March 6, 2007
-
Purity Balls
What do you think of when you hear that term? Before today I would have thought it to be some new invention for pets, similar to “neuticals” (for the male dog who misses his, well, you know, after he’s been neutered). I love this quote from their website:
Neuticles allow your pet to retain his natural look, self esteem and aid in the trauma associated with neutering.
With Neuticles – It’s like nothing ever changed!
But in actuality, “Purity Balls” are even scarier. As reported by ABC News today, Purity Balls are a fast growing phenomenon in conservative Christian communities. They involve ceremonies, with all the accoutrements of a wedding (white cake and all), where the “groom” is actually the girl’s father. Girls as young as 12 sign commitments with their fathers, that they will not engage in sex before marriage.
Now, I’m all for abstinence when it’s the right choice for a person or family, but I’m also a realist. Girls that young cannot possibly understand the ramifications of what these “commitments” entail. Case in point: ABC News actually interviewed a 12 year old who swore she would not even kiss a boy until after she was married.
OK, am I the only person who thinks this is just creepy, not to mention utterly ridiculous? I know I live in the moral wasteland of Hollywood, but seriously don’t the puritanical fundamentalists know what’s really going on here? Look at any teenage girl’s myspace or Facebook profile. (OK, now I’m the one who sounds a little creepy LOL, but a few of my cousins actually have myspace pages, and I’ve been known to look at their “friends” profiles, just to see what they are being exposed to.
) By the way, studies have shown that nearly 90% of the girls who have participated in these absurd rituals, actually break their commitments. I’d love to see Hollywood make a movie about that! Of course, the family dog would have to be neutered
Update: Tyson just sent me this: http://www.twoheadedblog.com/?p=587 Apparently the Glamour article states that this is done with girls as young as FOUR!Does Oprah know about this??? I smell a “very special” Oprah
“Women as PROPERTY???”“What Am I, A Hymen With Legs?” That’s got to win the award for blog title of the year
By the way, this is the second time this week I’ve written about something from ABC News. Thanks to Bob Woodruff’s exposing the abhorrent treatment of Iraq war veterans with traumatic brain injuries, and the recent unfortunate news about the Walter Reed Medical Center, I believe the tide is starting to turn with the media’s handling of this war. For the past 6 years, Bush and Cheney have made the mainstream media cower before them. Bob Woodruff’s injury, which no one can refute (not even the Dark Lord himself), may end up saving lives because people are moved to action by his heroic story and comeback. Kudos to ABC News.
ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
“You berate your co-workers in British accent, but you’re from Cincinnati.” — One of David Letterman’s “Top 10 Signs You’re Obsessed with American Idol.”
Comments (5)
I bet you love the new stand Spirit airlines is taking regarding charges for checked baggage ;) Without being able to carry on basic toiletries, it’s impossible to travel without checked baggage!
I’m in Indiana now. Elk Grove Village and Schaumburg were great places, but I disliked the traffic. I loved working in the small company atmosphere. Now that we are part of a large corporation, everything seems impersonal. Plus, I’ve noticed a lot of incompetence and the lack of seeing problems through. No one wants to take on responsibilty, so it gets passed around.
DEAR GOD NO!
That’s kind of funny and disturbing at the same time. I feel maybe focusing on guys rather than girls would probably be more effective though.
@KidGohan - Are you being facetious? You can’t honestly think focusing on guy’s abstinence would yield better results that on girls do you? Please explain!! I’d love to know your thoughts on this. Thanks! Happy Valentine’s Day.