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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that JLS condoms are really inappropriate?!

75 replies

lurcherlover · 18/11/2011 23:34

...saw them in Tesco earlier. Packs of 3, made by Durex, each pack with a pic of one of the JLS boys on. They do say "16+" on the pack but AIBU to think this is basically condoning underage sex, given that a) the average age of a JLS fan is 12 and b) if you choose your contraception based on whether or not it has a picture of a boyband member on the box you're probably not as mature as you could be?

OP posts:
GypsyMoth · 18/11/2011 23:35

Dont be daft!

EightiesChick · 18/11/2011 23:35

I do think it's a completely bizarre marketing decision. Goodness knows who will actually buy them.

EightiesChick · 18/11/2011 23:36

Actually, on reflection, I assume they're aimed at gay men...

worraliberty · 18/11/2011 23:40

YABU

And it saddens me they say 16+

Do they think the 12 to 15yr olds who have sex don't need them?

No-one is going to decide to have sex based on a boy band on the front of the packet....but they might just think it's 'cool' to wear a condom if the people they look up to (and yes, plenty do look up to JLS) are promoting them.

Ifancyashandy · 18/11/2011 23:40

Some under 16's have sex. It's not ideal but it happens. If they are more likely to use a condom because they saw a pack with JLS on the front then I'm all for it.

splashymcsplash · 18/11/2011 23:42

I think bizarre rather than inappropriate. There faces alone are probably contraception enough!

Original poster
lurcherlover · 18/11/2011 23:42

I am a teacher...and I know some very impressionable 14 year olds who might have sex because there's a boy band on the packet.

OP posts:
Sevenfold · 18/11/2011 23:44

splashymcsplash brilliant

worraliberty · 18/11/2011 23:46

I am a teacher...and I know some very impressionable 14 year olds who might have sex because there's a boy band on the packet

Oh do me a favour!!

What 14yr old is going to rush out and lose their virginity because they happened to be in a chemist and spot a boy band on the front of a condom packet?

Utter, Utter bollocks and quite frankly I'm shocked you even posted that if you really are a teacher!!

TheLaineyWayIsEssex · 18/11/2011 23:47

Get a grip.

GypsyMoth · 18/11/2011 23:47

A teacher?? No way!

KatieMiddIeton · 18/11/2011 23:50

Yabu and neurotic. They won't encourage people to have sex; they encourage safe sex.

startail · 18/11/2011 23:51

Given my 10 year old likes JLS and my 13 year old doesn't, you could wonder about it as a marketing statergy.

worraliberty · 18/11/2011 23:54

Not really startail as they have literally hundreds of thousands teenage fans

It makes sense to try to get the safe sex message across in this way

crazygracieuk · 18/11/2011 23:57

You never know- maybe it sends the message that JLS uses condoms so girls should ask their boyfriends to use one too. Also possibly plants the seed amongst a demographic who will talk and be interested in sex that condoms are a good thing and in an ideal world someone who didn't know what a condom was might use one.

Original poster
lurcherlover · 18/11/2011 23:57

I'm not really being neurotic - I'm not as mad about them as my OP sounded. Just saw them and thought they were odd, and then later thought actually they're quite inappropriate. I do stand by my thought that they will encourage some kids - the ones who are going to have underage sex anyway safely will buy regular condoms, but there are a lot of impressionable kids out there without decent role models who see things like this that arguably make sex more attractive/glamorous, and who could potentially be influenced by it.

OP posts:
somedayma · 18/11/2011 23:58

Don't be bloody ridiculous. attitudes like yours are why the unplanned pregnancy rate is so high in this country. I despair

Original poster
lurcherlover · 18/11/2011 23:58

good point crazygracie - I hope that's the effect they have.

OP posts:
GypsyMoth · 18/11/2011 23:58

I despair too

Original poster
lurcherlover · 18/11/2011 23:59

I have a very pragmatic approach to underage sex, somedayma. If kids are going to do it they're going to do it, and obviously I would want them to be using condoms. No need for you to despair Smile But that doesn't mean Durex has to go out of their way to market products at kids.

OP posts:
crazygracieuk · 19/11/2011 00:00

Also could it be because with sexually active teens, the boy is the one who usually buys condoms where as the condom makers want teen girls to think it's ok to buy them?

squeakytoy · 19/11/2011 00:01

Well if a 14yo is so easily led that she will have sex because of a boyband face on a packet of condoms, its a bloody good job it is a packet of condoms!

the ones who are going to have underage sex anyway safely will buy regular condoms

I hope to god that sex education is not one of your subjects if you are a teacher... the ones that are underage are the ones LEAST likely to use protection!

cantspel · 19/11/2011 00:01

Thse condoms were released as part of the new JLS Charitable Foundation. The message to their fans is to stay safe and all profits go to the charity.

They are giving a message that safe sex is cool and helping to promote responsible and safe attitudes to sexual health. What is wrong with that?

NJE · 19/11/2011 00:01

Although I personally would never buy them I think I rather have young people buying and using them because JLS is on the cover than young people are not using them and getting pregnant.

Neither do I think that children will go and only have sex because JLS is on the cover of the package.

Sevenfold · 19/11/2011 00:02

I can kind of see where the op is coming from, JLS is a boy band, their fans are going to be very young,
perhaps there are better groups out there to get over 16's to think about condoms

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