September 8th 2023.
Keys? Check. Wallet? Check. Phone? Check. Condoms? Check.
No matter the name – rubbers, Johnnies, or even a French letter – we've all probably used them. The shift in attitudes towards condoms has been huge, evolving from being shunned in the 70s to being cool by the noughties. But what has made them such a must-have item?
The first phophylactic was introduced in 1855, made from rubber as thick as a bicycle inner tube and custom made. This year, Durex – occupying 40% of the global condom market, worth $4.6bn – are set to deliver their ‘thinnest’ ever condoms called Nude, to ‘maximise sensation’.
This metamorphosis has been a long time coming – involving a global health crisis, accidental pregnancies, demand for better options, and the ongoing pleasure debate.
Ben Wilson, sexual wellbeing director at Reckitt, home to Durex, says that although there’s still taboo surrounding condoms, significant progress has been made in the last three decades. He credits popular culture and wider society issues, such as the AIDS crisis of the 1980s, for helping to normalise condoms.
Marketing has also played a huge role in getting people on board with using them. For example, in 2010, a French non-profit, supporting those with HIV and AIDS called Aides, created an advertisement that went against guidelines, but was given the green light, paving the way for future condom advertising.
Research has looked into the reasons people choose to go with and without condoms, and found that common reasons for not using one included being in a steady relationship, being unprepared, not being bothered, and being pressured by men.
Tricia Wise, a safe sex influencer who goes by the Safe Slut, says that although she always prefers to use condoms, there were times in the past when she felt pressured to go without.
That was until she contracted genital herpes in November 2019. Now, she advocates for better understanding of herpes and safe sex, emphasising the importance of communication. For Tricia, condoms are ‘not even a question’ for casual one night stands, and she’s never had any bad responses when revealing she has HSV.
James*, 27, is another who had his contraception choice shaped by personal experience. Never a ‘one-night stand kind of guy’, he says condoms just weren’t a subject he’d discuss with friends – and are still something he feels self-conscious talking about.
Although he admits he wasn’t initially a fan of the contraception, he now swears by them.
Clearly, condoms have come a long way since the pig intestines of the 1640s, and the sheep intestines of the 1800s. It’s only been in the last three decades that significant progress has been made, but the conversation around safe sex is far from over.
The stigma, the pressure, and the self-consciousness still exist, and it’s only through education, communication, and normalisation that the taboo and anxiety surrounding condoms and safer sex practices can be broken down.
Keys? Check. Wallet? Check. Phone? Check. Condoms? Check. From rubbers, to Johnnies, to even the fancy French letter, condoms are something that many of us carry without hesitation. But how did this essential item become so popular?
The first condom was created back in 1855 using rubber as thick as a bicycle inner tube and custom made. Yet, it wasn't until nearly 170 years later that Durex, occupying 40% of the global condom market, released their thinnest condom yet, called Nude, to maximize pleasure.
This metamorphosis has been a long time coming. It involved a global health crisis, accidental pregnancies, and the need for better options. Ben Wilson, sexual wellbeing director at Reckitt, home to Durex, says it was only in the last three decades that significant progress has been made.
Popular culture also helped in normalizing condoms. In the 1970s, Durex sponsored Formula 1 and motorsports to target the young male demographic. By the 1990s, they were doing work with MTV, targeting young people. The AIDS crisis of the 1980s was also a huge driver for the benefits of condoms.
Advertising companies have been working hard to get the message across. For example, in 2010, a French non-profit created a video of graffiti drawings of genitalia enjoying sex with a condom, despite it going against the guidelines. This paved the way for future condom advertising.
However, people's personal reasons for using and not using condoms vary. A study among homosexual men found common reasons for not using one included being in a steady relationship, being unprepared, and not being bothered. Other research has looked into being pressured by men, especially as a woman, to forgo condom use.
Tricia Wise, a safe sex influencer, has experienced this in the past. She was afraid of advocating for herself and would sometimes agree to go without a condom. After contracting genital herpes in 2019, she realized how important condoms are and now prioritizes communication when practicing safe sex.
James* was another who had his contraception choice shaped by personal experience. Never a 'one-night stand kind of guy', he says condoms just weren't a subject he'd discuss with friends - and are still something he feels self-conscious talking about. Although initially not a fan, the 27-year-old now swears by them.
It's clear that the evolution of condoms has been a long and winding journey. From the thick bicycle inner tubes, to Durex's thinnest condoms yet, to even a French non-profit's video, the message is clear - condoms are essential.
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