Mad Men, the TV series about the NYC advertising world of the 1960s, has been touted as one of TV's most successful series of the last few years. The show's attention to details is laudable, from the development of characters, to the clothing and styling, to it's handling of some of the issues of the day.
The world depicted in the show is that of the privileged and homogenous majority population of the period. One issue of note is that while that group is white, the split that existed between Christians and Jews at the time is brought up in numerous interactions. Another issue of note, sexism, is a constant thread for the show. All Mad Men's women are victims of it, and I found the development of Peggy, the new secretary who quickly gains a promotion as she rises in stature in the company due to her intelligence and ability. Becoming pregnant by a member of the executive team the night before his wedding had her gain some weight. We watch her eating pastries and piling on the pounds, and then discover that she is with child the day that she delivers. They lost me a bit there, but I guess it is possible to be slim, have unprotected sex, get pregnant, gain a rack of weight, and not know that you are pregnant, it happens. She seems to handles her weight gain well, presumably because she finds her intellectual space to be of more value to her than her physical space. She basically gets lost in her work - does that sound like anyone you know? I think she abandons the baby though, which is a less palatable, and an issue for season two and beyond.
So why am I posting about this? I am on alert for popular culture opportunities to discuss three public health issues - Sugar, Sex, and Stress, and Mad Men as it happens is perfect. Besides being impressed by the range of social issues that the show deals with, I find it notable that this show about the advertising industry is in itself and advertisement for "1960's NYC for some", and a broader ad for " the public's health in America" at that time. Smoking - everyone does it in the show; sex - everyone's having it and I neither saw nor heard mention of a condom or sexually transmitted disease; stress - manifested by mental health issues, more sex, and a heart-attack; and alcohol use, all get some face-time on the show.
For all the sex in season one, beyond the aforementioned pregnancy and some marital discord, no one gets a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Women are shown going to the doctor and get birth control, but no one seems to develop an itch, rash, or anything else STD-like. I realize that that is not very savory, and I am sure that Don Draper with the clap would be a real downer for some of the show's fans, but that was sex in the 60's which was a prosperous period for purulent discharges related to STDs. It might get the attention of some of Mad Men's fans, make it's way into the places where the show is discussed, and bring the topic to a space in which we are more comfortable. An indirect public health dialogue-starter kit of sorts. Nothing to be mad about at all.
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