#2: Biggest Lie EVER

 

 

Tampax Radiant Tampon Ad

 



This is probably one of the biggest lie society tells to men and women: periods are happy and sun-shiny and full of joy. LIE! Periods are the complete opposite, and I think I can testify considering I've experience them. I really do not like this ad because it is full of lies and assumptions that many people take to be true, such as this new tampon will cure the painful, monthly task of periods.

Tampax Radiant is a "new and improved" tampon. There is always some new tampon that is supposed to give the female population a false comfort that they will be "better protected". Really, it just comes in colorful pacakges and is more expensive. The statement underneath the picture is also completely false! "You stand out. Your period doesn't." NO girl wants to stand out when she's on her period. All we want to do is crawl back in bed and pretend like our insides aren't falling out! Which is pretty much how a period feels.

And the smiling girl? No, we don't smile when we discover our monthly visitor; we want to punch something. "Why do I have to be a girl" is probably the only thought going through a girl's mind when it is that-time-of-the-month. And the "raindrops"? No, periods are not like colorful raindrops, all light and cute. Remember that hurricane recently on the east coast? Yeah, think of that on a smaller scale comming out of a woman's body. NOT FUN! There are no smiles or colors during those 7-10 days of pure hell that almost every woman on the planet experiences.

This ad, I feel, also gives the men of the world the idea that periods aren't a big deal, and women should just get over it and deal with it. This ad gives the idea that periods are fun and easy to deal with if you just buy this tampon. The reality is, no, no tampon will make periods any easier or more fun. Ever.

This article deals with the cultural issue of the menstrual cycle. This use of media affects me eemotionally because periods really aren't something to laugh about. Hormones are very serious and I feel like girls are very vulnerable during that time and that fact should be respeted, not joked about. Many girls are embarrased about their periods, especially if they don't have a mother figure in their life to help them through it. Then, to add the stress of going through school and having to try and concentrate while your head is pounding and your self concious about if anyone can tell. Girls have a lot to deal with during that one week every month, and I feel as if this ad, and most other tampon ads, downplay the reality of the menstrual cycle.

This ad uses the technique of "Avante Garde" because the packaging has the word "New!" on it, making it seem like it's better than the previous tampons, when really it's the exact same thing. I think it also uses "Simple Solutions" because it makes the buyer think, "if I just bought this new tampon, my period would be easier". Sorry to say this, but no tampon can make periods easier.