Editor’s Note: I thought I’d take a closer look at my blog’s taglines this week. Check back tomorrow and Thursday as I explore the other two phrases. Enjoy!
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:
“Be Sexy: It Doesn’t Mean You Have to Have Sex”
“Be Smart: You Are Too Young to Start.”
xoxo,
Summer Pleasures: Flowing Dresses.
Wednesday Giveaway!
MEMO TO MEN: On the power of the guitar as a wing man
Katie Frank says
You're totally right. Why should I be ashamed or anyone else my age or older if we haven't had any action yet.
My friends are saying that I'm too selective. But why shouldn't I be. Most of the girls and boys in my age have the fear of being alone or not ot fit in. But I'm not afraid.
I just don't want to be with the first guy I ran in to. I deserve better.
Everyone of us deserves to have someone special.
It's just that some of us have to wait a little longer for him.
<3
hopeful_author says
i've never understood young women who didn't care to save that experience and share it with someone special at the absolutely perfect moment.
and, like you said, what about being mysterious?
being a virgin, totally undiscovered by anyone, is the ultimate in mysterious! and mysterious is sexy.
Shelby says
This campaign is beyond amazing. I'm actually going to buy one of these shirts next time I get paid. I believe that being sexy has absolutely nothing to do with sex. Everyone is sexy in their own way and I think that those who exploit themselves just to be sexy are making a bad decision. Virginity is a precious thing and I think media these days makes it seem like its no big deal. Even though there's always that constant pressure, I want to wait. And so should everyone else.
Recessionista Genie says
I like this ad campaign, too! I think our culture has a problem with seeing things in simplistic black and white terms and making everything into a "slippery slope" from Ultimate Good to Ultimate Evil.
I remember an interview with Dutch teens I saw on TV a few years ago. They have more sexual content in their media and are generally more liberal, yet their rates of teen pregnancy and STDs are far lower than ours. Why? One teenage girl answered, "There are lots of ways to have fun and be sexy without going ALL the way." Duh.
I think that in our culture, sometimes girls feel like if they made out with their boyfriend or got to whatever "base," it's just a step toward the inevitable, the Ultimate Forbidden Deed. I think some girls feel like our whole culture is daring them to do it! Because it's SUCH a BIG DEAL, OMG!
But if we felt more laid back about sexiness and sex, and recognized that our young people are not too dumb for nuance (you can be sexy/sensual/a sexual being without expressing it in a specific physical way), it would take the pressure off–the pressure to have sex (because it's no biggie) AND the guilt and shame associated it (because it's no biggie).
Maybe then we could focus on honoring and protecting our bodies and hearts, not what our physical sexual status is.
Melissa Blake says
I always love your comments, Recessionista! xoxo
a moment i treasure says
Amen sister! Being sexy is not only about how you feel, but how you act. When the RIGHT guy comes along, he will respect you for you!
pve design says
My twin sons are 16 and they always tell me how smart is the new sexy. Yeh for smart and mysterious and getting to know one another!
pve
Rebecca says
What a fabulous campaign!
I love it, think it is ingenious and i only wish i had a child to use it on! (i have nieces though, so that is good).
I only wish when i was a teen we had something as sassy to live by. While i did wait for a very long time and was the class 'prude', i certainly wasn't ashamed of it. Too bad i didn't have this to wear!
jae says
very well written!
Drama Queen #1 says
I simply can't get enough of this! Candie's rocks. Period.
-DQ#1