Should women 'put some clothes on'?

“You know, I think we’re beating around the bush here. I’ve been told I’m not supposed to say this - however, women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimised.” That was the idea of a health and safety talk by Michael Sanguinetti; the infamous police officer from Toronto who believes men can’t control their lust if they happen upon a bit of flesh. I was watching Loose Women the other day (daytime TV at it’s best) and to my surprise at least half of the panel agreed with him! Arguments from the Loose Ladies in support of concerned Mr Sanguinetti included “if women are dressing in low cut tops and short skirts they are doing it to get attention from men” and “if a girl is straddling a man at a booth in a club with their tongue halfway down his throat then they are giving the impression that they want a sexual encounter”. Are they right? Should women be responsible for taking precautionary wardrobe choices so as to deter horny men? Should women put away their puppies and cover their pins instead of investing in rape alarms and pepper spray?

Can YOU say the 'N' word?

I went on a night out the other day - standard. Well everything was standard except the theme. Our whole group took over this averaged-sized club in the French Alpes; people were doing shots at the bar, half-pissed guys were busting their moves on the dance floor, girls were screeching along to songs in a way that doesn’t matter when you’re drunk. However, this fairly typical Saturday night scene was actually atypical, as it was conducted in dress of ‘non-pc’. What do I mean by ‘non-pc’? People were dressed as Golliwogs, Princess Diana, Madeline McCanne, Nazis, and some even stretched to go as far as the KKK. One person went as Nick Clegg (very apt considering his recent betrayal to students) and one person was clever enough to go as a Mac computer. Yeah, it was preeeetttty controversial alright, and I can imagine people reading this will be either laughing, outraged or shocked… shocked with a naughty smirk on their face. However offensive, this occasion was fully in jest with people eager to outdo each other in controversy. One girl, on the other hand, started shouting about how much of a disgrace and how disgusting it was that people would dress up as such… non-pc things. One argument was that it was ‘the theme’ and people were only doing what they had been asked. The other understandable argument was that it never should have been ‘the theme’ and even if it was people should not comply anyways. Now I’m not arguing about the rights and wrongs of dressing up as a Golliwog - another post idea I think. The whole situation made me think about racism an’ all that, and other situations where the lines of ‘what is acceptable’ is blurred.

Should porn stars wear condoms?

Jonnys, rubbers, condoms: we’ve all blown them up and let them float around the room and we’ve all tried to pull them over our heads without breaking… but how many of us actually use them to wrap up our love muscles? The Ipsos MORI survey indicates that 49% of under-25 year olds in the UK don’t always use a condom with a new partner. Is it any wonder that two thirds of women and a half of all men diagnosed with an STI are within this age range?
Although it is clear that many people dismiss ‘safe sex’ campaigns as exaggerated preachings of the prude, some may be convinced to have a change of heart after recent revelations that an LA porn star has been tested as HIV positive. STIs are like Revels – there’s always one that you really don’t want to get, and I’m betting that HIV is number one on most people’s lists. Filming in California’s multi-billion dollar porn industry has come to a halt and performers are queuing up to be tested as panic sets in. The question has now been raised: should porn stars be made to wear condoms?

Is having children a self-convicted life sentence?

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Cyber cuddles - can you feel the real love?

If you are reading this now, it is likely that you are fully aware of the You’ve Got Mail-style relationships that are formed and fostered through a multitude of social networking programs. If you want you can email your rich uncle in Australia, IM your best friend from across the street to arrange a night out, or hold a raunchy video conference with a hot Brazilian from his shack in Rio’s favelas. The possibilities are almost endless, but the whole advancement of socialising via tele-technologies brings several questions into the stark light of your computer screen.

Falling in love too easily... what's with it lately?

Falling in love too easily… what’s with it lately? Known to many, I religiously watch that ‘bear-bating’ daytime television show, featuring Mr Jeremy Kyle and a host of Great Britain’s most troubled inhabitants. What can I say; at least I’ll be happily entertained if I’m ever unemployed/on maternity leave! I have noticed that so many of its guests seem to fall in ‘love’ after weeks, and seem to get married after months, and I have a feeling that it’s not particularly healthy, or particularly rare.

Is football confined to men and shaven armpits the territory of women?

I was getting a lift from my friend the other day, who happens to bat for the other team. She often discusses the presence of gay people at the ‘straight’ bar she works at, and this occasion was no exception. I always ask her “But how can you tell they’re gay?” and she always replies with “You can just tell” – informative as ever.