If Boys Had Girl Parts

Generally, I try to avoid advertiser-created viral videos like the plague. Created by corporations, they tend to make me feel duped into watching them, whether they're any good or not. But I found a new series of viral videos by Tampax to be unusually amusing and surprisingly endearing.

At Zack16.com, 16-year-old Zack Johnson wakes up to find his penis has disappeared and been replaced by a vagina. Quelle horror! I'm sure some PhD candidate would have a fine time unpacking the constellation of Freudian issues therein—oh, the anxieties of being a man in the 21st century!—but as entertainment, it's amusing, even adorable to watch Zack struggle with the mysteries of his new genitalia, find out how boys act through his new eyes as a sort-of-girl, and struggle through the surprise of getting his period for the first time.

Some of the gender issues Zack encounters reminded me of a documentary I once saw on women who were transitioning into men. They inhabited this unique double-consciousness: Am I man? Or a woman? Or something in between? Sometimes, puberty is like that, too.

Sure, I guess this makes me one more sucker for Tampax's latest stealth campaign, but watching a teen boy do the oh-my-god-I-got-my-period-in-class shuffle made me laugh.

Tags: ads, advertising, health, internet, tampax, zack16.com

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Susannah Breslin Freelance journalist, blogger, photographer.

Comments

video is problematic

By: sebastianbound | Mon, 06/22/2009 - 20:19

I found the video initially endearing, as well. As a female to male transexual, the idea of waking up with the wrong parts is a bit how I feel every time I get my period. (keeping in mind that I speak for myself, not all trans men out there, please.)

But, there is a lot of essentialism (meaning that the parts define the person) in the video and the associated website material. Some of it is downright sexist: girls like baking and chick flicks, guys are stupid.

About the article; the double consciousness that I know that I feel isn't about what gender I am, I am secure in knowing that I am a man, but in the way others view me. Am I being seen as a man, or am I being seen as a woman? How will this next person treat me? Do people think that I represent all trans people? Should I worry about how I look so that I am more accepted as a man in society, or should I stick with what's comfortable for me?

There is also the question of who exactly is Tampax trying to get with these advertisements? transexuals(unlikely)? Tom boys?

After glancing at the site...

By: auros | Thu, 06/18/2009 - 17:13

...I find the degree to which it actually manages to take its gender-bending premise, and then perpetuate gender stereotypes, kind of appalling. To cite what may be the most blatant example, in the profile of the main character's sister, she talks about how the "new" Zack cried when he saw a love story on TV. WTF?

And Strip Searching a 13 yr old girl fits in too!

By: misslkodell | Thu, 06/18/2009 - 11:14

Shouldnt the Supreme Court take a look at that locker scene? Might make them think on the thought of a 13 yr old girl being strip searched is not ok for many many many reasons