As Barack Obama takes office today this is a historic event for America. As we change administrations, wouldn’t it be nice if today also represented the first day of a sexual renaissance? When I tell people that my mission is to help make the world a more sex positive place they often ask what that means. Sexual anthropologists have been saying for years that all societies attempt to control the sexual behavior of their people. In America, we are doing just that on many levels. Personally, I was turned down to rent office space when the landlord learned I am a sex therapist. Also recently, my general liability insurance was canceled for the same reason. (Not my malpractice insurance mind you, but my “slip and fall” insurance as if people who seek sex therapy are clumsier than others!). On a more macro note, we spend $1.5 billion dollars per year on abstinence only until marriage education. The average age of first marriage today is 27. How many of us waited until we were 27 to have sex for the first time. I ache at the very thought! Seriously, check out this clown “educating” our kids utilizing our federal tax dollars. http://www.amplifyyourvoice.org/u/AFY_Joe/2009/1/15/Federal-tax-dollars-are-going-to-clowns-iliterallyi-CLOWNS. Despite Bozo’s head in the sand message, sexuality educators around the globe know that abstinence only education doesn’t work. Furthermore, a large percentage of kids quizzed in longitudinal studies 5 years after making virginity pledges don’t even recall taking the oath. Kids who are not exposed to comprehensive sexuality education in the schools use less protection and are simply at greater risk than those who have been informed with facts. Let’s hope that today represents change toward a more sex positive society. www.doctorcannon.com
