Broken Corset

The Birds and the Bees

The first time I was introduced to the “birds and the bees” was early in elementary school.  I’m not even sure if it was one specific event, or information gradually accumulated on the playground.  In any case, my peers were the first to educate me on how babies are made.  Luckily, they were generally accurate and I came away with a relatively clear understanding of the process – though I found it mind boggling that anyone would choose to participate in such a strange activity.

When my older cousin told me a sexually explicit joke, new information and understanding in hand, I then repeated it to my younger brother… with the admonition that if he EVER told our parents I would have to kill him.  Unfortunately for me, my brother was absent my new second grade sense of worldliness, and quickly repeated the joke to my parents.  Thus began my second course in sexual education – this one more awkward than the first, but filled with increasing information.

My parents gave us both the book, Where Did I Come From? by Peter Mayle.  With its anatomically correct cartoonish figures, and careful explanation, it left little to the imagination.  I think to this day, I would turn red if I saw it again.  Nonetheless, as a parent now, I recognize the value of such a book.  We read it together as a family, and any questions that my peers had left unanswered, were now covered – and apparently burned indelibly in my mind as I can still vividly recall the pictures today!  

My mother used a similar tactic as I entered my teen years, bringing me the book Our Bodies, Ourselves.  This time, my mom was a bit ahead of my peers, and many topics covered in the book were relatively new to me.  Upon giving me the book, my mom told me just to keep it in my room, and that it was up to me if I read it or not.  Of course, being the more sophisticated individual that she was, she must have known what would happen.  I carefully read the book cover to cover, absorbing all of its details, and came away with an education on sex and sexuality more detailed than I’m sure many women of 50 have had to this day!  Of course, I shared much of this information with my peers – and sometime after college graduation, my best friend from childhood thanked me for helping her through some of the important parts of growing up – with accurate information.  To this day, I am grateful for my mother’s foresight and sensitive introduction of important information into my life.

I think of these experiences as together being a metaphor for the blog.  My peers, my family, and written works have helped me develop my personal opinions and beliefs.  One is not a substitute for another, yet together they form a strong foundation on which to build.  Unfortunately, in women’s culture today, it seems to me that there is an increasing focus on the material or superficial, and a dwindling spotlight on issues of substance.  While I certainly enjoy the latest fashion magazine, and am always looking for a great recipe, I cannot bear to leave behind intellectual stimulation.  Broken Corset is my attempt to contribute to the intellectual stimulation of women.  Peers are invited to respond and contribute as well.  Tell us what you think… about anything.  Point us in the direction of interesting reading….  Explain a sophisticated theory that you understand well.  Stimulate the community to read, think, discuss, write, and read some more.  While I am sure that Broken Corset can not be quite as compelling as an early teen found Our Bodies, Ourselves – I hope it will interest you enough to return sometimes and see what’s here.    Even my mom plans to contribute!