[DutchgirlRN]

Originally Posted by malenurse1

As I understand it, none of them are allowed to leave the hut until their period is over (glad I am not incharge of ensuring that!). How would tampax giving a dollar per package to these women change this type of cultural discrimination? Do they think hey are going to change centuries of this behavior that is culturally ingrained and assimilated with a few bucks? They better sell an awful lot of those darn t-shirts!

Bleeding huts are no longer used today, not even in the remote areas of Africa. Women were not banished because they were on their period. They were considered to be aligned with the moon during their period it was was considered unlucky for them to do any work and were required to rest completely. Something to do with the moon goddess of Babylon who was thought to be menstruating during full moon.

The reason some girls in Africa today do not go to school during their periods is because they don't have sufficient protection to keep from soiling their clothes, etc...They have no other choice but to stay home. Tampax/Always hopes to provide those girls with sanitary products so that they won't have to miss school during their period.

My mother experienced the same situation in Holland during WWII. There were no disposable sanitary products at that time, not because of the war but because there just weren't any and women had to use rags that they had to wash out daily and let dry. Material was at a premium during the war because it was being used for bandages. My mother could not go out when she was on her period. As a woman I can't imagine living like that.

I commend you, as a guy, for responding to this thread! I don't use Always products, heck I'm menopausal, so I don't use any brand (yeah!) but I would consider buying their product only to help those girls. I think it's "dispicable" that this company can't just give those girls what they need instead of relying on those girls to guilt us into buying their products but who are we hurting if we don't use their product? The girls who need the products. I don't care about the company earning more profits, who cares if the rich get richer?

If I were an executive with Stayfree products I would be coming up with a campaign to give those girls what they need...charitably. I would think that would give a company the edge.

Interesting thread!

[mercyteapot]

Originally Posted by nightfall2099

Has anyone seen the new Tampax commercial where it tells women to "use your period for good"? If you buy Tampax they will provide young girls in Africa with sanitary products and help them go to school.

Where to these marketers come up with these crazy slogans? I thought the Benefiber commercial where it suggests that drinking fiber is sexy was crazy, but this one is a step beyond that.

They could have at least said if you buy Tampax we will donate xxxx amt of money to provide young African girls sanitary products so they can go to school.

Yes, I have seen that and yes, I agree with you. Very odd. Not the cause, which, although legitimate, is probably something none of us has ever fathomed, but the slogan.

[DutchgirlRN]

Can you imagine the look on your daughters face when she unwraps a T-shirt like that? "Have a Happy Period". Gee, what girl wouldn't want to wear it to school? We're these people like high or something when they came up with this concept? Makes you wonder....

BTW...what does Margaret Thatcher have to do with Always/Tampax?

[mercyteapot]

Originally Posted by danissa

All advertising, I guess. Nothing for nothing in this world, although these companies that manufacture these products, which are taxed, are worth mega bucks. Makes you mad that you HAVE to buy their products! and in this home its x3 females!

You know, it has always struck me as unfair that we actually have to pay for these products! Not only do we do with the monumental pain in the...er...well, you know... but it costs money! Month after month.

Doesn't it just figure that in my waning years of dealing with this crap, science has come up with Seasonique (or is it Seasonale? I can never remember).

[mercyteapot]

Originally Posted by psalm

Are the condom companies going to provide free condoms and education to males if we buy their brand of condom? After all, a man can be good for change.

It is my understanding that a number of organizations are working worldwide to distribute condoms and encourage their use, but there are numerous cultural roadblocks associated with that goal. I have no idea whether condom manufacturers actually contribute, though.

However, I don't think condom use is an apt comparison here. Lack of condoms isn't keeping boys or men from going about their lives (ironically, it is women that are most impacted by a lack of condoms, since they bear and raise the resulting children and are just as likely as men to contract the diseases that could've been prevented). Both causes are good, but we're talking apples and orange.

[Natkat]

I think it's a really bad idea. Once the girls get the tampons and pad, where will they dispose of them?

I'm thinking about this because about 20 or so years ago there was brand of disposable diapers who sent diapers to a third world country for every box of diapers you bought. The country in question wound up with huge mounds of used diapers everywhere with no way to dispose of them. They don't have the same sanitation systems we do here; no regular trash pick up. When I heard this commercial I envision mounds of used pads and tampons lying around and......well.......ewwww!

Addendum: As an alternative, I think menstrual cups would be a better idea. Something like The Keeper or Diva.

http://www.divacup.com/

[Natkat]

Originally Posted by psalm

Doesn't this remind you of the "Growing Up and Liking It" and "Very Personally Yours" menstuation booklets of the 1950s-1970s from Modess and Kotex? Brainwashing girls into thinking it was going to be so cool to be grown up? Er, I mean pointing to all the positive sides of being mature, lol.

Enjoyed the letter!

Yes it does!

http://www.mum.org/GULIcov.htm

[mercyteapot]

Oh, good Lord, there's something I could've gone forever without remembering! I do recall those booklets! "Liking it" my fat Aunt Fanny. Thirty years of my life consumed with this miserable blessed event. Egads.

[DutchgirlRN]

Originally Posted by Natkat

I think it's a really bad idea. Once the girls get the tampons and pad, where will they dispose of them?

I'm thinking about this because about 20 or so years ago there was brand of disposable diapers who sent diapers to a third world country for every box of diapers you bought. The country in question wound up with huge mounds of used diapers everywhere with no way to dispose of them. They don't have the same sanitation systems we do here; no regular trash pick up. When I heard this commercial I envision mounds of used pads and tampons lying around and......well.......ewwww!

Addendum: As an alternative, I think menstrual cups would be a better idea. Something like The Keeper or Diva.

http://www.divacup.com/

I don't know what their trash options are but I think the divacup is a far worse idea for young school girls. Unsanitary at best in an unsanitary enviroment. Although Tampax/Always has this campaign they are talking about napkins not tampax for these young school girls.

[Natkat]

Originally Posted by mercyteapot

Oh, good Lord, there's something I could've gone forever without remembering! I do recall those booklets! "Liking it" my fat Aunt Fanny. Thirty years of my life consumed with this miserable blessed event. Egads.

I hear you!

Every month that goes by and I still haven't hit menopause, I'm so bummed.

People keep telling me "no, you don't want menopause." I say "Oh yes, honey, yes I definitely want menopause."

I have a friend who tells me the truth. She says "I LOOOOOVE menopause! I'm so much happier now. It's awesome."

*sigh*