Reality of the situation.
Sunday, May 4th, 2008People have the opportunity to learn about relationships during adolescence, but it’s not officially “taught.” Sometimes it’s even discouraged.
Schools teach sex-ed, attempt to encourage abstinence, but ignore relationships. Whether dating is encouraged, discouraged or tolerated, it isn’t a subject taught at school. The subject is entirely avoided, and children learn that simply-asking about dating isn’t okay. Children are forced to figure it out, if they can’t… well, too bad.
This is really, really bad. I’d love to start or be apart-of a revolution that adds this type of education to the American high-school curriculum, but with so many education cutbacks, I’m pretty-sure that that won’t happen. At least not anytime soon.
However, there’s a stigma against the topic altogether, and that needs to go. People are ridiculed over the mere admission that “they need help” with dating, relationships and/or sex.
Especially men. “Real men” can’t admit to “not knowing what to do.” They’re not allowed to say, “I need help getting a date.”
Well, why is online (semi-anonymous) dating such a big industry? I know why anonymity is such an important part.
I’m here to say, that you aren’t any less of a person because this stuff hasn’t come naturally to you. You shouldn’t feel ashamed. You don’t need to hide. It’s okay to ask for help. It’s okay to be here. It’s normal, it’s good even, that you want to be a better person. I’m glad that you want to have better relationships, that you want to have better sex. I’m glad you’re here reading this, I’m happy to write it. Society needs to be okay with openly talking and sharing this information.