The Student Room Group

Under-25s only: Is the new Gillette ad man-hating or pro-humanity?

This poll is closed

The new Gillette ad. Is it:

Man-hating bullsh*t 45%
Pro-humanity55%
Total votes: 386
We're interested in the opinions of just our younger members.

Do you like Gillette's "We believe: The best men can be" ad campaign?

Piers Morgan called it "man-hating bullsh*t", but Bernice King said it was "pro-humanity." What do you think?

Does it tar all men with the same "toxic male" brush, or does it promote a new, better kind of masculinity?

Feel free to discuss below!
(edited 5 years ago)

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Reply 1
It's trying to be pro-humanity, but it's ended up being man-hating bullsh*t. They've listed some selected problems in the world and blamed solely men (they've not blamed all men, but they've certainly said all those at fault are men).

The 'masculinity' it is promoting isn't new, it's chivalry. Which puts women on the same level as children as vulnerable, helpless objects that need a man to save them. This is certainly better than going around beating up other men, and sexually harassing women, but a ridiculous responsibility to dump on just men, especially in today's age where men and women enjoy equal rights. There's stuff in there about stopping kids bullying and fighting each other, I don't see why that's just the responsibility of men - more children have a present mother than a present father so if we really had to pick an entire gender to blame for this misbehaviour, it's women. But that would be stupid, as is blaming men.

As I said in the other thread, referring to Terry Crews in the video, I am not responsible for the crimes or misdeeds of someone else just because I happen to have a Y chromosome in common with them, any more than Terry Crews is responsible for the crimes of black men who he shares both skin colour and gender with. Raise your own kids properly, that's the bare minimum. Stepping in to help people or prevent harm is commendable, but to put that as a responsibility on only half the population by blaming them due to their gender is sexist.
Original post by candokoala
We're interested in the opinions of just our younger members.

Do you like Gillette's "We believe: The best men can be" ad campaign?

Piers Morgan called it "man-hating bullsh*t", but Bernice King said it was "pro-humanity." What do you think?

Does it tar all men with the same "toxic male" brush, or does it promote a new, better kind of masculinity?

Feel free to discuss below!


I really love it, I think it gives a really positive message to men I don't think it gives men a 'toxic male brush' as it has a good balance between positive and negative behaviours :smile:
Original post by ThomH97
It's trying to be pro-humanity, but it's ended up being man-hating bullsh*t. They've listed some selected problems in the world and blamed solely men (they've not blamed all men, but they've certainly said all those at fault are men).

The 'masculinity' it is promoting isn't new, it's chivalry. Which puts women on the same level as children as vulnerable, helpless objects that need a man to save them. This is certainly better than going around beating up other men, and sexually harassing women, but a ridiculous responsibility to dump on just men, especially in today's age where men and women enjoy equal rights. There's stuff in there about stopping kids bullying and fighting each other, I don't see why that's just the responsibility of men - more children have a present mother than a present father so if we really had to pick an entire gender to blame for this misbehaviour, it's women. But that would be stupid, as is blaming men.

As I said in the other thread, referring to Terry Crews in the video, I am not responsible for the crimes or misdeeds of someone else just because I happen to have a Y chromosome in common with them, any more than Terry Crews is responsible for the crimes of black men who he shares both skin colour and gender with. Raise your own kids properly, that's the bare minimum. Stepping in to help people or prevent harm is commendable, but to put that as a responsibility on only half the population by blaming them due to their gender is sexist.

Really agree with this point <3 Raise your own kids properly, that's the bare minimum. Stepping in to help people or prevent harm is commendable, but to put that as a responsibility on only half the population by blaming them due to their gender is sexist
Original post by candokoala
We're interested in the opinions of just our younger members.

Do you like Gillette's "We believe: The best men can be" ad campaign?

Piers Morgan called it "man-hating bullsh*t", but Bernice King said it was "pro-humanity." What do you think?

Does it tar all men with the same "toxic male" brush, or does it promote a new, better kind of masculinity?

Feel free to discuss below!


duplicate(very similar) thread : https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5760762

better to keep it on that thread - so people can share opinions - most people TSR are under 25? -just my opinion

but the poll is a good idea :smile:
(edited 5 years ago)
I just watched it and my first thought was "wtf is this ********". I dont know who would have thought this would be a good idea (well expect for man hating feminists) but the message I got from that video was "men ( collectively) you should be better" basically saying men are the problem
typical manhating to score cheap political points with childless 30-something feminists

not conduicive to lump men together like this...
(edited 5 years ago)
Reply 7
It only serves to create division and sow more hatred.

Society is polarized enough, but not enough for marxists it seems.

Honestly I can't wait until it all erupts in violence again just so I can have the satisfaction of saying "I told you so".
I think this is about creating connection. I think what's been recognised is that there is so much separation and that collectively we need to stand together to change this. This ad recognises some unpleasant/terrible human behaviour and shines the spotlight on positive role models.

Original post by TommyDH
It only serves to create division and sow more hatred.

Society is polarized enough, but not enough for marxists it seems.

Honestly I can't wait until it all erupts in violence again just so I can have the satisfaction of saying "I told you so".
Just seems like a way to attract attention which it has done and sales will increase. Obviously they don't give a **** about any of the issues raised in the advert and are not attacking men. So, I don't really care, i guess?
erm first of all, why only under-25's? im 26, i cant play too?? is the title a marketing ploy for the majority of tsr to come here (since they are under 25 but wont come here regardless because it's too intellectual of an issue to interest the average teenager...)

and i said my peace. it's not an attack on masculinity nor men. it's an idealistic suggestion that men stop beating up on weaker beings. for whatever reason they did the ad and dear me, how dare they??
(edited 5 years ago)
Original post by candokoala
We're interested in the opinions of just our younger members.

Do you like Gillette's "We believe: The best men can be" ad campaign?

Piers Morgan called it "man-hating bullsh*t", but Bernice King said it was "pro-humanity." What do you think?

Does it tar all men with the same "toxic male" brush, or does it promote a new, better kind of masculinity?

Feel free to discuss below!

Clearly the message itself is pandering to misandrists. If chatting up an attractive girl or allowing young boys to playfight is a manifestation of toxic masculinity, I might as well castrate myself. Watching this made me want to raise a son just so I can commit the cardinal sin of teaching him to not be ashamed of his inherent masculinity and encouraging him to cultivate it.

But let's see this advert for what it is: a cynical attempt to cash-in on leftist PC-zealotism. But as recent PR debacles have taught us, those who go woke go broke.

Btw, who else started laughing uncontrollably when Ana Kasparian popped up?
Original post by CrazyKittenLady
I really love it, I think it gives a really positive message to men I don't think it gives men a 'toxic male brush' as it has a good balance between positive and negative behaviours :smile:


You love this ad? You think its positive to stereotype and generalise based on a genetic characteristic?

Hitler ran similair ads for Jews during the 30s and 40s. This should go a long way in helping you understand why people call you feminazis :smile:. You and the Nazis have a lot in common.

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(edited 5 years ago)
I think most men are profoundly broken and the consequences that has on society are catastrophic. I believe when men get such a hard time it's because we deserve it.

However, I don't think the solution is for men to live out some social-media-powered leftist fantasy, sorry?


Let's talk about a society where a 12 year old is more likely to have an Iphone than a father at home. Let's talk about hardcore pornography that you can mainline anytime of day or night. Let's talk about a knife culture amoungst teenagers because the strongest person in the household is a 13-year-old boy.

Unless you're willing to discuss these real issues, don't talk divisive nonsense about #MeToo or any other ******** social media campaign.
(edited 5 years ago)
Well I don’t think it’s smart of them to create an Ad as such, considering Gillette have no problem with Child Labour I doubt this Ad is aimed at making humanity a better place, however I do like the Ad, very powerful indeed, it sends a message across to fathers and mothers about how they ought to bring their child or children up in an equal manner, without making them think they’re on top of anyone else.

If someone’s offended by this that’s their problem, not the Ads.
(edited 5 years ago)
Original post by TheNamesBond.
it sends a message across to fathers and mothers about how they ought to bring their child or children up in an equal manner, without making them think they’re on top of anyone else.


Love this section really well said :suith:
(edited 5 years ago)
Well personally I couldn't care less as I have more important things to worry about than a ad that lasts less than 2 mins. But if you want my personal opinion, I felt like it was indeed man hating bull****. It just antagonises men so much, portraying them as thugs, abusers, cowards etc...which when you look that the director of this ad was a female, it's suddenly not so surprising.
I get it, there are evil men in the world, but you need to make a razor ad for men. Not add politics into it
There should have been a third option labelled Shenanigans!

Sod your shaving implements.
I'm going to grow a dwarf beard in defiance of these shenanigans.
(edited 5 years ago)
The ad might be well-intentioned, but it comes across as preachy, condescending and a tad insulting. Imagine a Venus ad telling women not to be gossipy, dramatic and passive aggressive. I'd imagine women would take offence to that, wouldn't you?

Don't lecture me about how to be a man and imply I'm prone to sin in some way for being a dude. Just advertise the overpriced razors, thank you.

And the things in the ad are so ridiculous - like the boss who interjects to explain (presumably "mansplain") something a female coworker said and she makes an expression like she just got raped. Give me a break. Maybe put your point across better in meetings and your boss won't have to clarify anything, eh?
Also why is this just for under-25s? Do none of us old farts get our own poll? Lol

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