More proof that complaining works or, as I prefer to say, the squeaky wheel gets the grease (you haven’t forgotten the Obama sock monkey and the sex target yet, have you?). The commercial below was set to run in the U.K. for five weeks, but has been pulled due to complaints that a guy-on-guy smooch forces parents to talk to their children.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sgNg_2eM38[/youtube]
Remember Ellen, though? And look what happened to her!
Via AdFreak.
Lisa Wade, PhD is an Associate Professor at Tulane University. She is the author of American Hookup, a book about college sexual culture; a textbook about gender; and a forthcoming introductory text: Terrible Magnificent Sociology. You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
Comments 5
Breck — June 24, 2008
If there's one thing we've learned about Puritanism, it's that it's universally about parents avoiding talking to their children.
Ah, family values.
pharmacopaeia — June 24, 2008
A funny ad, what a pity - especially given that the ad wasn't even technically representing same-sex couplings! It would be interesting to see which countries the ad would be deemed 'okay' in and why...
Le — June 24, 2008
Wow I thought other industrialized countries would be more gay friendly. And yeah that is quite stupid: the ad was pulled because parents are afraid to talk to their kids? What's there to talk about?
"The two men kissing in that commercial weren't a married couple. It was just for comedy and symbolism. But in real life, yes some people like others of the same sex instead of the opposite sex like your mommy and daddy. Okay now go to bed! I don't wanna have to discuss this again until you reach puberty!"
Nadav Perez — June 24, 2008
a. I think it's a terrible ad, when considering gender relations. what does it tell you? that even you're mom (who is, off course, in charge of sandwiches and does not go to work), can become as good as a delly pro (which is a working preson, and therefore, off course, male) - but only if she buys the correct mayo. hmmm, great.
b. I never understood why one has to mention sex when explaining gay partnership. it's all about love, and love's a great thing to talk to your children about.
Loony toons — June 25, 2008
Personally I think the ad's kind of cute, even if it falls into stereotype land in a few pieces as Nadav pointed out. I personally had to smile at it and shake my head in amusement more than anything else.
I don't see why parents were flipping out, kids probably don't even care. If they did, you know ACTUALLY talk to them. Don't ban something to cover your sorry ass.