Vagina

Updated on September 02, 2011
L.M. asks from Elizabeth City, NC
11 answers

So, it's not one of George Carlin's Seven Dirty Words, but there is a stigma associated to the word Vagina that is both amusing and offensive to me.

What brings this up? Well, I just saw the new Summer's Eve wipes commercial with the "Hail to the V" tagline. Basically, the premise is that wars have been fought over lady parts, the least we can do is keep them fresh.

I find this both amusing and offensive.

Now, I appreciate Eve Ensler's work and the idea of "reclaiming" the word Vagina. (I am also very moved of her discussion of the Hindu Goddess Cunti, but just can't bring myself to reclaim THAT word.) But has this ad campaign taken things on a less-than-productive diversion?

Have you seen it? What are your thoughts?

***** ETA *******
My offense comes from the misuse of the word and the associations made with the female sex organs that are far from liberating, empowering or progressive. The word Vagina does not bother me. How it is used is where I am sometimes bothered.

Perhaps I am not giving them [Ad Execs] credit for using "V" instead of "Vagina". I am so used to "V" being used as the colloquial equivalent of "vagina" it never occurred to me that they are referring to Vulva or the shape resembling a V..... That leaves me only questioning the commercial's social responsibility. Is it a fair marketing tactic to lay so many of the worlds problems between the legs of women? Of course, I've never been a fan of the idea that women get menses and painful childbirth because of Original Sin.

Oh, and there was a documentary on Eve Ensler's Vagina Monologues some years ago. (I think it was on HBO.) One of her "skits" was about taking a mirror and examining her vagina. It looks a bit like a standup routine at first glance. Sometimes it's funny.

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So What Happened?

Apparently, this is not the first "misstep" on the Advertising Road for Summers Eve. There were commercials of talking hands meant to represent the vaginas of different ethnicities that have been pulled. Hard to even find them online, the backlash was apparently that bad. I found an article that delves into the discussion I think quite articulately. It also includes a print ad for the campaign that features a rendering of Helen of Troy and says, "It was more than her face that launched a thousand ships." But the crux of the argument (and a good summation of my issue with the advertisement) is this:

"Also, their "Hail to the V" commercial includes women of color, but the entire concept reduces women (like, you know Cleo-freaking-patra) to their vaginas. The whole co-opting of feminist "empowerment" language doesn't work because the campaign ignores that women (not just men) are into vaginas, that some women do not have vaginas (and that some men do), and the whole "Vaginas are the most powerful force in the UNIVERSE!!!!!" thing falls flat when you have even an inkling of how women's bodies have been--and continue to be--controlled and regulated, whether it's forced sterilization, rape as a military tactic, or limited access to abortion. Or, you know, by being unnecessarily flushed with toxic chemicals for no good reason."

Here is the link to the full article. http://bitchmagazine.org/post/douchebag-decree-4

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J.K.

answers from Cleveland on

I have not seen that commercial yet, but I am definately not scared of that word (I taught several years of health education that included teaching sex education to adolescents, so using proper terminolgy was important w/out looking too embarrassed.)

So you guessed it. My children already know correct terminology of their parts at ages 3 and 4. I still get a kick out of it when my 4 yr old asks me, "I forget, Mommy. You have a ba-gina, right?"

2 moms found this helpful

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D.B.

answers from Charlotte on

.

7 moms found this helpful
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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Men... make those commercials probably.
Men marketers....

4 moms found this helpful

L.U.

answers from Seattle on

I laugh out loud EVERY single time I see a summers eve commercial that has her out in public and then "it happened" and apparently she has bad vaginal odor. REALLY!?!?! It smells SO BAD that the people around you, out in public, can SMELL you?! Who comes up with this stuff?
I, personally, don't have much of a problem with Vagina and kind of like the tagline Hail to the "V". That "V" has produced some mighty fine kids and brings me great pleasure.
L.

3 moms found this helpful
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A.S.

answers from Boca Raton on

That commercial is very awkward when it comes on during a TV show I'm watching with my teenage sons . . . :(

What is it with commercials today? I don't remember that sort of blatant imaging when I was a kid.

2 moms found this helpful
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W.M.

answers from Nashville on

I have not seen it. I don't like the word, don't like to say it but am not offended.....although, like I said, I have not seen the commercial so I may feel differently once I see it. I do however, think the word VaJayJay is cute! ha ha

1 mom found this helpful
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R.F.

answers from Dallas on

My sister is 40, and cannot even say the word vagina. How lame is that?

I liked the responses - talking about a vulva instead of vagina really makes sense. My daughter knows the words, but I still tell her to wipe the pee pee off (probably stems from multiple UTI infections and her literally NOT wiping all the pee pee away). At least it's better than the 1950s advertising where all women were supposed to do were greet their husdbands with a beverage and not talk about 'OUR' day as to not bother them.
Now - what about those Charmin Bear commercials....those are creepy.

A.G.

answers from Boston on

I think that commercial is great! I am not offended at all by it.. once I saw it I was asking everyone "did you see that commercial showing war through out the ages then saying it was for the vajayjay?!?"... thought it was well written and if a kid saw it they would have no idea what it was about. However it does not change my mind about the product, wouldnt use that stuff in a million years, no need for it! LOL..

S.T.

answers from Kansas City on

I am laughing my A$$ off right now!!!!!!!!! both the question and answers are just soooo funny to me!!!!! the word vagina doesnt bother me, there is no reason in the world it should. imo, it is a commercial, it is aimed at women for both ammusement and to make some money....dont let it get to you, there is no reason...still laughing!

E.A.

answers from Erie on

"V" could be for Victory, too ;)

A wise person once said, calling a man a p*ssy to insult him is ridiculous. They are strong, they push out babies, they give life. Men's weakness lies between their own legs. (Not that women are perfect, but come ON, look what we DID get this time around!)

H.G.

answers from Dallas on

Made me proud to have one :)

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