Mansplaining, Despite Good Intentions: A Response to “When Guys Go Off Their Birth Control” Video.
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Mansplaining, Despite Good Intentions: A Response to “When Guys Go Off Their Birth Control” Video.

This video may have good intentions, but I don't think it's as effective as producers may hope.

20
Mansplaining, Despite Good Intentions: A Response to “When Guys Go Off Their Birth Control” Video.
New Yorker

There’s a video circulating around The Odyssey, entitled “When Guys Go Off Their Birth Control,” which appears to be an attempt at satire concerning side effects, difficulty attaining, and complications of birth control.

The four white males, in the middle of a heated match of Beer Pong, seem to be making fun of men in general, and making fun of how easy males have it when it comes to contraception.

Despite the good intentions to bring light to the controversial, unequitable, and vitally important issue of women’s reproductive rights, I still take issue with this video. In writing this, I’m trying as I go to figure out exactly why, so if anyone has further input, I’d love to hear your opinions.

These men in this video are poking fun at hypothetical complaints that men might utter in protest of condoms’ “inconvenience.” While they draw a satirical parallel, between the minor and inconsequential effects of using condoms and the momentous consequences and complications that women go through to obtain birth control or any kind of contraceptive, the important issue that this video takes on needs more serious attention than it gets.

The four men sarcastically whine at annoyances such as having to search for the free basket of condoms, having to suffer the humiliation of asking for condoms over the counter, having to pay a wild amount of 75 cents, as the characters lament, for condoms, and having to remember to actually put a condom on every time they have sex.

This video is really bugging me. I think the reason is this: by setting this scene for discussion of reproductive rights among a crowd of men, it makes the point they’re trying to make sort of painful. Everything they’re trying to achieve through humor, sarcasm, and satire here is really significant and valid; however, these men are mansplaining their way to equality.

I know that, at least from a very optimistic and uniform perspective, any discussion about and progress towards this issue is good. Still, however, women need to have their voices heard when we have to deal with inequality and injustice in the legislature and policy directly affecting our bodies.

It’s insulting that education on reproductive rights come from men in this video. It perpetuates the offensive cultural norm that views women as inferior to men.

Furthermore, in taking a look at the profile page of “Above Average,” the creators of the video, it is unclear whether or not these creators really advocate for reproductive justice or not. This makes me suspicious about the intentions of the video; are they really intending to push for women’s equality? Or are they simply joking around and taking this issue too lightly.

Especially in our painful and turbulent political climate, women’s reproductive health and justice is no joke. We need serious, consistent, and clear messages about the importance of this issue. We do not need any men, or people, to joke around and belittle our justice, nor do we need men to mansplain our issues for us.

Again, if anyone else has thoughts on this video, I’d love to hear them.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

52353
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

33637
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

956412
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

181274
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments