the sites with a disclaimer on if you want That will stop people having to go there by accident. But honestly, the internet is full of porn. Going online and then complaining there is mysogynist crap on it is like saying 'I had this baby and it cries and shits all the time' Of course if you delve into a site for sex toys you'll find some dodgy stuff. There is a market for it. You can also go to John Lewis and find carving knives which could actually kill you if inserted into the stomach

The thing is, this site is commercial. I tend to visit every day. Once a quarter or so I'll click through on an advert. In those 90-odd days I have received and offered advice I probably would not get elsewhere. It's a bit like breast milk advertising by formula companies. Not ideal but if it's the only way it gets funded, it's necessary to maintain the facility.

I just want to read that product test thread

A lot of the posters seem very hung up on the speculums for sale. I have no idea why anyone would want to buy one, or use one, but if they do I can't see any reason to object to them wanting to - you don't have to browse that category on their site any more than you have to look at offensive "fun" cardigans etc. on the Boden one.

I won't link because it is slightly more odd, but spicesforlove.com is another site that is commonly referred to in the same breath as passion8 or Ann Summers and their stuff does seem surprising for something non specialist.

MN please don't bother with Myla or the other site mentioned - they are far to expensive for most of us (I think)

Read up the thread, plenty of examples.

How is it sexism? Women like having sex too!

It doesn't address the sexism aspect though, does it, the 18+ thing?

Yes i like the idea of age rating it. Anything with 18+ on it i would not click on if my children were here but its still my choice if they were in bed

Best of both worlds

Cheep - that's the sort of thing I think would be OK. MN could even flag it with an 18+ symbol, like the film and games people use.

That way it wouldn't attract much attention from children and adults would only click through if they want to/now what to expect.

If it was just a word ad and no pictures, something like "Lovehoney as shop for adults who love!"

It would be more acceptable.

That's given me paws for thought

But Hully - most glass dildos are pyrex, so freezer and dishwasher proof. Frightfully practical and ideal for stirring a casserole.

No, but they do come with an old english sheepdog for your erotic pleasure

I have not read the whole thread but my main concern would be that i mumsnet in the day when my children are here and i do not want to have to explain about sex toys to them.

After all its a website for mums and dads, so you need to expect there to be children looking what we are doing.

I already have trouble hiding the tesco ad with the ride on toys from son and as there is no warning what the ad's contain i would have to stop mumsnetting

I respect their right to, but not their choice, iyswim.

Arf at Dulux sex toys. Do they come in a range of colours?

notcitrus

Um, no. I can't respect anyone who embraces a buttplug, glass zigzag or similar.

It is quite simply beyond me.

Soz.

I know, I got it, made me laugh even more how's that for a coincidence

aaaww my sides

so the question is do we want sex shops on MN?

do you really need to ask?

NO.

the misogyny, the tackiness, the lack of need, want and the fact that this is a site for mums who funnily enough have kids running around and don't want them looking at sex shop ads over our shoulders etc etc.

what made mnhq think this was apropriate? and who said yes to putting them on the relationships board?

ooooo sexy doggy synchronicity

I use Adblock so don't see any ads here, but would have no problem with LoveHoney ads on Chat/AIBU/the 'fun' bits of MN.

Yes, I find some of what they sell distasteful, but I can't respect the complaints about nurse's uniforms etc - unless MN should also boycott supermarkets and ELC and all the shops and TV channels which advertise stereotyped dressing-up clothes to children? At least MN's audience is adults.

Also could people please remember that while BDSM or other fetishes may be distasteful to you, the people who practise them and buy speculums/adult nappies/butt plugs etc are real people, including many women, and almost certainly including users of this site. Please could people disagree respectfully rather than dehumanise them.

(Brain - you said "howls" about the dog stuff - geddit?)