I know this isn't breaking news, but VH1 is coming out with a "Behind The Music" style special on virginity. Does anyone remember when VH1 was supposed to be "adult" version of MTV? Now it's a blend of the aforementioned MTV, as well as E! - which means it's one of my favorite cable stations. Anyway, the disturbing purity/abstinence trend is continuing - this time with it's very own "made for television" special! Details, via VH1:
[There's a trendy pop culture movement that's burst into the
mainstream to take a stand against our hyper-sexed society. It's born out of
traditional values and sealed with promise rings, abstinence clubs and purity
balls. It stars the likes of Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers, who've made
headlines with their public pronouncements of sexual purity. It's a hip new
calling card: virginity. VH1 NEWS PRESENTS: THE NEW VIRGINITY chronicles this
recent phenomenon. The special takes us back to classic virginal examples such
as Brooke Shields, and Tori Spelling's "Donna Martin" character on
Beverly Hills 90210. Then it explores the roots of our current obsession with
chastity--the stars who've made their virginity a major part of their public
persona. In a world where tweens grow up too fast, a public declaration of
chastity until marriage is a statement against the fast and furious life that
many young stars succumb to, particularly those in the entertainment industry.
But, as the show will point out, virginity doesn't stop celebs from looking and
acting provocatively--playing both sides with impressive marketing results. The
stars aren't the only ones caught up in virgin-mania. At Purity Balls across
America, dads and daughters are living an abstinence fairy tale. And then
there's 22-year-old college student Natalie Dylan, who's auctioning off her
virginity on the internet -- for a multi-million dollar payday! VH1 goes inside
pop culture's virgin obsession in THE NEW VIRGINITY.]
Does anyone else appreciate the irony in the naming of a "Purity Ball"? I think this abstinence trend is really dangerous. I have no objection to teens being counseled to wait on having sex for the purpose of finding a respectful, loving partner. But waiting, period (so to speak)? That is actually an irresponsible decision on the part of the parent. Sex between teens happens - a lot. You can either allow your teenagers to go into that portion of their lives armed with information to make sound choices - or you can pretend your kid is a virgin and possibly enjoy a teen pregnancy. See Bristol Palin. Miley Cyrus can take her hypocrisy and shove it.
Leave a comment