# 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:** 2
**Author:** ![Ranch\_Dip](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranch_dip/32/5238_2.png) [@Ranch\_Dip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranch_Dip)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036/21 "2023-07-14T19:29:21Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > The spokesperson hands her a attractive and absorbent black panty/diaper. Period panties are a thing. This could be something like that. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036/22 "2023-07-14T19:49:09Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > There’s medicine for incontinence and surgical procedures. > > Some cases can be resolved medically. Some will require diapers. And sometimes it’s not worth it to bother with medication or surgery. . Incontinence doesn’t always or even usually mean that the bladder suddenly completely empties itself. There are plenty of times that what it means is some urine leaks with a cough or a laugh or a sneeze. It’s entirely possible that someone might have leakage once or twice a day ( or even less often) and prefer pads or diapers to surgery or medication. Nobody is going to buy diapers who doesn’t need them - and the incidence of UTIs can be reduced by changing diapers/pads as soon as they become wet. Which may not happen for someone in a nursing home who can’t change themself - but no 26 year old is going to walk around for hours in a wet diaper. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036/23 "2023-07-14T19:56:19Z")
I’m usually all about ads being greedy, with 95% of them being either about getting you to associate certain things with their product or creating/amplifying a need that only their product can fill. But this seems like the 5%, reminding those who might benefit that they exist, without making anyone else really consider them. Plus there’s the secondary aspect: making it feel better for those who would ordinarily buy them. See also those ads that are clearly for accessibility aids, but depict things as problems for the average person. You know, the ones that show the problem in black-and-white and comically exaggerate the problems? In short, it may even be the older adults that this is targeted towards, by making them not feel so different from the “hip” younger adults. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036/24 "2023-07-14T20:01:31Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > I don’t think any twenty-something adult needs to be advised to seek medical help for incontinence. Unfortunately, a sizable portion of the American population doesn’t see doctors and has no idea when they should be seeing doctors according to the stories I’ve heard. Also, people who turn to herbal or homeopathic medicines way too often don’t seek medical advice even about far more serious conditions. Whether they’re a market for adult diapers is beyond me. But there is no bar about medicine so low that the American public can’t dance beneath. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036/25 "2023-07-14T20:03:50Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Unfortunately, a sizable portion of the American population doesn’t see doctors and has no idea when they should be seeing doctors according to the stories I’ve heard. Also, people who turn to herbal or homeopathic medicines way too often don’t seek medical advice even about far more serious conditions. Particularly for people under 40. I just read a stat, as part of a work project, that 40% of Millennials and Gen Zs look to social media influencers for health advice. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036/26 "2023-07-14T20:13:08Z")
I have to take a bit of umbrage about this as a woman with stress incontinence due to childbirth. I saw a physical therapist, but they limit your sessions to just a few weeks so you don’t really see results before the sessions are over. The PT advised me not to use menstrual pads if I could help it. Well the truth is, pads don’t have the coverage you need anyway. I really didn’t see results and every time I catch a cold or flu it’s a nightmare, especially because it triggers my asthma. I bought a few pairs of incontinence underwear and reusable pads to get me through, but it’s an imperfect solution. I’m probably squarely in this company’s market demographic. Thank your mother. ---
**Author:** ![Kropotkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kropotkin/32/18045_2.png) [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036/27 "2023-07-14T20:22:49Z")
Perhaps the disclaimers are to protect the advertiser. “Hey, your beer ads suggested that drinking was all about fun, so I drank 10 and then fell off the balcony and it’s your fault, so pay up” has less of a chance of success in a lawsuit if there is a disclaimer about exercising caution. Ditto with the car ads: “hey, your ad suggested it was cool to do donuts across 6 lanes of highway at 100 mph, so…” “Our defence, your Honor, is we made it clear donuts should only be done on closed tracks with trained drivers. We in no way suggested or implied that dipshits should be pulling this stunt across I5.” ---
**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, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036/28 "2023-07-14T20:22:53Z")
Thanks for sharing your perspective. Not having gone through this myself I couldn’t quite articulate my issues with the premise of the OP. Now you’ve straightened this out. ---
**Author:** ![kitap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kitap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitap)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036/29 "2023-07-14T21:27:39Z")
I started using them during chemo and radiation after an accident. At work. They have been worth it because man, chemo can seriously mess with your digestive system. ---
**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, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036/30 "2023-07-14T21:42:50Z")
It’s wonderful adult diapers have been improved and are available for people that need them. I can imagine how badly chemo wrecks people’s GI track. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036/31 "2023-07-14T21:54:01Z")
Sounds like they need to be marketing _Oops I crapped my pants_ to a new generation. [Oops! I Crapped My Pants: Undergarments for the Elderly - Saturday Night Live - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQ9qsXu34SM) ---
**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, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036/32 "2023-07-14T22:06:33Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > It’s wonderful adult diapers have been improved and are available for people that need them. > > I can imagine how badly chemo wrecks people’s GI track. So do you acknowledge that the OP is based on a false premise of adult diapers being unnecessarily marketed? ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036/33 "2023-07-14T22:49:19Z")
Leslie Nielsen did this one several years before the launch of Viagra. One wonders what he would have done with some of THOSE commercials. (Sorry, I still can’t post a YT link, but it’s not hard to find. Just look up Geritech. I never had kids, but several people recommended that my SIL get some Depends before her first child was born, and while AFAIK she didn’t have urinary incontinence, she, like all new moms, had lochia, and that can be awfully messy too. ---
**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, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036/34 "2023-07-14T22:49:50Z")
I was referring to a specific commercial. Where kegel exercises were dismissed as an option. A new mom was advised to buy diapers. I found it disturbing that was supposed to be the first option for a medical problem. I’ll post a link if I can find it on YT. I’ll have to wait until it runs on tv. I don’t remember the brand. There are many situations where diapers are very helpful to adult patients. Here is a balanced article. It discusses ways to manage incontinence and when to consider diapers. > **[When to Get Diapers for Urinary Incontinence](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/are-you-thinking-about-adult-diapers-for-urinary-incontinence/)** > > Do you need them? Learn about your options ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036/35 "2023-07-14T23:01:10Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I found it disturbing that was supposed to be the first option for a medical problem. Well it’s a _great_ first option to choose while one is waiting for their medical appointment (which may take months to get). As a physician who’s treated incontinence in men and women of all age groups, I’ve no problem with ads for the product pointing out they can benefit more than just infants and elders. And I generally hate a lot of the prescription drug ads I see on TV, etc. which are aimed directly at the patient. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036/36 "2023-07-14T23:08:38Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I was referring to a specific commercial. Where kegel exercises were dismissed as an option. FYI my physical therapist recommended against doing kegels. In fact every pelvic floor therapist I’ve ever had recommended against kegels. The problem with stress incontinence, which may seem counter-intuitive, is that the pelvic muscles aren’t relaxed _enough._ When they overcontract, they empty the bladder. There are things that some people can do to address stress incontinence, medically. Physical therapy may or may not be helpful, but that course of action is rather invasive and time-consuming. Surgery, in addition to being invasive, may be risky or cost-prohibitive. If you only have an occasional problem - say just when you have a cold - surgery seems like a pretty extreme move. Frankly it would take a lot for me to allow a scalpel anywhere near my nether regions. And let’s suppose someone does do all those things - therapy and surgery - what do they do in the meantime? ---
**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, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036/37 "2023-07-14T23:13:34Z")
They should use diapers. I’m not against the product when needed. I wish the commercial would have at least said we recommend seeing a urologist for persistent problems. A 15 sec advisory. ---
**Author:** ![actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/actualliberalnotoneofthose)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036/38 "2023-07-14T23:14:02Z")
Some people are unable to have medical procedures, due to cost/access or simply not wanting invasive surgery among other things. I’m not incontinent or close to it but I have some issues, at least some of which are probably as a RESULT of a surgery that corrected something else. Also, I supposedly have “very good” health insurance but I pretty much almost went bankrupt after the co-pay/out of pocket plus missed time off work (I was on a short-term disability which paid me a net $6 a week after benefits and taxes), etc. My wife doesn’t wear diapers but she uses other products for leakage and whatever. She had some damage from childbirth that could be surgically corrected, but see above plus the fact she was/is more scared of undergoing the surgery than what caused it. People forgo medical treatments all the time for various reasons and some people choose to use temporary products for things that may be intermittent or not worth it (or you know, not having universal access to every procedure under the sun) to correct in a more major way. I would say the majority of people I see every day have messed up teeth, I don’t stop and ask them why they don’t go to the dentist and/or have a minimum 5 figures in procedures when they are probably just trying to get by. They probably even leak or bleed from somewhere and try to deal with it. ---
**Author:** ![actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/actualliberalnotoneofthose)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036/39 "2023-07-14T23:15:41Z")
I understand this. There’s just no self-interest in a business doing that and no regulatory mechanism obligating them to. So, “buy our diapers” it is. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036/40 "2023-07-14T23:19:11Z")
I understand what you are saying, but I don’t think lack of knowledge that you can go to the doctor for this sort of thing is really an issue. This is the age of the Internet and post-natal women talk about this stuff a lot. Most people know that you can go to the doctor for things. That they often don’t, well, that’s a whole other issue. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marketing-adult-diapers-to-young-adults-based-on-unnecessary-greed/987036.md?page=3)