In The Powder Room

May 25

What would you have done?

Comments (12) by Toni May 25, 2011 - 6:01 AM

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I happened across this web site last week and it made me laugh. It's basically selling "conversation underwear" designed to promote abstinence in young teenage girls, by asking them "What Would Your Mother Do?"  (Isn't it almost too late if they're down to their smalls anyway?)

But seriously, let's see, if these girls are in their teens, it means their mothers are probably in their 40's and were teenagers in the 70's and 80's. Hmmm - what would they have done? Would they really have been "good" role models? Many such mothers I know are terrified that their daughters will go the same way as they did. (I'm not including myself you understand, just in case mine has Googled me again.) 

I'm not laughing at the attempt to get teen girls to abstain, although I don't think the campaign works that well. After all, I'm in the position of having an 18 year about to go off to college, and all I keep telling her is "Don't get pregnant." (I know there are all sorts of other things I could be warning her against, but none that would affect her life so drastically whatever she decided to do.)

No, I'm wetting myself at the thought of most of my girlfriends being held up as role models and paragons of virtue. Somehow I don't think WWYMD's marketing department has done its homework on this one.

What about you?  Should your daughter follow in your exemplary youthful footsteps?  Or should you be buying her a chastity belt?!

by Toni May 25, 2011 - 6:01 AM

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    When I'm 64

    by Janie Emaus May 02, 2012 - 6:03 AM
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    I don't do bathing suits

    by Lerner April 11, 2012 - 6:02 AM
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    For god's sake, it's just an opinion!

    by Jeni Harvey March 16, 2012 - 6:01 AM
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    Photoshop your children

    by LoriD November 09, 2011 - 7:02 AM

Comments (12)

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  Report Thu Jun 9, 2011 - 4:01 am

  by  geekymummy

  You know I hope my daughter goes off to college and has lots of sex with some nice men (or women). Its a time to figure yourself out, sexually. Not getting pregnant is great advice. Of course my daughter is only 5 right now, so I may change my mind.

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  Report Sat May 28, 2011 - 3:17 pm

  by  Jean James

  Maybe they could say, "Got Condom?" or "Enter at your own risk" or "STD on board" Nothing says buzz kill like 'I have gonorrhea.' Let's face it abstinence doesn't start at the underwear level now does it?

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  Report Fri May 27, 2011 - 8:42 am

  by  HerMelness Speaks

  Given the supposed state of education today, the kids might not be able to read the messages anyways! Also, if the situation is already down to the knickers stage, no-one is there to be doing any reading or they?d be in the library. Just saying. :O

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  Report Thu May 26, 2011 - 6:09 pm

  by  Haralee

  Their other sayings, "dream on" or "zip it", yikes it is so wrong on so many levels!

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  Report Wed May 25, 2011 - 5:04 pm

  by  slappyintheface

  I am 38, is that too old to get the ones that say "Not Tonight" on them? .... I am sure that it would be cheaper than renting a billboard that my husband sees on his way home from work.

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• 1 reply, Last reply by Toni on Thu May 26, 2011 at 1:59 pm
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  Report Thu May 26, 2011 - 1:59 pm

  by  Toni

  @slappyintheface: Oooh, what a great idea.

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  Report Thu May 26, 2011 - 12:54 pm

  by  Diney

  Just plain daft - what young fella who gets as far the knicker stage is going to (a) be able to see straight enough to read (b) take it seriously( if he can read it )and (c) ever take the poor girl seriously after seeing these ridiculous undies. i certainly would NOT wish my daughter to follow me as a role model (a teenager in the 60's!) so I guess super glue on the vagina should do it for a few years!

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  Report Thu May 26, 2011 - 10:46 am

  by  Mel

  This is a mad idea isn't it?! It sounds suspiciously religious to me...does it come with a chastity ring? And which hormone-crazed jock is going to see these, sit back and say, 'you know what, you're right. Let's go for a milkshake instead.' Although as slappyintheface says, I wonder if they'll discover a middle-aged market for these panties (with tummy control)?

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  Report Thu May 26, 2011 - 9:44 am

  by  Jennifer Howze

  In terms of school I was a pretty good teen role model. But that's because a lot of the other stuff I was doing wasn't out in the open. There's something quite weird about promoting abstinence via knickers - which basic highlight the titillating nature of some underwear. Is the idea that you can still feel attractive without having sex? You would imagine mums who want their daughters to practice abstinence are buying them white cotton knickers that remind them of when she was a little girl...

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  Report Wed May 25, 2011 - 4:36 pm

  by  Christine Powless

  We all know that chastity is a state of mind/ in mind so the label is mislocated . Stopping things should occur well before than the moment when it can be read by someone else . The label is clearly located to be read by someone standing directly in front wanting access . These undies would be far better worn on the head methinks. A little forethought .

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  Report Wed May 25, 2011 - 1:07 pm

  by  Peabee

  This has fail written all over it - who would buy this? Presumably mothers for their daughters, who won't wear it. So not only will they not be chaste, they'll be knickerless!

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  Report Wed May 25, 2011 - 6:54 am

  by  Janie Emaus

  Whatever we do as mothers, I'm pretty sure this line of underwear isn't going to keep them chaste, no matter what line is written on that pretty pink fabric.

  Reply Delete