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Volvo Announces Their New Policy On Parental Leave, But Many People Aren’t Happy With Their Choice Of Illustration
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Volvo Announces Their New Policy On Parental Leave, But Many People Aren’t Happy With Their Choice Of Illustration

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It’s no surprise that the majority of big brands are jumping the bandwagon on progressive and liberal ad campaigns. However, such initiatives often attract a great deal of controversy (for example, two of Gillette’s advertisement campaigns have received huge backlash over their progressive ads – one on body positivity – and the other on toxic masculinity). Now the Swedish multinational manufacturing company, Volvo, has come under the spotlight for featuring two same-sex parents in their most recent ad. The company was introducing its newest paid gender-neutral parental leave policy which was inspired by the Swedish approach to parental leave and chose an illustration of two same-sex parents which stirred up controversy on their Facebook page.

More info: Volvo

Today, the giant car company, Volvo, has come under fire for featuring two same-sex parents in their ad

Image credits: Volvo cars

The car manufacturing giant has introduced a new policy on paid, gender-neutral parental leave for their employees. This is how Volvo has introduced the idea: “Being the human-centric and progressive company that we are, our EMEA team wondered: Can we extend those benefits to our employees outside Sweden? Turns out we can. To start with, we now introduce a paid, gender-neutral parental leave policy for all our sales company employees in the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East & Africa) offering parents a total of six months of leave with 80 percent pay.” The head of Volvo’s HR also added: “The EMEA initiative is one of several activities with the aim to create an inclusive culture and attract and retain a diverse set of people. It improves life-work balance, boosts family time and fits with a progressive, human-centric company like Volvo Cars.”

Most countries in the EMEA region already offer some form of paid parental leave

However, as Volvo explains, there exists a large discrepancy between what is available for mothers and fathers – often to the disadvantage of the latter. The policy is also aiming to boost the labor market and career opportunities for women by “reducing career and pay gaps.”

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It is not the first Volvo initiative on addressing inclusivity

Image credits: Volvo Car UK

Just last year, the car company released an ad called “The new family model.” In the Westfield shopping center in London, Volvo has redesigned the family parking icons to reflect more modern families – including ones of same-sex parents.

However, many people were not happy with Volvo’s choice of illustration

A Volvo representative responded to Michael’s comment saying: “Hi Michael, you are of course entitled to your opinion. However, we must disagree.”

Another user commented that Volvo should feature the same ad on the Volvo Cars United Arab Emirates page. No representative has responded to it yet.

Volvo representatives have also responded to the suggestion, saying: “Hello Konrad. This is part of our people strategy. Being a human-centric company with a culture built on caring about people, this is in line with what we stand for as a company.”

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The comment section turned into quite a discussion

Nonetheless, numerous people were celebrating the initiative as well as Volvo’s choice of illustration

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What do you think? Is it “too much” for you? Is the company just trying to boost their revenue by exploiting progressive and popular ideas? Or are they really as liberal and human-centric as they claim to be?

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tori_grafft avatar
Tori Grafft
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's more about them just being inclusive and normalizing something that should never have been a stigma, than trying "shove" a social issue down your throat. I bet your grand parents felt the same way when they saw movies/commercials where women had a job outside of the home, or when they showed Black People and White People interacting peacefully like normal human beings.

suzi63 avatar
Suzi Gauthier
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Re the comment below, what about the commercials shoving heterosexual relationships down everyone's throat?

Load More Replies...
elizabethlordcary avatar
Elizabeth
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sweden, home of Volvo, is one of the most gender progressive countries in the world. It makes COMPLETE sense that the company would follow suit. I just wonder if some of the people complaining would still be complaining if the ad had featured a female couple instead of male?

costa2706 avatar
Kari Panda
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even if you disagree with LGBT - this is a case in which the representation of same sex couples is completely justified. Parental leave is something legally available to every parent. Saying you don’t want this picture is like saying you don’t women to be represented in voting commercials because you think women shouldn’t be allowed to vote.

tori_grafft avatar
Tori Grafft
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have been noticing a lot more shows and commercials randomly putting in a LGBT Character without making a big deal about it. Which is great! Because back in the day they would make a whole few minutes centered around that character being gay, and the other people's reactions. Now when an LGBT character brings their date, they just get the same reaction as a non LGBT character bringing their date.

captaindash avatar
Full Name
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Yes! Tolerance is achieved only when nobody gives a s**t either way. Making a production out of it to draw as much attention as possible and then saying "we just want to be treated the same as everyone else" is not the way to go.

Load More Replies...
crabcrab avatar
Hans
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Norway, the same parental benefits apply to same-sex couples that do to hetero couples. They even have adapted the language. Two women? You get mor and medmor, literally mom and with-mom, in the sense of "also". Same with far and medfar. We can learn a lot from the scandinavian countries in accepting what ought to be normal. And there is not a single reason to believe that children raised by same-sex couples are any less loved or have any disadvantages. (Says Hans, by the way, a father in a "traditional" wife-husband family.)

be13jansen avatar
Bettina Jansen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Always love people getting triggered about stuff that (in my opinion) shouldn't even get a second look, beyond that "oh, cool" or "oh, nice" reaction.

cathyroberts avatar
Wanda Queen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

AKA People on the internet throw a hissy fit every time anyone with a different look or lifestyle gets representation.

pusheenbuttercup avatar
pusheen buttercup
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Rather than focusing on the fact that they are lgbt, is it possible we could see them as "just a couple"? What if they were black, would it be ok to say "oh, that's not a normal couple, that's a black couple!" Minorities are less common, yes, but there's no reason to make such a fuss just because they're different. Do I believe personally, that everyone should accept each other? Well... let's start with tolerance. I'll do me, you do you. We don't tell the other how to live simply by existing and being happy.

shulderkat avatar
Niles
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the people offended by this are unbelievably feeble. if it hurts you to see a same sex couple in an ad, please get help.

markfuller avatar
Mark Fuller
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WTF?? Why on earth do people even care? The biggest compliment you can pay a gay person is not to give a toss. Because sexuality is no more exciting or interesting or weird or unique than the colour of our eyes or favourite movie. It's a dull, boring fact of life that gay people do indeed exist. Always have. Always will. And FYI for some odd reason, we don't object to or feel threatened by those 'bizarre' straight folk, lol! Well, we're still made to feel unsafe, especially in some backward countries. But we don't look down on those that aren't the same as us.

pusheenbuttercup avatar
pusheen buttercup
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know about this particular ad. But in terms of LGBT in advertising... Yes they are a minority, however there are some out there, and they may want to buy your product. Commercials often try and use people that are similar to the ones they're trying to reach. Some commercials use it for an agenda yes, (even offending the people they are trying to represent) but some do not, except for the agenda to make money, as usual. Since we are a very diverse country, I feel happy to see more variety in races, orientation, lifestyles, and ages in commercials in general, so long as they are represented in a good light. I think just because you see representation, doesn't necessarily indicate the presence of pressure to accept. Maybe tolerate, perhaps. But I don't think just seeing them is enough to go as far to say that they're pushing an agenda. I personally do not see simply "viewing a same sex couple" to be the same as "viewing a same sex couple AND you must BE or accept gays".

virgilblue avatar
Virgil Blue
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As long as people live with the ones they love I'm happy for them. There is to little love in the world as it is.

ethanliu avatar
Ethan Liu
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

10 out of 10 would like to see this in UAE and Saudi Arabia

suzi63 avatar
Suzi Gauthier
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So all the people challenging Volvo to post this commercial in the UAE think we should be like the UAE?

loucat197 avatar
mild anxiety! at the disco
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anyone else just go to articles like this for the ridiculous comment section, and scroll all the way down to the most-downvoted comments for entertainment

dirigobill avatar
Bill
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is no such thing as bad publicity. Volvo gets a spot rent free in some people's minds.

angele_therese avatar
Noez 🇸🇪
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is nothing but awesome! Love is love 🏳️‍🌈🇸🇪

tiddlesworth avatar
Bob 2.0
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel like a lot of these commenters are trying to make something out of nothing. It's just a progressive ad, chill out.

whomstthehecketh avatar
better version of alex
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Why does it assume only males can adopt?" B***h, why are you assuming that it is? They said, hey, let's do a same-sex couple to show inclusiveness and awareness, let's have it be men! They aren't assuming that, you're jumping to wild unbased conclusions with only your opinions as backup.

pennypacker3000 avatar
David Jeu
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think this ad is offending.. to the eye. Look at this awful clip art drawing.

owlpayson avatar
Owl Payson
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Okay I get the body positivity one because it was simply not healthy. But not the masculinity one or this. How does this trigger people

raroararoa avatar
RaroaRaroa
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Full Name, it was an ad about how they treat their staff, about people, not cars. Therefore, there are people in the ad.

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thechopstick avatar
The Chopstick
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can we shut up about the gay people? Stop overreacting bois bc this lesbian octopus is out to murder you

rumani8888 avatar
Lana Belysheva
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think that the picture is lovely and kudos to Volvo for valiantly making yet another step out of dark ages.

me_139 avatar
Me!
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Was the Mark Grigg twitter commenter, being sarcastic and exaggerating or, does he really feel that way? My goodness, I'd be so curious to see the commercials he comes up with based off his ideals.

ella-kiser avatar
Bumble Boozle
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

love is love. It shouldn't make people angry to see these kinds of things on the internet or in advertising. but hey! what do I know! I'm just some young bisexual adult on the internet defending myself.

sweetangelce04 avatar
Christina Sersif
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't think I have ever overanalyzed an ad before and it's kind of pathetic that people do to this extreme. Wow.

ingridtsai avatar
me
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Um.... people complaining that companies are not inclusive and that heterosexual couples are the default, then complaining that they are just doing it for "a publicity stunt"

emilystander avatar
Emily
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What these people have said is that LGBTQ couples are different and more fragile than any other relationship. True, you should be careful about some things, but this uproar is just silly.

augustomatraga avatar
Augusto Matraga
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Besides the inclusiveness of these ads, which is perfect, VOLVO is also smart to realize that LGBT+ people, both single and in a serious relationship, usually are wealthier than their heterosexual counterparts, so it makes total sense to focus on this segment of society. I personally believe that LGBT people are much more numerous than the official statistics leads us to believe - especially the bisexual individuals: I know several married men and a few married women that I am totally sure are bisexual. And, as Yuval Harari points out quite clearly in his book "Sapiens", everything that is possible is therefore natural, so homosexuality and bisexuality are as natural and healthy as heterosexuality. So, Volvo is just acknowledging this fact.

ngaerewoodford avatar
NWB
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have ZERO interest in it being inclusive...im more concerned about the s****y clipart like images they used!

sharronlparsons avatar
sharron lynn parsons
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a sweet world we live in, constantly issues to discuss with varied opinions, people don't be so darn negative, live and let live, this too shall blow over until the next one, nothing wrong with the ad, good decisions only !!!

debrinablackmoon avatar
debrina blackmoon
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i see nothing wrong here and have nothing against gay, bi, etc. really

sc_2 avatar
S C
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Of course people are pissed off. Places don’t even offer mother’s paid leave yet they are willing to allow people who aren’t giving birth time off. That stupid.

chi-weishen avatar
chi-wei shen
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

If they give same-sex parents the same benefits as other parents it's just the right thing to do. It's good for them and good for the parents. Do it and don't make a big deal out of it. Using this company policy as an ad just says "look, we are good, buy from us." It stinks and many people don't want Volvo to shove this down their throats.

raroararoa avatar
RaroaRaroa
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If too much is being "shoved down your throat" maybe it's time to shut your mouth. Really, how is a picture in an ad "shoving it down your throat"? No one is waving it in your face, yelling at you to like it. Just turn the page, or even take a minute to consider why it would even bother you.

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lchizum avatar
Eel Music
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

God clearly speaks against this in the bible. If you throw out the bible, you also bet against Jesus. It's risky to mess with the big guy.

pusheenbuttercup avatar
pusheen buttercup
Community Member
4 years ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I happen to be a combination of many different minorities. I'm a bisexual, mixed race, (Caucasian, Vietnamese, Cherokee) autistic woman in her middle twenties. Would I be offended if no one represented "me", in a commercial? No... would it make me happy if they somehow did? Yes, so long as they did it in a good light and didn't talk down to me, or others like me. What I wouldn't give for commercials to be more eloquent and intelligent. At the very least, somewhat respectful! I feel this one did an "ok" job, but they did sort of lump all the minorities together instead of showing them as "mixed in" with heterosexual couples as well.

cjoharpole avatar
xiaomiao
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I applaud this BUT it is for public "we're awesome" points, they wondered if they could provide the same benefits to all couples? It is their company they can do whatever they want over the legal minimums, we should stop patting ourselves on the back for doing what is right. Better recognition would be to have an outside source, like a media outlet run a piece on it, that way it doesn't seem so self-serving, it still is, if generated in house, but it looks better.

pusheenbuttercup avatar
pusheen buttercup
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

One thing I felt the commercial should have added is a depiction of a straight couple too. It should have put all kinds of people together, not just the minorities. Less "them vs. us" mentality. We should all stand up for ourselves, yes, but we don't need to do it by dividing people. I understand it would be impossible to pack every different sort of group into one commercial, but still. Simultaneously I would love to see more cars made comfortable for people who are overweight. Being from america we have a very high obesity rate, and even the UK has them too obviously. People of different orientations and genders or races don't "necessarily" need to drive different types of cars, but I know my father personally has never felt comfortable, because of his tall height, and also weight. I haven't been very comfortable because of my height as well. (Almost under five feet here) If you want to make cars for people, these needs have gone unresolved for a long while.

suzi63 avatar
Suzi Gauthier
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are literally millions of ads with straight couples. Is it just too much to bear to have a gay couple?

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beluga2264 avatar
Natasha Forchione
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I used to own a Volvo and was the worst car I have ever owned!! I bought the car new and started having problems about a month after I bought it and it was never truly fixed. They had the worst customer service out of any dealers. I sent videos and wrote letters always saying it would be fixed and never was. Spent endless hours on the phone and at their dealerships and my car always had issues, when one issue was fixed another one start happening. I should have sued them!

maya_3 avatar
Maya
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

the world is really becoming very weird stop making it normal to have same sex life partner (couples)

tori_grafft avatar
Tori Grafft
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's more about them just being inclusive and normalizing something that should never have been a stigma, than trying "shove" a social issue down your throat. I bet your grand parents felt the same way when they saw movies/commercials where women had a job outside of the home, or when they showed Black People and White People interacting peacefully like normal human beings.

suzi63 avatar
Suzi Gauthier
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Re the comment below, what about the commercials shoving heterosexual relationships down everyone's throat?

Load More Replies...
elizabethlordcary avatar
Elizabeth
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sweden, home of Volvo, is one of the most gender progressive countries in the world. It makes COMPLETE sense that the company would follow suit. I just wonder if some of the people complaining would still be complaining if the ad had featured a female couple instead of male?

costa2706 avatar
Kari Panda
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even if you disagree with LGBT - this is a case in which the representation of same sex couples is completely justified. Parental leave is something legally available to every parent. Saying you don’t want this picture is like saying you don’t women to be represented in voting commercials because you think women shouldn’t be allowed to vote.

tori_grafft avatar
Tori Grafft
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have been noticing a lot more shows and commercials randomly putting in a LGBT Character without making a big deal about it. Which is great! Because back in the day they would make a whole few minutes centered around that character being gay, and the other people's reactions. Now when an LGBT character brings their date, they just get the same reaction as a non LGBT character bringing their date.

captaindash avatar
Full Name
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Yes! Tolerance is achieved only when nobody gives a s**t either way. Making a production out of it to draw as much attention as possible and then saying "we just want to be treated the same as everyone else" is not the way to go.

Load More Replies...
crabcrab avatar
Hans
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Norway, the same parental benefits apply to same-sex couples that do to hetero couples. They even have adapted the language. Two women? You get mor and medmor, literally mom and with-mom, in the sense of "also". Same with far and medfar. We can learn a lot from the scandinavian countries in accepting what ought to be normal. And there is not a single reason to believe that children raised by same-sex couples are any less loved or have any disadvantages. (Says Hans, by the way, a father in a "traditional" wife-husband family.)

be13jansen avatar
Bettina Jansen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Always love people getting triggered about stuff that (in my opinion) shouldn't even get a second look, beyond that "oh, cool" or "oh, nice" reaction.

cathyroberts avatar
Wanda Queen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

AKA People on the internet throw a hissy fit every time anyone with a different look or lifestyle gets representation.

pusheenbuttercup avatar
pusheen buttercup
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Rather than focusing on the fact that they are lgbt, is it possible we could see them as "just a couple"? What if they were black, would it be ok to say "oh, that's not a normal couple, that's a black couple!" Minorities are less common, yes, but there's no reason to make such a fuss just because they're different. Do I believe personally, that everyone should accept each other? Well... let's start with tolerance. I'll do me, you do you. We don't tell the other how to live simply by existing and being happy.

shulderkat avatar
Niles
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the people offended by this are unbelievably feeble. if it hurts you to see a same sex couple in an ad, please get help.

markfuller avatar
Mark Fuller
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WTF?? Why on earth do people even care? The biggest compliment you can pay a gay person is not to give a toss. Because sexuality is no more exciting or interesting or weird or unique than the colour of our eyes or favourite movie. It's a dull, boring fact of life that gay people do indeed exist. Always have. Always will. And FYI for some odd reason, we don't object to or feel threatened by those 'bizarre' straight folk, lol! Well, we're still made to feel unsafe, especially in some backward countries. But we don't look down on those that aren't the same as us.

pusheenbuttercup avatar
pusheen buttercup
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know about this particular ad. But in terms of LGBT in advertising... Yes they are a minority, however there are some out there, and they may want to buy your product. Commercials often try and use people that are similar to the ones they're trying to reach. Some commercials use it for an agenda yes, (even offending the people they are trying to represent) but some do not, except for the agenda to make money, as usual. Since we are a very diverse country, I feel happy to see more variety in races, orientation, lifestyles, and ages in commercials in general, so long as they are represented in a good light. I think just because you see representation, doesn't necessarily indicate the presence of pressure to accept. Maybe tolerate, perhaps. But I don't think just seeing them is enough to go as far to say that they're pushing an agenda. I personally do not see simply "viewing a same sex couple" to be the same as "viewing a same sex couple AND you must BE or accept gays".

virgilblue avatar
Virgil Blue
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As long as people live with the ones they love I'm happy for them. There is to little love in the world as it is.

ethanliu avatar
Ethan Liu
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

10 out of 10 would like to see this in UAE and Saudi Arabia

suzi63 avatar
Suzi Gauthier
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So all the people challenging Volvo to post this commercial in the UAE think we should be like the UAE?

loucat197 avatar
mild anxiety! at the disco
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anyone else just go to articles like this for the ridiculous comment section, and scroll all the way down to the most-downvoted comments for entertainment

dirigobill avatar
Bill
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is no such thing as bad publicity. Volvo gets a spot rent free in some people's minds.

angele_therese avatar
Noez 🇸🇪
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is nothing but awesome! Love is love 🏳️‍🌈🇸🇪

tiddlesworth avatar
Bob 2.0
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel like a lot of these commenters are trying to make something out of nothing. It's just a progressive ad, chill out.

whomstthehecketh avatar
better version of alex
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Why does it assume only males can adopt?" B***h, why are you assuming that it is? They said, hey, let's do a same-sex couple to show inclusiveness and awareness, let's have it be men! They aren't assuming that, you're jumping to wild unbased conclusions with only your opinions as backup.

pennypacker3000 avatar
David Jeu
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think this ad is offending.. to the eye. Look at this awful clip art drawing.

owlpayson avatar
Owl Payson
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Okay I get the body positivity one because it was simply not healthy. But not the masculinity one or this. How does this trigger people

raroararoa avatar
RaroaRaroa
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Full Name, it was an ad about how they treat their staff, about people, not cars. Therefore, there are people in the ad.

Load More Replies...
thechopstick avatar
The Chopstick
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can we shut up about the gay people? Stop overreacting bois bc this lesbian octopus is out to murder you

rumani8888 avatar
Lana Belysheva
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think that the picture is lovely and kudos to Volvo for valiantly making yet another step out of dark ages.

me_139 avatar
Me!
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Was the Mark Grigg twitter commenter, being sarcastic and exaggerating or, does he really feel that way? My goodness, I'd be so curious to see the commercials he comes up with based off his ideals.

ella-kiser avatar
Bumble Boozle
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

love is love. It shouldn't make people angry to see these kinds of things on the internet or in advertising. but hey! what do I know! I'm just some young bisexual adult on the internet defending myself.

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Christina Sersif
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't think I have ever overanalyzed an ad before and it's kind of pathetic that people do to this extreme. Wow.

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me
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Um.... people complaining that companies are not inclusive and that heterosexual couples are the default, then complaining that they are just doing it for "a publicity stunt"

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Emily
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What these people have said is that LGBTQ couples are different and more fragile than any other relationship. True, you should be careful about some things, but this uproar is just silly.

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Augusto Matraga
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Besides the inclusiveness of these ads, which is perfect, VOLVO is also smart to realize that LGBT+ people, both single and in a serious relationship, usually are wealthier than their heterosexual counterparts, so it makes total sense to focus on this segment of society. I personally believe that LGBT people are much more numerous than the official statistics leads us to believe - especially the bisexual individuals: I know several married men and a few married women that I am totally sure are bisexual. And, as Yuval Harari points out quite clearly in his book "Sapiens", everything that is possible is therefore natural, so homosexuality and bisexuality are as natural and healthy as heterosexuality. So, Volvo is just acknowledging this fact.

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NWB
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have ZERO interest in it being inclusive...im more concerned about the s****y clipart like images they used!

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sharron lynn parsons
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a sweet world we live in, constantly issues to discuss with varied opinions, people don't be so darn negative, live and let live, this too shall blow over until the next one, nothing wrong with the ad, good decisions only !!!

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debrina blackmoon
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i see nothing wrong here and have nothing against gay, bi, etc. really

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S C
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Of course people are pissed off. Places don’t even offer mother’s paid leave yet they are willing to allow people who aren’t giving birth time off. That stupid.

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chi-wei shen
Community Member
4 years ago

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If they give same-sex parents the same benefits as other parents it's just the right thing to do. It's good for them and good for the parents. Do it and don't make a big deal out of it. Using this company policy as an ad just says "look, we are good, buy from us." It stinks and many people don't want Volvo to shove this down their throats.

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RaroaRaroa
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If too much is being "shoved down your throat" maybe it's time to shut your mouth. Really, how is a picture in an ad "shoving it down your throat"? No one is waving it in your face, yelling at you to like it. Just turn the page, or even take a minute to consider why it would even bother you.

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Eel Music
Community Member
4 years ago

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God clearly speaks against this in the bible. If you throw out the bible, you also bet against Jesus. It's risky to mess with the big guy.

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pusheen buttercup
Community Member
4 years ago (edited)

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I happen to be a combination of many different minorities. I'm a bisexual, mixed race, (Caucasian, Vietnamese, Cherokee) autistic woman in her middle twenties. Would I be offended if no one represented "me", in a commercial? No... would it make me happy if they somehow did? Yes, so long as they did it in a good light and didn't talk down to me, or others like me. What I wouldn't give for commercials to be more eloquent and intelligent. At the very least, somewhat respectful! I feel this one did an "ok" job, but they did sort of lump all the minorities together instead of showing them as "mixed in" with heterosexual couples as well.

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xiaomiao
Community Member
4 years ago

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I applaud this BUT it is for public "we're awesome" points, they wondered if they could provide the same benefits to all couples? It is their company they can do whatever they want over the legal minimums, we should stop patting ourselves on the back for doing what is right. Better recognition would be to have an outside source, like a media outlet run a piece on it, that way it doesn't seem so self-serving, it still is, if generated in house, but it looks better.

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pusheen buttercup
Community Member
4 years ago

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One thing I felt the commercial should have added is a depiction of a straight couple too. It should have put all kinds of people together, not just the minorities. Less "them vs. us" mentality. We should all stand up for ourselves, yes, but we don't need to do it by dividing people. I understand it would be impossible to pack every different sort of group into one commercial, but still. Simultaneously I would love to see more cars made comfortable for people who are overweight. Being from america we have a very high obesity rate, and even the UK has them too obviously. People of different orientations and genders or races don't "necessarily" need to drive different types of cars, but I know my father personally has never felt comfortable, because of his tall height, and also weight. I haven't been very comfortable because of my height as well. (Almost under five feet here) If you want to make cars for people, these needs have gone unresolved for a long while.

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Suzi Gauthier
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are literally millions of ads with straight couples. Is it just too much to bear to have a gay couple?

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Natasha Forchione
Community Member
4 years ago

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I used to own a Volvo and was the worst car I have ever owned!! I bought the car new and started having problems about a month after I bought it and it was never truly fixed. They had the worst customer service out of any dealers. I sent videos and wrote letters always saying it would be fixed and never was. Spent endless hours on the phone and at their dealerships and my car always had issues, when one issue was fixed another one start happening. I should have sued them!

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Maya
Community Member
4 years ago

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the world is really becoming very weird stop making it normal to have same sex life partner (couples)

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