When purchasing incontinence supplies, I am often struck by the "briefs" label used by virtually every brand, retailer, and online store. For myself, I never think of the products as briefs. They are clearly adult-sized diapers, and a large majority of incontinence supprt group/forum contributors refer to them as diapers.
So why the "briefs" label? I assume it is to reduce the stigma for product users, as if store clerks and other shoppers won't realize what they are. For me, I think this may actually increase stigma, since it implies that adult diapers are too horrible to acknowledge. Maybe a Wal-Mart shelf with an adult diapers label would make it clearer that incontinence is not all that unusual.
Just my two cents... What do you think?

Hi'i think your absolutely right on,they are adult diapers'no ifs,buts,about it,briefs?Tighty whiteys are briefs,my diapers don't look like briefs.
Craig,
Get point you make about adult "diapers" vs. "briefs" and the effect this terminology might have on how we think about incontinence. See:
Stigma and Incontinence
http://www.healthcentral.com/incontinence/c/45/1653/stigma/
Thanks for another great post. Keep writing.
Best,
Maria