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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Apparently the word 'vagina' is incredibly offensive and should be kept off TV - even in an ad for sanitary towels...

64 replies

edam · 16/07/2012 13:26

Ridiculous fuss but weirdly Facebook wouldn't let me link to the story - are they anti-vagina too?

OP posts:
OatyBeatie · 16/07/2012 13:32

Sheesh. Perhaps she should have called it her Feminine Hygiene Portal, to match the branding in the supermarket aisles.

It is frightening, actually, when considered in conjunction with that US Congresswoman being disciplined for using the word vagina -- in the context of a debate in which mostly-male legislators were trying to legislate in relation to women's bodies.

littleducks · 16/07/2012 13:33

I really don't like the advert, why does she have to be naked? Does the pantyliner demo really need the backdrop of her flat tummy Hmm? Hope it doesnt come over here

TodaysAGoodDay · 16/07/2012 13:34

They really should adopt Bupcake's word - vagine. Fabulous word Grin

TeiTetua · 16/07/2012 13:37

That wasn't a US Congresswoman. The incident occurred in the state legislature in Michigan.

www.cnn.com/2012/06/21/opinion/brown-kicked-out-for-saying-vagina/index.html

SardineQueen · 16/07/2012 13:39

Yes ridiculous fuss

but have you seen what the ad says?

"She says: ?Even that bit of discharge in between our periods is our body working to keep the vagina healthy and that damp, less than fresh feeling, is why Carefree has designed these Acti-Fresh liners, with an absorbent core to lock away wetness and odour, helping you feel clean, fresh and dry every day.?"

Personally I am happy enough not to have the word vagina on an ad if the context is "dirty stinky vaginal discharge how gross spend money to STOP IT you minger".

maybenow · 16/07/2012 13:39

i actually hate the term 'vaginal discharge'.. the word discharge is used for pus in infected wounds, conjunctivitis, and sewege.

it sounds like something that is unnatural or unhealthy...

edam · 16/07/2012 13:41

'Feminine Hygiene Portal' is about their level, indeed.

Wow to the Michigan story - well done Lisa Brown for taking the row public. Disciplined for using the word 'vagina' in a debate about healthcare, fgs!

OP posts:
SardineQueen · 16/07/2012 13:42

YY discharge is grim

How about "lovely secretions" or "healthy wetness". Oh yes but then nobody would need to buy anything to stop the appalling smell and revolting dampness.

Humph.

bet there's loads of lovely pheromones in it too.

maresedotes · 16/07/2012 13:42

I agree, it's ridiculous. Sadly though most women refer to their vaginas with pet names, ie foo-foo, la-di-da (may have made that one up). We need to use the word!

OatyBeatie · 16/07/2012 13:45

yy sardine queen that is awful isn't it. Advertisers praise our natural bodily functions in the course of telling us to cosmeticize them the fuck to oblivion. All part of the current trend to make "empowerment" and "self-esteem" the way to flog product-dependency and self-loathing.

Sidge · 16/07/2012 13:46

It's like how they're never allowed to use the colour red in a tampon or pad commercial isn't it?

God forbid anyone finds out that women have vaginas. Heck imagine the civil unrest Hmm

(I like the 100 controversial adverts at the bottom, some are good and some are just outrageous!)

MooncupGoddess · 16/07/2012 13:47

Quite, Sardine. Anyway, surely if your vaginal, er, fluid smells then there's something wrong and you should see a doctor?

I find pantyliners quite nasty; cotton knickers should be adequate for the odd bit of moistness. Possibly going commando (the norm until the 20th century, let's remember) was the most hygienic of all - lots of nice fresh air to ventilate your bits and dry up any secretions.

yellowraincoat · 16/07/2012 13:48

"locks away odo(u)r" wtf

If there is an odour, go to the doctor ffs.

Jesus.

sunshineandfreedom · 16/07/2012 13:52

I agree that I'm less bothered by the (extremely irritating) fuss over the word vagina than I am about this incessant and bloody fucking stupid obsession with portraying natural bodily functions as somehow disgusting. It makes me so angry that so many women in my age group seem to think this way these days, along with being 'au naturel' 'down there' being unhygenic Hmm

I honestly despair.

SardineQueen · 16/07/2012 13:53

Except when you're pregnant, mooncup.
Well for me anyway.
Industrial strength sanitary pads were required Shock
Maybe that was just me Grin

MooncupGoddess · 16/07/2012 13:55

Hello sunshine - are you sunshineandbooks of yesteryear? If so welcome back, it is lovely to see you again!

(If you've been here all along under a namechange then forgive me... I am useless at these things.)

MooncupGoddess · 16/07/2012 14:00

Hello Sardine! And thank you for that valuable titbit. Have you considered inventing a special product to deal with the issue? You could make a fortune! We could help you write the no-holds-barred advertising copy.

sunshineandfreedom · 16/07/2012 14:19

MooncupGoddess Hi! No, I'm not, I'm shiny new Grin

Have been lurking for a while and decided to start posting. So yeah, hi!

MooncupGoddess · 16/07/2012 14:27

You're very welcome, sunshineandfreedom! Your grasp of crossing-out, the sceptical face and no-holds-barred language leads me to suspect you'll fit right in Grin

KRITIQ · 16/07/2012 14:27

In America there is a HUGE market in feminine "deodorants" and douches because the marketers have been so successful in convincing women that they "need" these (despite the fact there is evidence that they can contribute to a higher rate of vaginal infection because they alter the natural flora.) At least it hasn't got that bad here (and let's hope it doesn't.)

I think it's changed now, but I remember when you couldn't show a woman actually wearing a bra in a bra advert. They could show one on a mannequin or a woman could wear one over a poloneck, which frankly, looked really stupid. That was in America, so not sure if it was the case here and I think that has at least changed.

I seem to recall there was also a prohibition in showing armpits in deodorant commercials.

Having said that, I remember thinking the adverts for sanitary towels and tampons in the UK were so coy - cartoons of women cycling through a country lane with pretty music, that sort of thing. The adverts in America were more graphic - a tampon in a test tube turned upside down to show how absorbent it was, for example. But yes, the liquid was always blue and never red, like it was only for posh women! :)

KRITIQ · 16/07/2012 14:28

Oh and welcome s & f and all the other folks posting!

yellowraincoat · 16/07/2012 14:31

There is a market for vaginal deodorants and stuff here, but I wouldn't call it huge. Never seen anyone actually buy it.

And that Femfresh advert ("HEART YOUR FANJO/FOOFOO/LADYGARDEN") was roundly laughed it, even from quarters who don't identify as feminist.

So maybe there's not so much of a culture of the evil stinking vulva here.

coffeeinbed · 16/07/2012 14:35

I spent what seemed like hours last weekend trying to find and buy unscented sanitary towels.
FFS.

Sighingagain · 16/07/2012 14:35

Is vagina a bad word now then?? Perhaps that explains DDs aversion to it - no amount of persuading will convince Her she doesn't have 2 bottoms or on occasion a bottom and a willy!

Floggingmolly · 16/07/2012 14:39

There is nothing wrong with the word vagina. But I really don't want to listen to anyone telling me what vaginal discharge is ok and which is likely to be so offensive that I must buy and use their products to render myself acceptable in polite company.
I find that offensive.

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