04 February 2003

Idiots Never Learn

Fark links to a Yahoo! news article containing the following passage:

Judith Levine, author of Harmful to Minors: The Perils of Protecting Children from Sex, said she, too, questioned using popular culture to convey messages.

“Did Shakespeare ever talk about safe sex? Do comic books?” Levine asked.”

Wow man. It upsets me (but does not surprise) that uptight people actually listen to people like Ms. Levine. Let’s assume that Yahoo! isn’t taking her quote way out of context and that this person really did say the above. Come on! I’ve read my share of Shakespeare, and I’m pretty sure that he was all about condom use and birth control. I’m also sure that he was an upstanding citizen whose work has become timeless because of his responsiblie commentary on society and morals. shakes head I’m also sure that Judith Levine is up on the world of comic books.

But seriously, how can she be opposed to using popular culture as a vehicle for social discussion? Obviously we’d like for all parents to set good examples for their kids, monitor their activities, and make sure that they’re knowledgable about important issues, but that hasn’t happened but like a dozen times, ever, in the history of parenting. So she’s rather Dawson’s Creek not remind kids to use condoms?

Oh I give up.