Came across this article in the NY Times last week on how Pampers and other sorts of baby-focused companies are figuring out that:
- Children have two parents
- On average, one of those parents is a guy
- Having all their advertising come off as 'mom-centric' is a wee bit patronizing.
Big props to RebelDad for getting things off the ground. I was amused - if mildly annoyed - after reading the article but glad someone was making a fuss on account of us 'nouveau' dads.
Then, I got this.
I know it's a little blurry, so let me be clear about what it says. It is an email to me, a dude with a 9 month old, about how I am pregnant with a 25 week old so I better use sunscreen. Argh.
Similac does something painfully similar with their Strong Moms promotion. I note that there are, apparently, no Strong Dads - except for California based Hispanic fathers - apparently. I will be less irked at Similac since they gave me great customer service, but still.
Come one, people. It's 2010. It's not a new millenium - we're fully just in a millenium. Get with the program. Dads shop. Dads make formula. Dads change diapers. As much as I wish it was 1962 so I could have a bar in my office (oooooohh...I want one...), that's just not going to happen. So get with the program.
And, finally, gratuitous baby video of dad - contrary to the dogma of marketing departments in large corporations that sell baby products - participating in his child's life. Enjoy.
Then, I got this.
I know it's a little blurry, so let me be clear about what it says. It is an email to me, a dude with a 9 month old, about how I am pregnant with a 25 week old so I better use sunscreen. Argh.
Similac does something painfully similar with their Strong Moms promotion. I note that there are, apparently, no Strong Dads - except for California based Hispanic fathers - apparently. I will be less irked at Similac since they gave me great customer service, but still.
Come one, people. It's 2010. It's not a new millenium - we're fully just in a millenium. Get with the program. Dads shop. Dads make formula. Dads change diapers. As much as I wish it was 1962 so I could have a bar in my office (oooooohh...I want one...), that's just not going to happen. So get with the program.
And, finally, gratuitous baby video of dad - contrary to the dogma of marketing departments in large corporations that sell baby products - participating in his child's life. Enjoy.
Posts
Congratulations on your 25th week of pregnancy!
ReplyDeleteI've always felt like a second class parent, simply because of my cells' DNA replication inside my mother's womb. The feelings peaked at the times of the births of our kids, (now almost 9 & 7), but they were aroused from the point of confirmation of the pregnancies right through to now, and I doubt they'll ever go away.
ReplyDeleteAs an aside, I also get the same feelings of claw-bearing exclusion when I see the phrase "mommyblogger", (though I must admit, I also wonder why the women it refers to don't find that particular label patronizing).
I hear ya fellow dad. I change the diapers and gag everytime, but like Dangerfield, I get no respect!
ReplyDeleteI get what you're saying but I don't know if I can 100% back you up...maybe only 70%. You get the other 30% when you make it to a point where you are huge and vomiting for 9 months and then have to pop a baby out of your genitals. In fact, if you do that, I will be behind you 110%!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, your son clearly has not developed the excellent taste in food that you and #1 Wife have; sand's not so good - but #1 Son is so ridiculously cute while eating it!
martinidad, I’m a dude too! My name is Patrick, and I’m a former SAHD who now works for Pampers. Not to knock my team, but what’s hilarious about that email, is the salutation says “Hello MartiniDad.” It’s a head-scratcher, I’ll give you that. As some have pointed out in the comment sections of other daddy bloggers, the majority of diaper purchases are made by women, that’s no marketing secret. That being said, there are a lot dads (and grand dads) up and down the hall here at Pampers. We hear you (and Rebel Dad, BloggerFather, Dada Rocks and all the other dads). Some hinky things like that email are going to happen, it’s the nature of any large system be it a company, government, The Brady Bunch---but consider me your advocate on the Pampers team. Take care, and remember, you’re apparently eating for two
ReplyDelete:-). BTW sometimes I too wish it were 1962, because if it where the Browns would win a championship in two years!