Vagina Fruit Roll-Ups will punch you in the face

[clevermanka]

This is a great essay: Why it's not cool to tell little girls that ponytail-pulling is a method of flirtation.

This tee shirt? Tempting. Only available for another 24 hours. I wear a women's size medium if anyone's feeling generous.

This video is, tragically, not a parody.

Comments

[saffronhare.livejournal.com]

That essay is the BEST thing I've read all week -- thank you. Cheering over here, and reposting like crazy. I think I'm going to preserve that mood for a bit and NOT watch that video just yet. :)

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Yay! Glad to hear it boosted your mood. Savor that, yes. Watch that video this weekend or something. With booze.

[chronovore.livejournal.com]

I lasted 41 seconds.

I didn't previously know that Giant Vagina Costumes played a central role in Planned Parenthood's community activities.

Then again, AmericanLifeLeague can be accused of promoting sodomy, since they feature a Purple-Shirted Asshole prominently in the video.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

AmericanLifeLeague can be accused of promoting sodomy, since they feature a Purple-Shirted Asshole prominently in the video.

You win the internets. Again.

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Hahahaha! I wanted to slap the video narrator so hard. To show him I LOVE HIM, of course.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

+100 for comment and perfect icon

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

There is nothing I can say past what ^^ he said about that video.

I love that essay. Who amongst us gals hasn't heard that sort of shit?
Furthermore, teaching little boys appropriate affectionate behavior? yes, please. Pinching and butt-smacking is not cool.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

teaching little boys appropriate affectionate behavior? yes, please.

I'd like to see the same classes for little girls, too.

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

Classes? Well, I guess we have to start somewhere.
I'm talking about parenting.
Enough with the "boys will be boys/they don't know how to show affection" bullshit, which is
what I've encountered as the prevalent attitude in families from my generation and back.

[stuology.livejournal.com]

This is the most fabulous book I've read on raising boys, given to me from a friend after some discussions on issues I was having with Jay. Good recommendation for anybody who complains about "boys being boys."

http://www.amazon.com/Raising-Cain-Protecting-Emotional-Life/dp/0345434854/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1329488778&sr=8-1

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

*adding "emotional literacy" to the interests lists on my profile*

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I'm going to have a read at that, even though I'll never raise a boy myself. I raferred to Reviving Ophelia many times when my partner's daughter was in my household.

[annamatic.livejournal.com]

I love that essay. The whole "where the hell do girls and women learn to stay in abusive relationships but for this sort of early training?" things... wow. Yep.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Gives a different twist on "I learned it from you, okay? I learned it from you!"

[fairgoldberry.livejournal.com]

That's a fabulous essay (half the women in my online sphere have posted it in the last couple of days).

I do think we should tell kids that 'hitting you or pinching you because I like you' is a form of flirtation, because it is. Ten-year-old kids don't have a lot in the toolbox for getting the attention of other ten-year-olds. It's a great idea to tell a little girl (or a little boy) "Yes, he pulls your hair because he likes you. However, that's a really bad way to let someone know you like them, isn't it? Wouldn't it be a lot smarter for him to say nice things to you instead? Are there boys you like who are nice to you? Maybe you should spend more time with them, and not waste your time on boys who can't figure out how to be nice."

I'm a big fan of giving kids accurate information, and the accurate information *is* "He likes you, and he doesn't know how to show it, so he's mean. Don't reward the mean with your attention, and he'll have to learn other skills." I feel like my hypothetical children would be better-armed against the inevitable teacher who says "he does it because he likes you," if they can say, "Maybe, but I don't like people who are mean to me, so he should try something else," instead of "Really? Mom says it's because he's a jackhole. I wonder if she's wrong..."

(Yes, my hypothetical children will probably repeat words like 'jackhole' and 'asshat' in decent company...)

Love,
Rowan

PS, I have a feeling I should wait until I'm not at a work computer to watch the second link...

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

The tee shirt is entirely safe for work!

[saffronhare.livejournal.com]

That's a really good point. I'd re-posted the essay over on my own LJ. Would it be all right with you if I quoted this point of yours as an addendum?

[http://users.livejournal.com/_luaineach/]

As a parent myself (of a 12-year-old boy), I agree with you. As far as I am concerned the accurate information to give *is*, like you said, he does that because he likes you but you in no way have to accept that sort of expression of affection.

EDITING TO ADD: Assuming, of course, that it can be determined that there is indeed liking involved and the kid isn't just an asshole (because there ARE some of those at 10, as well). In my experience, though, it's pretty transparent and the 'pony tail pulling' is not a standalone expression, there's other stuff going on as well.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Assuming, of course, that it can be determined that there is indeed liking involved and the kid isn't just an asshole

HA! For real.

That's one messed up video

[geekmom.livejournal.com]

I actually have that book - It's Perfectly Normal. I bought it for my ten year old, and it's the best damned sex ed book I've found. I guess I should have just told her that her body changes are icky and someday her husband will explain how babies are made.

Re: That's one messed up video

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Well goodness knows you wouldn't want her masturbating.

Re: That's one messed up video

[geekmom.livejournal.com]

If she never reads a book that mentions it, she'll never think of the idea on her own.

Re: That's one messed up video

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Now YOU'RE perpetrating SEX at teh chillens! FIRE AND DAMNATION!

Yeah, some of that stuff is dumb (sex-organ costumes? really?), but if kids can't get this info in school, these anti-everything groups should STFU about Planned Parenthood stepping in where no one else does.

Re: That's one messed up video

[geekmom.livejournal.com]

Yes. I've clearly ruined her life forever with cartoon pictures and frank discussion. Planned Parenthood recommends it, so it must be all about sin.

You know, I'm not sure if they even teach sex ed at school these days. Surely they do something, but I've never had a note, and she's never mentioned it. I'm thankful that they have books like this, because it covers a lot of ground, and it lets her know she can talk to me.

Now I'm off to finish sewing my giant vagina costume.

[pointoforigin.livejournal.com]

LOL--I saw this video and I'm afraid my major takeaway was that now I really, really want one of those penis cupcakes. They should have included recipes.

I remember the time boys threw rocks at me and my best friend and called us dirty Jews--they thought that since I hung out with her all the time I must be Jewish too. My father said it was because they liked me. Even at the time, I thought there was probably something wrong with this explanation.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

boys threw rocks at me and my best friend and called us dirty Jews...My father said it was because they liked me.

o_O

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Yeah, they shouldn't have showed us all that fun stuff, because now everyone will want it!

Your dad: Whoah.

[alryssa.livejournal.com]

I love that first essay. Not so much the first comments that pull the tone argument on the author. Seriously? Really? GIVE ME A FUCKING BREAK.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

The only place I read comments these days is LJ. =/

[alryssa.livejournal.com]

*sigh* I usually don't these days (and even LJ gives me fits lately, I swear). But RARGH.

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

I had to stop after a few comments. I don't know why I read any comments in places like that.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Um. You're a closet masochist?

[alryssa.livejournal.com]

My favourite tone argument (and by 'favourite' I mean 'most rage-inducing') is when someone declares that the author's argument has lost all credibility because golly, they used a bad word or two. I have one person on my friendslist who's used that on me and it makes me want to throttle her - it's like being told, like we always are (and women especially), that it's wrong to be angry and riled up about something that's fundamentally wrong and causes so much damage to other women (or insert minority group of choice). Fuck that. If someone steps on my foot with a spike heel, I'd slap the someone who'd basically demand that I ask them nicely and calmly to get the fuck off it.

[stuology.livejournal.com]

That essay is awesome!

It took me awhile to find the video. Unfortunately I found it, and in that search I also found other Fox news videos that made me sad/angry. I can't believe that people actually listen to these people talk.

And the 2nd annual paintball tournament was the Best One. I mean, Hans Solo Abed! And "He's not that good looking" Josh Holloway. The t-shirt is tempting.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Sucks that they took the video down. Asshats.

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

I just did a search in YouTube (quotes around the title) and found a new one posted a few hours ago!

Can't wait to see the second tourney!