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Period ads are some of the most ridiculous things ever. You know the kind: school girls dancing, women laughing for no reason, or something so over the top you just know that ad was conceptualised by a man.
And while not all period ads are terrible (the Always #LikeAGirl campaign is pretty cool), I know there are times when I wish they were more realistic. And it turns out that I’m not the only one.
READ MORE: It’s time to stop treating girls like they’re inferior to boys
Twitter user @Phroetiq tweeted this thread recently, highlighting the need for a little more reality in the world of female advertising.
I want one where the person sneezes while on their period. And then cries and/or screams because you know what just happened.
— Loved (@Phroetiq) October 20, 2016
Or someone lying in the fetal position wrapped around a hot water bottle, rocking back and forth wondering if death is near.
— Loved (@Phroetiq) October 20, 2016
Show me someone crying for no reason. Crying for all the lost children of Africa. With sore boobs for that matter.
— Loved (@Phroetiq) October 20, 2016
Show me an ad where a teenager becomes a pro at washing blood out. #RealPeriodAds
— Loved (@Phroetiq) October 20, 2016
I want an ad where someone is incredibly frustrated because their period is NEVER on schedule. #RealPeriodAds
— Loved (@Phroetiq) October 20, 2016
I want an ad where someone hates their period one month and prays for it the next because they might be pregnant. #RealPeriodAds
— Loved (@Phroetiq) October 20, 2016
And the response has been awesome.
Some of them made us laugh out loud, while others highlighted the important truths about our menses and how different they are for each woman.
!!!!!! #RealPeriodAds https://t.co/jDxJeTj5Vx
— Loved (@Phroetiq) October 20, 2016
One where the girl is screaming in pain with a hot water bottle and puking at the same time. #Realperiodads https://t.co/shHhbMvd49
— MwanaWevhuAsiAneta (@HazelChigs) October 20, 2016
I just want one where the red blood is not depicted as blue https://t.co/IAzrF0kvBd
— Jacqui The Poet (@JacquiThePoet) October 20, 2016
Eating a whole roasted chicken, a last number box of smarties and a McDonald's share box all by yourself. https://t.co/fFEag7jl3S
— Akeem (@Nobantu_M) October 20, 2016
Or my favourite: a person frantically trying to get to a toilet because the super super super plus plus tampon lasted 45 minutes https://t.co/5jMWSlIKrL
— Stephanie (@TCKPonders) October 20, 2016
When you stand up and suddenly a flood gate of blood is unleashed #Realperiodad https://t.co/YWY9liblcT
— W.O.L.F (@Daisey06) October 20, 2016
#RealPeriodAds An Ad where some girls have to miss school because they cannot afford sanitary towels ???? #PadsDriveZW https://t.co/ndRHccv2hb
— #PadsDriveZW (@PadsDriveZW) October 20, 2016
#RealPeriodAds you know, an ad that doesn't pretend only cis women menstruate... Representation.
— The Trans Collective (@Wandile_Dlamini) October 20, 2016
#RealPeriodAds An ad showing the stigma against periods. Telling people who menstruate that they are dirty, untouchable.
— Loved (@Phroetiq) October 20, 2016
A sneeze! The dreaded sneeze that makes you life flash before your eyes. #RealPeriodAds
— Diyana Chunga (@DD_eeyanac) October 20, 2016
A woman sitting at her desk, face contorted in pain while she tries to concentrate on a spreadsheet instead of the blood leaving her body https://t.co/fiTVFyoWCL
— shambles cat (@BooksBakesBio) October 20, 2016
@phroetiq an ad where a girl is in the feminine products aisle and cursing under her breath cos they are so expensive
— Apollonia (@PhaksiM) October 20, 2016
Girl gets her period for the first time, only has a father and brothers and who can she ask to get her pads for her ?????? https://t.co/fiTVFyoWCL
— shambles cat (@BooksBakesBio) October 20, 2016
Where the "blood" isn't blue and that thing girls do when they ask their friend to check the back of their skirt because periods are petty https://t.co/eP4V2C4nFp
— HufflepuffMagic?? ?? (@Carmzjw) October 20, 2016
Do you want to see more realistic ads on TV? Then follow the thread here, or tweet or email W24 and tell us your thoughts.
