So I just saw a new commercial from Durex (makers of condoms) and I have to say, they are pretty hard on Dads.
Before I go on, here is the spot for you to judge.
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What do you think?
If I watch it simply for entertainment, it is funny. The classic ball to the groin formula always works.
But if I look it as a Dad, it is not as funny.
The ad shows a few situations where a Dad is tormented in some way by a kid and I guess the point is, if you used a condom, you would not have to worry about the kids bugging you.
Really? Kids are such a bad thing? They ruin your computer time, your grilling and your precious driveway? This is absurd.
Everyone of those situations looked like the result of bad parenting, not “doing it” without a Durex condom.
Playing water guns and grilling on a nice day? Looks great to me.
Want to have some computer time and a coffee? Teach your kids some restraint maybe.
Want to chill out on the couch with your headphones on? Maybe you should have taught your kid about hurting people.
Anyways, being a Dad is the best thing a guy can do. Portraying the life of a Dad as a time to hate your life and wish you had used a condom instead is pretty weak if you ask me.
Would love to hear your thoughts.
I guess if they (Durex) are trying to capture what is likely their biggest demographic, then appealing to the most common d-bags they could depict is probably a win for this ad campaign. If your target audience is the post-adolescent to late 20-something, single guy market, then I see this as a relatively funny ad. I can easily see guys I know laughing at this and making references to it in their painted-on, popped collar polos accenting their tribal arm band tat while they tilt their hats ever so slightly to that perfect “dbag” angle. I could see that. Or any of my Marine friends, even the ones with kids already…they’d love this shit!
For me, I see the lightheartedness. Becoming a father does ruin certain aspect of your life. But as you allude to in your article, learning to become a parent and managing your children can help you not be the guy getting hit in the scrotum by a water gun while his small collective of unwanted children run amok with an unruly carelessness and complete lack of parental guidance. I totally agree that these situations represent poor parenting and not a lack of “wrapping it up.”
Insightful post.
Thanks Creed. I 100% find the ad entertaining. I just feel sometimes the brands find it much easier to portray negative sides to the dad life than the mom life.
Brands covet the moms, while they can use the dads as a punching bag. It is changing slowly.
“Being a dad is the best thing a man can do”…. Really? Better than dying for one’s country? Or being a loving husband? how about doctors who help and heal hundreds throughout their lives? Unchilded priests, they’ll never be the “best?” But knocking someone up, THAT’s the real achievement. Yeah. Even if it was an oopsie? Even if they didn’t mean it? What if they suck as a dad? What if they beat their kids or molest them? Still the best thing a man can do?
As to demographics, I’m supposing the ad is targeting dads of small children who never get any at home… Hoping they’ll carry a Durex in their wallet when they’re ready for some strange, or take that long anticipated business trip (they can FINALLY sleep in the hotel!) or to prep for the day after Father’s Day, when more men sign up on cheating websites than any other day!
I disagree. For one, “being a Dad is the best thing a guy can do” is simply false. If it’s the best thing you feel like YOU can do, then fine, no problem. But there are better things that can be done: curing disease, causing positive social change, etc, you see where I’m going.
Second, I really don’t think they’re being hard on dads, they’re showing the life of people who accidentally knocked someone up before they intended to and are clearly not happy about it.
I like the commercial, and I think it’s pretty spot on.
I think you’re ignoring the fact that a LOT of guys wind up unhappy fathers, because the fact is that they have no control over what happens if the contraception fails, and they have few contraceptive options available.
Sorry if this commercial isn’t stroking your ego about what your chosen life path is, but I know plenty of great guys who would agree with this, and parenthood is just one of a million life paths. It is by no means “the best thing” someone could do. For many people, it’s the worst thing.
Thanks for commenting on both sides of the story. Yes, this is a blog about being a dad, so yes, I think it is the best thing a man can do. But I am glad some of you offered the negative side. I have no experience with, so I guess I am lucky.
It should be noted that this is NOT an official Durex commercial. It’s not by Durex and they “do not condone or support its message.”
Thanks for looking into that Zach. Durex, I don’t frown at you anymore.