To think 'first blood in your knickers' and a drawing of children's underwear with blood spots

[OneOfThoseOldFashionedWomen]

Is closer to red flags than it is to child safeguarding?

What do you mean 'closer to red flags than it is to child safeguarding'? That sentence doesn't make a lot of sense

It's a sweet poem and I like the advert creatively but I'm not sure what it's aiming to achieve, so from that perspective it's not very successful. Not sure what it has to do with red flags or safeguarding though.

The poem is dreadful- just a series of cliches- and it didn’t really speak to me at all. I found it very negative, although maybe it’s supposed to be negative to better speak to people who are struggling. Not my bag anyway.

The “blood in your knickers” line didn’t especially bother me, although the teen section as a whole was pretty reductive- periods, make up and bras. Not surprised they fell out if that’s all the parent saw in the child.

Why not say 'first period'?

The first blood in a child's knickers may not be from a period. The NSPCC of all organisations should know that.

NSPCC has had red flags for years. They have swallowed gender identity ideology whole and are all about the trans kids while ignoring the Cass review etc.

The grown ups are definitely not in charge there. Stay well away.

It seems to be very girl centric (and rather reductive at that) and not quite sure what the aim is.

From that point of view , I'd say it's a fail as a "parenting" ad.

It did make me feel quite emotional, but that's irrelevant really.

I'm looking with interest at my own reactions to it:

It's a poem about parenting a daughter, not a son.

The fact that it's BY a man (if I'm reading the name right) felt slightly odd - I think it's unlikely a father would get involved with first period stuff unless no mum.

Performed by a woman, it's very moving. Mum prepared me well for my first at 11 because I was already wearing a bra in junior school. I remember I came rushing downstairs going 'mum! I've got my first one!!'

I'm not sure I like the picture. It's very literal and would come as a bit much to many viewers.

But it's caught my attention and I think so many parents of girls will recognise so much.

I think it's crass and not a respectful way to talk about the female experience. Being in a poem doesn't change that.

And surely you would think the nspcc would also consider that this is why girls need single sex spaces but no, they don't support that at all, they actually support unisex and have said so explicitly

It’s fetishized and perverted. Charities and institutions have been captured and infiltrated in broad day light.

If you're thinking about perversion OP perhaps you might question your thought process. It doesn't seem to be widely shared.

It's very moving and beautiful and moved me as I'm at that last stage...but not sure what the point of it is or how it helps parents. I'd love to know what was the thinking (if any) behind it

Alcyoneus · Today 09:22

It’s fetishized and perverted. Charities and institutions have been captured and infiltrated in broad day light.

That is just ridiculous. What on earth are you on about?

I think those sayits perverted are really reaching and says more about them tbh.

I can't believe people have a problem with this advert.

Anyone who thinks that periods should be hidden are the reason they are a taboo subject. 4 billion people have periods, it's hardly a fucking rarity not to be discussed.

Absolute idiots.

Yes this really. A poem about mothering a daughter, not parenting.
And it does appear to be written by a man
Perhaps there will be a follow on add about being a father to sons. Written by a woman?

Also the term " first blood" has an uncomfortable hunting association for me, but perhaps that's just my rural background!

She has a daughter. It’s about her daughter. Girls get periods.

Agreed. Let’s normalised periods please.

I haven't heard the poem before, so thought it was random statements and so things can be ticking along as usual, usual development then , something dreadful can happen to anyone causing blood. It is very clumsy

No problem with people normalising periods.
But this poem does appear to have been written by a man, describing an exclusively female experience. Many exclusively female experiences actually, the cabbage in the bra etc.

It's unclear what the ad was trying to convey imo.

A link would have steered people in the right way! I read that poem to represent a child's right of passage. The first blood meant the period, the clown face, represented the awful make up teens put on etc. I enjoyed the poem, it's very clever.

'First semen in boys pants' along with a cartoon drawing.

I agree with a pp, that it is the picture that makes it worse.

-TW-

But it is the language as well, those that are saying it is just a poem, should then realise that 'art' is meant to be read in different ways, that poets choose words and images carefully.

How do we know the the discussion is about periods, when the words are vague.
The term 'first blood' has a double meaning, 'First blood' is more commonly used to mean the first killing or wounding in a fight or war. the first damage

So what are we meant to take away from 'first damage?'

Yep agree OP it’s ill judged and as pp have pointed out, the male equivalent wouldn’t work at all and exposes quite how weird it is. Not for me and would never make me donate.