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?

Fifty years ago my Mum would have said,
"When people are married they have special cuddles which make babies, but sometimes they don't want a baby yet, it's one of the things they can use to stop the baby coming along", what's wrong with that?
Followed by,
"Who wants ice-cream when we get to..."
😎

Couldn’t you just tell them it’s a little hood for Johnny? And when they say “who is Johnny?” say “no dear, it’s “HERE’S JOHNNY!!!” And then get an axe out of your bag and chase them down the train with it?

A distraction always helps I find.

Condoms should be an open subject, not something hidden. Someone close to me was always shielded from the need for condoms and ended up with a serious disease for life. He cannot have a normal relationship thanks to not using condoms when needed. OP it’s better that your children are not shielded.

I 100% believe this is a troll! No way is anyone this backwards

Yes, YABU. The whole world cannot revolve around what you deem appropriate for your children. Condoms are for sale everywhere including supermarkets and public loos. They’re not some taboo item. They’re just a healthcare product.

I think everyone would agree that condom adverts in a CBBC magazine would be inappropriate?

Yep, it's too late by then. If you're buying the CBBC magazine that horse will have bolted some years before. As an already parent, I'd think they were rubbing my nose in it.

It's very common on here

So I sadly think it's not a troll

Maybe they're friends with the posters up in arms about a pornstar martini being on a menu

Advertising condoms on the tube has been going on for at least two generations - since the AIDS epidemic in the 80s. Advertising does seem to have ebbs and flows of risqué-ness, but condom advertising has been pretty constant for 40 years and the advert you describe is just matter of fact, not particularly titillating.

I don’t think there is anything wrong with children knowing about sex and it’s ridiculous to avoid mention of sex because children are around. There are plenty of things children can’t or shouldn’t do that they see references to all the time. Sex is just one of those things.

I think that’s very different from sexualised imagery, though - I think adds that objectify or are intended to titillate shouldn’t be in most public spaces. And probably advertising for services intended to objectify and titillate like porn and sex work (even if the advert itself is fairly matter of fact), should be avoided because of the way it makes women feel less safe. I’d be with you if you were complaining about that.

Probably best you don't use the tube then, in fact.. the world is filled with things you may need to explain to small children, and so it might be better if you put some shutters up over all the windows and stayed indoors without tv, internet, radio, books or magazines until they're 18 and can find all this out for themselves with no preparation or input from you.

What is so very difficult about 'its for grown ups dear' and then distract with something else 'look darling, theres a rat running about on the tracks'....

OP, why are you not also upset about all that imagery of tune trains going into and out of tunnels?

In, then out, in then out again, the ramrod-straight carriages forcing their way into the yielding, dark tunnels, with a shriek, disgorging their load at each station, then off, again, hard into the next willing opening?

Oh dear, I think I need a lie-down.

Get a grip.
I'd love to be the person receiving your complaint. Will give them all a good laugh at least.

🤣😆😂

if your kids ask what condom is, just reply “let’s just say, if your daddy used it, you wouldn’t be here”. Let it sink in

If this is real, then I think you need to work on your issues around sex. You have children, you’re going to need to talk to them about their bodies and sex in the future. If they see you’re uncomfortable, you’ll pass that on your them.

Your poor kids.

It's important for kids to be able to feel comfortable asking you 'embarrassing' questions. Puberty, periods, sex etc. What you're doing is sort of making this kind of thing taboo. Please don't let your own embarrassment rub off on your kids.

My family was a bit like this. When I was 17 I had a urine infection for weeks that spread to my kidneys as I was too embarrassed to tell anyone.

If condoms and their usage is normalised from a young age then when kids are older and become sexually active it’s less of a taboo. Condoms must be normalised in order for their use to be normalised. I’m not suggesting that young children should be bought/use condoms but generally being aware of their existence and that they’re for adults but perfectly normal, like bras, is (to me) a good thing.

You don't say how old your children are but I agree with multiple posters that a very simple and age appropriate explanation is fine.
I grew up in a household where talk of sex, sexuality, contraception, periods and bodily functions were not discussed. I remember seeing a display stand with condoms on (boxes of them) and asking what they were, to be told "You don't need to know" and when I asked again "stop asking questions".
Never saw adults in their underwear, although my Dad did occasionally go swimming. We weren't allowed tampons in a misguided belief about virginity. This was in the 1970s/80s.
Please don't let your children experience the abject embarrassment, naivety and shame I did.

And offended over women wearing bras adverts 😂 best thing I've read on here!

How often do your children ask ‘what’s a pension’ ‘what is insurance’ ‘what is Nivea’ and any number of other things advertised to adults on the tube that don’t come with child-interesting graphics etc?

My curious early reader: never.

You sound like a massive prude. Your little angels aren't going to turn into sexual deviants by seeing a lady in a bra ffs. They could potentially end up seeing far worse than advertisements just by travelling on the tube you know.

This is the sort of thread that makes you search the OP. Slightly sad to see she’s set on homeschooling, so god only knows when the poor chap will find out about sex 🙄

This is why homeschooling shouldn't be allowed

Loons doing it

Back in around 2003, there was an advert for Trojan on the sides of bus stops.

It showed a close up of a woman's face as she was climaxing.

It was completely inappropriate and I remember being mortified when I drove past it with my parents and grandparents.

But this isn't that. There's no problem with advertising condoms, so long as the rest of the advert is appropriate.

A generation ago it would have been unthinkable to have sex adverts in a public place

I’m really interested as to what time period you think you’re referencing here?

just explain in an age-appropriate way, if they’re asking they need an answer. If you struggle to do that you really have issues yourself tbh. You don’t have to say ‘it’s to keep people safe from diseases and babies when they want to hump morning, noon and night’