Women are sharing exactly where they like it: on the desk, on the couch, on the floor.
Despite what it may sound like, the “it” in question is actually a purse.
People perusing Facebook over the past few days may have noticed these statuses written by their female friends, the point of which was to increase discussion about breast cancer. Women were sent private messages with instructions to write “I like it” in front of a place they would put their purse or handbag after they got home.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and these messages have been intended to increase awareness about the disease in a secretive way, as men are not let in on the joke and are not supposed to know the meaning.
Some students said they thought the idea was fun and helped bring cancer to the forefront of people’s minds as well as encourage discussion about the topic in a nonintimidating way. However, others felt the campaign was useless because it does not seek to fund-raise.
Peggy Modirshahla, a third-year physiological science student, said she received the private message and saw about six statuses like those on her Facebook.
However, Modirshahla said she does not feel the campaign is in any way effective.
“It’s just confusing to guys, and it feels like more of a girl power thing,” she said. “Plus, purses have nothing to do with breasts. It’s cool that people are trying to help, but this isn’t the right way to do it.”
Modirshahla added that the obvious references to sex are inappropriate for such a serious topic. Furthermore, guys who are not let in on the meaning end up posting statuses of their own but in a mocking way.
“The point of awareness is to help with early detection,” she said. “There is no educational value to this campaign. Even if everyone knows that breast cancer exists, where does that take it?”
Matthew Bedford, a first-year undeclared student, said he had no idea that the statuses were about cancer and instead thought it was some sort of sex joke circulating on Facebook.
“I think the part about leaving guys out is pretty dumb,” Bedford said. “It’s not like guys don’t know people with breast cancer or can’t help support awareness.”
He added that he has participated in more traditional events to support breast cancer research in the past, such as athletic events, and that the most effective way to confront breast cancer is to just talk directly about it, instead of dancing around the issue.
Noah Rosen, a second-year undeclared student, said he was offended because the campaign implied that the only way to get a guy’s attention is through sexual innuendos.
Both Rosen and Bedford advocate finding alternative ways to bring breast cancer into the public spotlight.
“Pro athletes wear pink to support cancer research, and that’s effective,” Rosen said. “Ribbons and wristbands that people wear also work.”
The purse campaign is similar to one started in January where women were supposed to write the color of the bra they were wearing as their status.
During that campaign, a spokeswoman for Susan G. Komen for the Cure said its site experienced slightly more visitors.
The sources of both campaigns remain unknown.