AIBU to complain about condom advert on the Tube?

[PerspicaciousGreen]

I regularly travel on the London Tube with my children. They have eyes. One of them can read a bit. They ask questions. I often have to have conversations with them that I don't think I should have to have at their age simply in order to get from A to B.

I know that I'm more sensitive than average to sexual imagery - both when it comes to me and to my children. For example, I don't like having to go past a whole platform of bra adverts featuring women in, obviously, nothing but their underwear. Yes, I can avert my eyes, but I can't opt out of being aware of them at all. But as I said, I know most people aren't bothered by it and I can't expect TFL to cater to my own personal preferences.

But today I saw an advert by Durex with picture of a young man and a slogan that said something like, "For the condom that fits perfectly every time".

Am I being unreasonable to think that if TFL is going to brand itself as being diverse and open and inclusive, that has to include families with children below the age of consent? And that openly advertising sex products to actual children is not OK? There was no adult-only innuendo or hidden message - I was just grateful our train arrived before my child asked, "Mummy, what's a condom?" A generation ago it would have been unthinkable to have sex adverts in a public place.

I am going to complain to TFL that their advertising policy allows "adult" adverts, but I don't expect to get anywhere with them. So AIBU?

Yabu.. should the entire world just have adverts for childrens things incase they can read?

Yabu. The existence of condoms should not be hidden away. You give your kids an age appropriate answer if they ask - even if it's "they're things for grown ups"

I don't see what's offensive about a condom.

"Mummy what's a condom?"
"Grown-ups use it when they don't want to have babies."

Then tailor further questions appropriately for their age group...

Yabu. Condoms are important for public safety. Kids can have a short explanation it doesn't have to be a big deal at all it's neither here nor there.

I do understand where you are coming from. I try to protect my children from adult themes longer than most. The advert you describes sounds okay though. I would just give a simple explanation to my children if they asked what it was. I think I'd just say that they are for grown ups so that if they don't want a baby they don't have to have one. Mine know (9 and 7) basics but have never asked how the baby gets in the mums tummy yet, so I suppose it depends on the curiosity of your kids. Mine aren't overly yet (boys).

Don't ever take your children to a newsagent then where newspapers like to put the word 'PEDO' in giant letters on the front page or those weekly magazines that have stories about incest, rape, children dying, domestic violence etc all over the front cover (ie Take A Break ).
If your children see a condom ad and they ask what it is just say "I dunno dear" and leave it at that.

I guess I just think there's a difference between an advert in a magazine that is clearly marketed as grown ups, and an advert on the Tube which I think of as being a public space for everyone. I guess to me it feels the same as putting up a billboard with links to a porn site on a public road opposite a primary school. It's opposite a primary school, so obviously kids are going to see it, but it's technically a public space. I think everyone would agree that condom adverts in a CBBC magazine would be inappropriate?

Do you also think condom machines should be removed from supermarket toilets in case little voices ask what condoms are? Or maybe Boots should no longer stock lubricant?

Personally I don't have a problem with small children knowing what condoms are 🤷‍♀️ (yes I was the woman in the cubicle many many many years ago who said 'they're like balloons and go on the man's willy if he and the woman want to have sex but don't want a baby'. Yes there was suppressed laughter from the next cubicle. ).

YABU just say it's for adults. As for women in a bra....get a grip

YABU.

Well, to be honest I don't like those either and try to steer clear of them! I'm glad they're not by the checkouts in our local so we can just skip that aisle! But I recognise that I'm generally out of step with everyone else on that front, so I'm not complaining to Tesco about the magazines.

This is a you problem.

Well no because advertising porn is illegal. And advertising condoms in the CBBC magazine somewhat pointless.

I guess to me it feels the same as putting up a billboard with links to a porn site on a public road opposite a primary school.

It’s definitely not the same though, is it? The ad you’re describing on the tube is just a man and some words. It’s not advertising porn, let alone to children .

Loads of things you could say about what they are but I'd go with the child appropriate truth. No biggie.

Unless there was a photo of him wearing it YABU.

As for bras 🤣😆😂

This ^

Sorry not sorry but fuck help your kids as they grow into teenagers, will you be able to discuss periods, pubic hair, safe, enthusiastic consent sex, sexuality etc?

There are much more worrying things in advertising that durex advertising condoms that fit well (especially since them not fitting is exactly the sort of excuse young men will try to give to naive girls who don’t know that it’s bullshit).

Do you also object to adverts for tampons?

Advertising condoms in CBBC magazine is a straw man argument, of course it wouldn't happen. Most users of the Tube will be adults of consenting age, and considering how busy it is, especially with commuters, it's the perfect place to engage your target audience.

Where would we stop? I'm afraid of spiders, along with countless others, we shouldn't have pictures of spiders in advertising.
Same with snakes, my father has a phobia.
No alcohol either, my friend is a recovering alcoholic.

...It could go on forever.

I have much more of an issue with the images of women in bras. Sexualised images of women in underwear all over tube/train stations contribute to the objectification of women.

Something like the condom ad? Just give the child an age appropriate answer.

Surely encouraging an open and age appropriate conversation is a good thing? I’d rather feel a bit embarrassed when asked and have to explain, rather than secrets later on

'Sex product'

it's for condoms not but plugs!!

why are you conflating a condom advert at a tube station, with advertising porn outside a school.

your views are a bit outdated & you're going to need to sort yourself out fast, they're going to need to understand how babies are made & how important condoms are for the prevention of babies & STI's in a few short years, best you practice getting over yourself - sooner than later.

I'm not sure if you're being serious.

It's not a "sex ad".
Not any more than a Tampax ad is about pussies.

As someone else has said this is a you problem. Where is your line for acceptableness? Is it concern or prudishness or just that you are uncomfortable?
Menstrual products/ alcohol/ make up/ computer games/ public health campaigns targeting adults/ marvel films all aren't aimed at small kids and I'd argue the last one is more problematic as they will want to see them but they are generally a bit too violent. I have much more of a problem with guns and violence than I do with sex and swearing but the former appear regularly in stuff aimed at children, yet it's still the latter that cause the most pearl clutching.
Perhaps think about talking to your kids in an appropriate way or failing that distract them in another way.

Its a condom advert. Unless it features a demo of the product on a dick it’s fine.