Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Volume 36, Number 4. 21st March 1973

Up from Under!

Up from Under!

Penis Sprays Next?

Not on your life! Since men have not been subjected to an intensive and demoralising advertising campaign to convince them that they smell, they are unlikely to entertain the idea that an aerosol deodorant is necessary to keep their genitals clean and sweet.

Why then is there a demand (according to retailers, and judging by the proliferation of brands) for "intimate" sprays for women when such things did not exist until about two years ago? Mainly because of advertising. The message has been coming across strongly for years that women in their natural state smell nasty, that to be sexually attractive they must be deodorised from top to toe. Now the last bastion has been attacked, the hygeine ethic has gone too far — is the vagina really so rank?

Let's have some facts:
1. The human body, male or female, smells offensive after a period of time if unwashed — but this is easily rectified by the application of plain soap and water. However, some smell is okay, people — it's human to smell human. You shouldn't have to make like a violet to be socially acceptable.
2. Genital odour which remains after washing could be due to an infection. Spraying in an attempt to cover this could delay diagnosis and treatment.
3. Genital sprays can cause irritation and allergic reactions (very traumatic in this particular region), not only in users but sometimes in sexual partners.
4. Manufacturers put no warnings on the cans that such reactions could occur, nor do they list the ingredients of the products, one of-which is Hexachlorophene which is considered a suspect substance overseas.
5. Most important, these products and the obnoxious advertising for them are extremely degrading to women. If they sell it is only because they capitalise on women's insecurities — insecurities fostered by cunning advertisements.

Vaginal deodorants are unnecessary, they are dangerous, and they are a prime example of Demand Created by Advertising.

— Hazel Irvine

Rothmans Sexist as well as Racist

It is interesting to note that although the Students' Association Exec. has banned the sale of Rothman's cigarettes in the Union on the grounds that this would imply support of racism, it has implied support of sexism by allowing representatives of this company to distribute samples of a new cigarette, Belvedere, that "separates the men from the girls". One of the men distributing the samples refused to give one to a woman who asked for it, because, he said, they were "for men only", and she should smoke Topaz. Both of these brands are manufactured by Rothmans but have totally contradictory advertising campaigns. Topaz is aimed at the new "liberated" woman, and as a specifically woman's cigarette claims to be a step towards equality — yet another attempt to pervert the rising feminist consciousness for commercial ends. The Belvedere campaign, on the other hand, is cashing in on the reaction to feminism — "Belvedere ... is for men and men only. Let's keep it that way". The obvious contrast between these two campaigns shows up the blatant hypocrisy of the manufacturers. The Students' Association should dissociate itself from sexist advertising of this kind.

Help Needed for Te Kainga

Te Kainga, the only free childcare centre in Wellington, has for some time now been in severe financial straits, and is fighting against threatened closure. Added to these difficulties now is a shortage of helpers. If readers know of anyone, male or female, any age, who likes children and would be prepared to give even just an hour of their time now and then to help out, Te Kainga is very anxious to get in touch with them. Education students may find this a good opportunity to work and play with some real live children. People who can speak Maori would be particularly welcome. The phone number of the creche is 553-104, or ring Helene at 759-706.

— Jill Braseil

Contributions to this column may be posted to P.O. Box 3871 Wellington, or handed into the Salient Office. University Feminists meet every Monday night at 8pm Lounge, U.U.B.