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Wednesday, March 9, 2005
The Thong Remains the Shame
 The "no guilt" logo at left, with its satanic upside-down cross, is from an article of clothing made by Play Safe Intimates.
The article of clothing is a thong. The logo goes in the front. The rear of the thong—what there is of it, anyway—boasts a pocket that holds a condom.
Company founder Caren Martineau tells San Diego State University's Daily Aztec that she designed the condom thong with her two preteen daughters in mind. (It's no wonder that Play Safe's Web site lists Planned Parenthood and its Alan Guttmacher Institute as "resources.")
According to the article, Martineau's girls were "just beginning to explore the world of entertainment, media and fashion, she said. Martineau found the media had often presented images of very provocative and even aggressive women, but provided no information about safe sex."
"I have no personal attitude toward right or wrong fashion," Martineau said. "I'm just trying to present both sides of the story. There is a lack on the part of the media to present the full story."
As a response, she came up with the idea as a way for teens to be discreet, yet strong in their statements of practicing safe sex. Can you imagine the line of thinking behind that? "My kids aren't learning about condoms through the media. What can I do? I know! I'll make my girls a thong! With a condom in the pocket! Then they can go out on the town and fornicate their pubescent brains out for all I care. Because they'll be safe!"
After all, the dutiful mom admits she has "no personal attitude towards right or wrong fashion." Let her girls advertise their availability with a condom sticking out above the back of their low-slung jeans. She doesn't care what they do when they're out on the town—as long as they don't bring HIV home to dinner.
Play Safe's motto says it all: "By combining sexy fashion with social responsibility, our mission is to influence, educate and transform the perceptions of our young, hip and most vulnerable citizens."
Amazing. They admit children are the "most vulnerable citizens"—and then proceed to profit from that vulnerability. Don't ever say the porno left doesn't milk capitalism for all it's worth.
More drivel from Play Safe's Web site: "In these times, with the prevalence of STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) and AIDS, anything that allows intimacy to be spontaneous, protected and fashionable is a must-have item. A fashion accessory like this makes perfect sense, because we all know passions cool when fumbling through a wallet, purse or drawer."
In other words, the condom in the thong isn't just necessary for "safety." It's necessary because if you don't have a condom ready, you might—gasp!—not have sex. Accidental abstinence! Perish the thought! I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked...and unable to hook up!
What do teens think of this tacky and cynical item? Give Aztec reporter Megan Wills credit for one thing; two out of the three teens she quotes are repulsed:English senior Kristin Talbert said the thongs are tacky and she would not wear one.
"You should know when you're gonna need one, so you shouldn't have to carry one around in your underwear," Talbert said.
English and political science senior Kate Peterson feels the same way.
"It says easy access," she said. "It gives the impression that you're a slut."
Peterson said she would not wear one and if she saw a girl at a party with a condom sticking out of her pants, she would be completely disgusted. There's a message there, one that C.S. Lewis foresaw in The Abolition of Man. Adults are trying to corrupt teenagers in the name of "education" and "safety," while the teens themselves have a higher sense of morality than their keepers.
1:12 AM
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