After reading Joe's recent post about sex (or moral) education in Ohio, I thought I'd share my own thoughts as an Operation Keepsake alumnus.

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"Think about Marriage: What is it? Realistically, a lot of us have not seen a good example of marriage. Most of us get our ideas about marriage from television and movies. How helpful is this? What does the media say about marriage? I mean, how many faithful, loving, and committed marriages can you think of on television or in the movies?"

Let's think about.  In Parma, a suburb of Cleveland, and one of the largest school districts in Cuyahoga County, there are a large number of married parents.  But there are also a large number of divorced parents, of single parents, of step-parents, of parents that aren't married, and of single parents that date.  So the question here is: "Do Operation Keepsake students really get their ideas of marriage from television?"  Probably not.  There is a bigger chance that a parent's failed marriage is more impactful.  And are all the single parents in Parma abstinent?  Well, I'll let you decide.  

What sense am I making here?  It seems to me that Operation Keepsake is telling students that if you're parents are married, that's great; but if they aren't, don't be like them.  I mean, hello single parents, shout after me: renewed abstinence. 

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There was a college girl that came into the class and talked about how she and her boyfriend don't frech kiss, and no touching  happens in places covered by a bathing suit.  Now, do we honestly think that this is realisitic of a college student?  Now, what if she never marries?  I guess no kissing for her. 

Plus, it was a little late for me (and EVERYONE!).  Not only had I had my first French kiss at 14, but it was also boy-on-boy.  If only I'd heard he speech sooner (right?).

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Don't forget about Operation Keepsake's unsettling gender stereotypes.  They're displayed on their webpage--everywhere!  I mean, apparantly girls are still dumb:

"As fate would have it, Brock and I had a number of math & science classes together throughout school. This was very fortunate for me because, while Brock was a natural at math and science, I was NOT. Thus began our friendship. I would go to Brock often for help in all things mathematic. It was during our sophomore year that Brock actually broke off his serious relationship, but it wasn't until our junior year that our friendship grew into something more. "

And boys can't be sappy:

Guy says: "Sure, we can rent Pride and Prejudice." He means: "Please don't make me sit through that torture."

As they say, its so hard to understand the opposite sex--except of course when they're all the same. 

According to Operation keepsake, boys will be boys and girls will be girls.  Perhaps it comforting to think that marriage will save the world; that condoms aren't necessary, and that all households will somday consists of a 1950's style makeup; that kids won't explore their bodies (or their friends) or their partner's mouths--think one-pieces people.  

But that's an Operation Keepsake world.  In mine, sex does come with a lot of responsibility, whether its a one night stand or with someone you've known.  There are STI's and for some pregnancy, and in all cases there are emotions, but in no case will marriage protect us.  I take comfort in the fact that boys will be girls and girls wil be boys, and that boys will kiss boys and girls wil kiss girls, and in knowing that there's some straight stuff too.  And I especially take comfort in knowing that the Ohio Advocates are smothering Operation Keepsake's world (with lubricated latex)!