An article by Nina M. Lentini for The New York Times discussed the new doors being opened by advertising agencies. The article, which can be found at Personal, said the media has taken a step forward in developing an "anything goes" attitude toward commercial and print ads for personal products, subjects whose function is usually only whispered about in private. These products include feminine hygiene products beyond menstrual protection, condoms, grooming aids, along with pregnancy and conception products. Society has become more comfortable in recent years in discussing these topics that are a part of everyday life. Still, jaws are dropping and people are talking about the controversial new ads. Follow up reports show sales are rising. The most recent ad is for a digital home pregnancy test, Clearblue Easy. The commercial broke a public urination taboo. The New York company poured liquid, urine streams, onto something that at first sight looks "futuristic". The slogan is "The most sophisticated piece of technology...you will ever pee on". The commercials focus on reality as controversial and disturbing as it is. The campaign uses humor to limit embarrassment. It goes to show that society is no longer soft and safe. Serious situations are taken lighter. As far as the mens' products, Philips Bodygroomer shaver for the younger than 40 who want to get rid of body hair is the latest ad shocker. Even the chief executive at Philips was shocked when he first saw the ad. Though he is liberal, he worried about the reaction. In the commercial ad a man in his mid 20's in a white bathrobe describes the body hair shaving process using pictures of fruits and vegetables. He uses slang terms for the body parts which are bleeped out. The spot only appears online.
If sex education is now taught in middle school I think society can handle personal hygiene ads that aren't sexually explicit. These products are in stores everywhere for public display, so advertising them is only gaining them exposure for people who don't know about them and offering solutions to personal problems people naturally have. It is helpful information that should be advertised. Kids don't understand the products' purposes anyway.
-Amy
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I think you're right that it's a positive thing that so many of these personal issues aren't so taboo anymore. For so long people have just pretended like they don't exist and haven't had anyone to talk about them with. However, when I first saw the commercial for the pregnancy test when it says the most advanced piece of technology you will ever pee on, I was a little shocked. I thought it was funny but also a little vulgar. I'm wondering if others felt the same way because I saw it again later and they had changed the commercial. Instead of saying "pee on" they said "ya know...on," which obviously implies pee but doesn't just say it outright.
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