Huggies diapers newest add has caused major controversies with stay at home dads. The commercial puts the diapers to the test, to prove that Huggies diapers and wipes can handle anything: Dads. This single commercial has made thousands of stay at home dads angry. One ad featured men ignoring their kids’ full diapers to watch sports. The dads think the ad depicts fathers caring for infants are clueless and lazy. In response, they started petitions and Facebook groups arguing that the ad is offensive to stay at home dads. Huggies claimed that this commercial was not attended to offend dads but to celebrate fatherhood. With the support of thousands of stay at home dads over the country, the dads and Huggies “hugged it out” and redid the ad.
The new commercial has the same theme but not offending the fathers. The new test is can the diapers hold up during after a feeding, a nap and alone with dad without any leaks. Unfortunately I could not find the original ad online but I did find the new ad.
Stay at home dads are becoming more popular in today’s generation, there are even shows about it like Up All Night. There are many ads that can be considered offensive to women. For example, a beer commercial that shows a male fantasy of two women fighting over the type of beer, while ripping each other clothes off in a fountain then falling in mud. Women are not fighting to get this commercial banned like the fathers did for the Huggies ad. Do you think the fathers over reacted to the commercial?
I would have to see the original Huggies ad to give an opinion on whether the dads are over reacting or not. Based on your description of the ad I would say they weren't over reacting. When it comes to humor in American culture (especially humor used in commercials that air on network television) It's all about the product and audience watching when it airs. I feel that in our culture we're more accepting of ad depicting the daydream of two bar attendees that reveals the stereotypical "girls fighting half naked in a fountain" fantasy as long as it's a commercial for a beer company. It's a little twisted, but it seems to be the trend. Now companies like Huggies that supply diapers for babies wouldn't be able to get away with an ad like that. Especially an ad that goes as far as to insult the parents themselves. One could say that American's feel that it's okay for a company that is selling something that is intended for adults could advertise narratives that are a bit more riskay, but a company that is selling something intended for children should advertise narratives that are more respectful, and use safe lite humor.
ReplyDeleteIf I gather the original commercial as you have told it, I would say that I don't think fathers overreacted. But, it is important for these fighting fathers to keep in mind, that this is something that women have been fighting for a looong time. Constant stereotypes have thrown women under the bus for years. The thing I hate the most is when men talk about how women nag and if this is the starting trend for males, then they better be prepared for the ship of stereotypes to come in. I would hate for them to seem hypocritical. But who's kidding who here? We know that men don't mind sticking up for themselves, but when it comes to women doing the same, we are just a bunch of nagging feminists.
ReplyDeleteDon't get me wrong here. I am all for gender reversal. I love to see a father take responsibility for their children. And it will be likely that my fiance will be doing the samething one day.
ReplyDeleteThis is true in a way because men seem to be pretty lazy and have the least amount of interest when it comes to changing a kids diaper. If huggies chosses to promote their product by disgrading men, then be it, because its a true fact.
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