[Guest Author : Saakshi O. Juneja]
“If you are above the age of 18, a male and seeking a job that combines work with pleasure, here is an unusual opening that promises a combination of both. The post of a condom tester is up for grabs as Durex, one of the world’s largest condom manufacturer has announced plans to recruit Indian males above the age of 18 to test their products. [Link]
Interesting. Encouraging. But sexist, without doubt.
My annoyance with the above ‘modern’ initiative is with the fact that women have been so easily excluded from Durex’s consumer involvement programme. This to me is nothing but just another example of what our society perceives is a woman’s worth in matters related to S-E-X: The man is in charge of the sexual act, the woman is merely the means to reach an orgasm.
They are manufacturing male condoms, so I understand their primary targets are men. So Gay couples are covered, but what about heterosexual ones? Agreed, it is the man who wears it but then again it is the woman who takes that rubber film within her. And so by all means, she has an equal right to choose and evaluate the kind of rubber film she wants entering her (extremely) personal space. I mean come on, so many outside objects coming your way, one definitely deserves some privileges.
Therefore ideally speaking Durex’s highly enterprising offer should have been open for both the sexes.
But let’s take reality into account. I’m referring to the stuck-up mentality of the society we live in. I, for one, can totally understand the hesitation on the manufacturer’s side; in a country where a woman gets snubbed for even saying the word “sex” out loud, it’s literally a death wish for a company to promote ideas that encourage women in sexual matters.
And unfortunately for the time being, playing into such societal prejudices seems to be the only way to move forward. Hopefully tomorrow will bring forth an unbiased perspective.
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In 2007, a two-year study by Indian Council of Medical Research had concluded that condoms made according to international sizes are too large for a majority of Indian men. This led to a call for condoms of varying sizes to be made more widely available in India.
Saakshi, this is not just about pleasure.. this is about an object that men will be wearing on their body part. They’d know best about what size fits them yes? They are not testing them for variety in colors or types. They are testing them for size and comfort. That is why they don’t need women testers. I don’t see any sexism here.
@ Val – Size & comfort were namely just two aspects of the condom company’s initiative. The * pleasure * aspect is also important and considering the sexual act takes two to tango according to me women too do play an important role.
On the other hand, one does wonder whether such a scheme take off had it been female condoms. Definitely not, sexism definitely yes!
@val : True size is a important factor lest it slips off………
But sakshi does have a point…….the smoothness/ roughness on the surface is a major factor for the women too..