Essential Estrogen

Fox, according to an article in today's New York Times, upon refusing to air a new Trojan condom ad wrote a letter to the company stating it rejected the spot because, "Contraceptive advertising must stress health-related uses rather than the prevention of pregnancy.'

Both the Fox and CBS networks have refused the new ads which feature pigs that turn into handsome men after purchase of a condom. At the end: "Evolve. Use a condom every time." Both networks had played the company's previous campaign, which urged condom use because of the possibility of HIV/AIDS.

While not stating an aversion to the ad on moral grounds, CBS wrote, "while we understand and appreciate the humor of this creative, we do not find it appropriate for our network even with late-night-only restrictions."

So... let me get this straight (no pun intended)...

This commercial for a hamburger is okay:

But a commercial about pigs evolving into men (Wasn't there something about that in Pres. George W. Bush's State of the Union address?) is not okay?

Why don't we just give commercials ratings just like we do for other television programming? That way parents who want to shield children from certain content can do so. That way any advertiser who wants to purchase time on any network can do so. That way we won't be spending so much money on a mostly failed government agency. That way I don't have to worry about some elderly white men in a board room deciding for me what I should and shouldn't see.

As a side note, Planned Parenthood isn't overly happy about this turn of events. Their call to action email makes some very good points:

In 2005, 70 percent of all television shows and 77 percent of prime-time shows contained sexual content. FOX and CBS shows are no exception. From Temptation Island to Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show to The O.C. — a show that broadcasts an average of 6.7 sex scenes an hour — FOX and CBS have taken sex all the way to the bank.

Vanessa at Feministing dives feet first into this aspect and does such a good job that I'm not going to attempt a repeat of it here.

If you want to add your voice to those who disagree with the stance Fox and CBS have taken, Planned Parenthood has an online form.