# Is marketing adult diapers to young adults based on unnecessary greed? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 14, 2023, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036 "2023-07-14T15:27:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036/1 "2023-07-14T15:27:38Z")
There’s a ad on tv where a spokesperson says, _you can’t Kegel yourself out of this_, to a new mom. She is told Adult diapers is the answer. The spokesperson hands her a attractive and absorbent black panty/diaper. A 25 year old woman could be buying adult diapers for the next 60 years. That’s a lot of sales revenue for the companies that make adult diapers. It’s also a potential for UTI’s and skin rash. Shouldn’t consumers be advised to seek real medical help? Kegel exercises can be effective for men and women. Urology offers many treatments. IMHO Diapers should be a temporary solution while other options are tried. The commercials don’t suggest seeking treatment by a Urologist. Adult diapers are necessary in some cases. But that should be determined after seeking medical advice. Is marketing adult diapers to young adults based on unnecessary greed? Should commercials offer a disclaimer that professional advice is needed? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036/2 "2023-07-14T15:43:03Z")
Oh man. Not again. It is so easy to press the wrong link on a phone screen. I’ll report and ask this to be moved. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036/3 "2023-07-14T15:46:08Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I’ll report and ask this to be moved. Fixed. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036/4 "2023-07-14T15:48:28Z")
Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036/5 "2023-07-14T15:53:12Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Is marketing adult diapers to young adults based on unnecessary greed? Is marketing (fill in the blanks) unnecessary greed? Yes. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036/6 "2023-07-14T15:53:28Z")
Since no rules or this game are likely to be forthcoming I’ll address the question in the title. Unnecessary greed? You’d have to state the difference between unnecessary and necessary greed. It will be necessary for some people to wear adult diapers all their life. I don’t think people are unaware of the existence of adult diapers but I don’t know if that or anything else matters. A company in business to sell adult diapers should do whatever is necessary to realize the greatest return for it’s owners. If it’s a public company that usually translates to maximizing sales. Whether young adults actually need adult diapers in your opinion or anyone else’s is irrelevant. I wouldn’t be surprised to see increased use of adult diapers by many people since they work very well with modern absorbent materials. They’re already popular with obsessed people driving non-stop cross-country for questionable purposes, so I would imagine other long trip travelers for more appropriate reasons will start using them more. If it’s greed it’s no less necessary than any advertiser’s greed. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036/7 "2023-07-14T16:00:29Z")
Commercials used to have disclaimers. They were in in tiny print but they were on the screen for 2 seconds. 😉 Women are being encouraged to use a product that could cause UTI’s. People are free to make bad choices. Smoking is an example. But there is a warning on the package. It’s disturbing to think about a young adult in diapers when a visit to a Urologist _could_ fix or manage the medical problems. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036/8 "2023-07-14T16:06:38Z")
Talk about “See a need and fill it.” ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036/9 "2023-07-14T16:09:41Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Shouldn’t consumers be advised to seek real medical help? Kegel exercises can be effective for men and women. Urology offers many treatments. I don’t think any twenty-something adult needs to be advised to seek medical help for incontinence. They’re fully aware incontinence isn’t normal, and it would be an odd 26 year old woman who just shrugged and thought to herself that incontinence was the new normal. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036/10 "2023-07-14T16:11:16Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Commercials used to have disclaimers. They still do, and some of them are ridiculous. My personal favorites are car commercials featuring a vehicle just tooling around town driving in a completely normal fasion, but the disclaimer tells us it’s a driver on a closed course. Why? Is this protecting the consumer? ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036/11 "2023-07-14T16:18:21Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > to a new mom. How does suggesting adult diapers to a new mom turn in to > [@aceplace57](#): > > A 25 year old woman could be buying adult diapers for the next 60 years. ? And, so what if she has incontinence for the next 60 years? What do you think a urologist is going to say? “Don’t wear any sort of protective undergarments during treatment. Just sit in your pee. Maybe a puppy pad? Maybe quit your job if having pee pants makes you uncomfortable. And while you’re at it, don’t do anything that might give you a UTI or a rash, like having sex or swimming or wearing a pad or sweating. You CAN kegel your way out of this!” Come on, man. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036/12 "2023-07-14T16:37:02Z")
There’s medicine for incontinence and surgical procedures. Some cases can be resolved medically. Some will require diapers. I haven’t asked family members questions. TMI But I have heard incontinence is often a problem after childbirth. That’s why kegel exercises are recommended. I’m glad improved adult diapers are available. A lot of people need them. All it takes is a stroke and I may need them. That’s why I check my BP every day and take my meds. . ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036/13 "2023-07-14T16:47:07Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > > [@aceplace57](#): > > > > Commercials used to have disclaimers. > > They still do, and some of them are ridiculous. My personal favorites are car commercials featuring a vehicle just tooling around town driving in a completely normal fasion, but the disclaimer tells us it’s a driver on a closed course. Why? Is this protecting the consumer? - That’s to remind drivers that in everyday use, they are _not_ the only car on the road. Not entirely sarcastic. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036/14 "2023-07-14T17:05:50Z")
The way I see it, nobody who doesn’t actually need diapers is going to be convinced to use them by any sort of commercial. But there might be some folks out there who really do need them, but are too embarrassed to buy them, because that’s not supposed to happen to young people. That’s the demographic this ad is aimed at, to convince those people that it’s OK to buy a product that they do have a need for. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036/15 "2023-07-14T17:05:51Z")
If this catches on, I can see a clear through-line to an eventual commercial where a bunch of super attractive young people are dancing in a fancy club, with an announcer saying: “Restroom lines too long? Or just having too much fun on the dance floor? Now you can keep going on with your life without having to go away to go!” ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036/16 "2023-07-14T17:33:47Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Is marketing adult diapers to young adults based on unnecessary greed? Marketing, also known as “trying to convince consumers to buy whatever you’re selling,” is entirely about greed. There are countless products on the market that offer a less-than-ideal solution to a consumer’s problem, or are even detrimental to the consumer. A product or service may solve a consumer’s problem, but that’s not why the vendor wants to sell it. They (the vendor) want to solve _their_ problem, which is a need for revenue. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036/17 "2023-07-14T17:40:37Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > But I have heard incontinence is often a problem after childbirth. That’s why kegel exercises are recommended. Presumably postpartum women may still have incontinence even if they are doing Kegel exercises, and would prefer to avoid the embarrassment of visible leakage. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036/18 "2023-07-14T17:43:01Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > That’s to remind drivers that in everyday use, they are _not_ the only car on the road. Not entirely sarcastic. Most of them in my area think they are, even when among other cars. As for diapers for young adults, I’ve seen articles recently about parents not getting their healthy kids toilet trained until grade school. This seems a logical result of such. ---
**Author:** ![a6ka97](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c2a13f/32.png) [@a6ka97](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a6ka97)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036/19 "2023-07-14T18:51:30Z")
My thoughts on this thread? Depends… But if a person in marketing can tap a market the product doesn’t normally serve and sell more product then the person was doing their job. Whether that product is actually needed by the consumer the marketing person doesn’t care. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036/20 "2023-07-14T19:26:56Z")
> [@solost](#): > > “Restroom lines too long? Or just having too much fun on the dance floor? Now you can keep going on with your life without having to go away to go!” I’ve told this story before, but this seems a good spot for it again. Back when I was an upper 30-something my late first wife and I used to attend a local college sports bar a few blocks from our residence downtown. This was before the moral panic / hysteria about college-age drinking. Freshman getting hammered was A-OK normal. One of their promotions was “Bladder Buster Thursdays”. Pitchers of the local swill were IIRC $1.00 _until_ someone got up from your table to pee. Then normal prices ($5.00 / pitcher?) took over. The bar staff were _very_ aggressive about policing up empty pitchers & glasses lest they mysteriously refill themselves. It was great fun to go there and watch the college guys try to outdo each other. Also to watch them chase away the college women when they’d come by. How often do you see a semi-drunk fratrat leering at a 20yo hottie saying “Get lost, honey”? A few of my coworkers and I went one time to show them how it’s done. Not peeing for hours is a job requirement where we work. We comprehensively won. OTOTH, they were able to go to school tomorrow and we were toast. Youth is so wasted on the young. Such fun. I miss it. To tie this back to the thread, I can sure see those diapers being popular if the BBT promotion was still available anywhere in our badly confused uptight blue-nosed country. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036.md?page=2)