Have you been following the controversy over the Candie's Foundation's Abstinence-theme T-shirt campaign? The Foundation, which works to prevent teen pregnancy, partnered with Seventeen magazine for a contest to come up with a new slogan. The winner, Sarina Adams, came up with this latest "Be Sexy" slogan.
The Foundation aims to "educate on the consequences of teen pregnancy [and challenge] America's youth to make healthy decisions about sex," according to a PR rep.
I applaud this T-shirt slogan 110 percent. Critics of the campaign say the Tee is sending teens mixed messages by encouraging them to be sexy, yet at the same time, refrain from having sex.
See, this is exactly what I have a problem with: The inherent intertwining of the terms sexy and sex. You apparently can't have one without the other, society beats into our heads. Since when does being a virgin mean you can't be sexy? The two, as I see it, aren't mutual exclusive. What ever happened to the idea that leaving some mystery and something to the imagination can be incredibly sexy? I'm a virgin, but you know what? That doesn't stop me from feeling like I'm sexy.
Oh, and don't even get me going on the whole idea that sexy can only apply to all things physical. Guess what? It doesn't. Haven't you ever met anyone (besides me, of course) whose personality was just the sexiest thing ever?
Something as simple as a feeling can be sexy - the way a guy makes you feel (not physically, people!), a guy who writes a song for you (I'm still waiting for that one, guys...hint, hint). For example, David of The Rest Is Still Unwritten recently told me he thought it was cute and hilarious when I said that guys should find it very hot that I've been featured in countless medical journals. I know he didn't mean sexy, but c'mon, even that is sexy, right?
Heck, I've found of late that even anticipation can be an extremely sexy thing thanks to a certain new guy, though I'm keeping that on the down-low for right now...
I don't know about you, but I'm scared of a society that chooses to define sexy in such narrow-minded terms. Good for Candie's to be a company to think outside the box for once. They have a unique opportunity here to show the world - and especially teens - that sexy isn't just about how you look, what you're wearing or what you're doing with who. There's so much more to you, and a guy who truly loves you will applaud and respect that.
And lest we not forget part of my slogan: SMART IS THE NEW SEXY.
Bottom line: Don't be surprised if you someday spot me sporting this exact shirt. I'll flaunt it proudly. The shirt, that is...
On a side note, I've always loved these other slogans:
The Foundation aims to "educate on the consequences of teen pregnancy [and challenge] America's youth to make healthy decisions about sex," according to a PR rep.
I applaud this T-shirt slogan 110 percent. Critics of the campaign say the Tee is sending teens mixed messages by encouraging them to be sexy, yet at the same time, refrain from having sex.
See, this is exactly what I have a problem with: The inherent intertwining of the terms sexy and sex. You apparently can't have one without the other, society beats into our heads. Since when does being a virgin mean you can't be sexy? The two, as I see it, aren't mutual exclusive. What ever happened to the idea that leaving some mystery and something to the imagination can be incredibly sexy? I'm a virgin, but you know what? That doesn't stop me from feeling like I'm sexy.
Oh, and don't even get me going on the whole idea that sexy can only apply to all things physical. Guess what? It doesn't. Haven't you ever met anyone (besides me, of course) whose personality was just the sexiest thing ever?
Something as simple as a feeling can be sexy - the way a guy makes you feel (not physically, people!), a guy who writes a song for you (I'm still waiting for that one, guys...hint, hint). For example, David of The Rest Is Still Unwritten recently told me he thought it was cute and hilarious when I said that guys should find it very hot that I've been featured in countless medical journals. I know he didn't mean sexy, but c'mon, even that is sexy, right?
Heck, I've found of late that even anticipation can be an extremely sexy thing thanks to a certain new guy, though I'm keeping that on the down-low for right now...
I don't know about you, but I'm scared of a society that chooses to define sexy in such narrow-minded terms. Good for Candie's to be a company to think outside the box for once. They have a unique opportunity here to show the world - and especially teens - that sexy isn't just about how you look, what you're wearing or what you're doing with who. There's so much more to you, and a guy who truly loves you will applaud and respect that.
And lest we not forget part of my slogan: SMART IS THE NEW SEXY.
Bottom line: Don't be surprised if you someday spot me sporting this exact shirt. I'll flaunt it proudly. The shirt, that is...
On a side note, I've always loved these other slogans:
"Be Sexy: It Doesn't Mean You Have to Have Sex"
"Be Smart: You Are Too Young to Start."
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