PEORIA -- The "purity ball" held recently in Peoria is the lead story for the Sunday, Dec. 2 issue of the Chicago Tribune. The newspaper always hits my driveway on Saturday night.
The Journal Star also covered this event recently, but what a difference in the two stories.
The Tribune story uses the event as a way to examine so-called abstinence only programs such as this one, and quoting scientific studies repeats what we have all heard: these programs do no good in keeping teens from having sex and may actually leave teenagers in ignorance and likely to take risks -- and become pregnant.
It's a good read, and puts these "purity balls" in the context of religious ideology. It also includes a video on the website.
The Journal Star's story, on the other hand, just describes the event. No context, no in-depth look at teen sex.
The Tribune story is kind to the purity ball concept. Instead of calling it somewhat creepy, which it is, the story argues that it's a way for dads to spend time with their daughters.
But it also questions the sexism behind such an event that implies the daughter is the dad's property until he hands her over to a husband.
So the female is really male property, in this sick world view.
Good for the Tribune. Shame on the Journal Star for publishing a very weak story.
-- Elaine Hopkins
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