See a Modess True or False? ad in The American
Girl magazine, January 1947, and actress Carol Lynley
in "How Shall I Tell My Daughter" booklet ad (1955) - Modess . . . . because ads (many dates).
 
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Museum of Menstruation and Women's Health
Kotex menstrual napkins and Dutchmen in an ad series
(2000, the Netherlands)
The Dutch might be the more liberal people in the world! Dutch ads for
menstrual products have featured men as far back as 1978
and don't shy away from the nuts and bolts of menstruation (here).
The kind Dutchman who has sent so many items to MUM sent these scans
and information.
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The title of this ad translates as "Boys
& Menstrual pads." "Boy"
seems common in European advertising; see this German
ad for panty pads, which actually contradicts the ad below. (The Dutch
word for boy is actually jongen.) And see an ad from a German magazine called
Girl!
From Fancy magazine, for teens, November 2000.
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I translate the yellow box (enlargement at bottom) as:
[Title above the box: What do boys have to do
with menstrual pads?]
Boys [the real Dutch word is jongen] also use
menstrual pads!
Really true! Nooo, they don't have a period [see ongesteld
- period - in a Dutch cartoon strip]. Boys use
them in their ski boots or skates against the blade. Or on their shoulders
when carrying a heavy rucksack. Really!
Do boys know what a period is?
94% know how often girls have their period.
The average duration is a little overestimated. 20% think that it lasts
7-8 days or longer. You can use that to your advantage.
65% know what roughly happens. In any case it's about making a little egg.
Boys who just don't understand.
3% think that a half liter of blood is lost! That's an egg cup [for boiled
eggs].
13% think the menstrual pad is thicker than 2 cm [almost an inch]! You
don't want to even think about that. . . . Kotex Ultradun is for instance
only 3 mm thick [about 1/8"].
30% think you can buy menstrual pads in the colors rose or light blue.
And a number think you can buy red ones. Unbelievable, huh?
Helpful boys
Of course there are boys who know how to spoil you.
38% get menstrual pads for a girlfriend.
50% understand fatigue and irritation. You're in luck!
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NEXT ad in the series (FIRST
ad in this series)
Copyright 2007 Harry Finley
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