The Staggering Double Standard

So we're bombarded with images of sexy people, especially women, all the time. Constantly. Been going on for years.

Yet, we demonize female sexuality . . .

Is anyone else confused?

Sexy is good, but having sex is bad?

Getting attention is good, but too much attention is bad?

Being a slut is bad, but no one wants to be bad in bed . . . .

Years ago I called my dad out on this. Long story short, my brother being a bit of a ladies' man was a source of pride to him. My spending the night at my boyfriend's house was a source of consternation. (My brother and I were 21 and 22, respectively.) "That's just the way it is, Jess."

I get it, Dad is a product of his culture like we all are. But how are we supposed to reconcile these messages?

Contraception and condoms have taken away the risks of pregnancy or STI that used to attempt to keep people abstaining before marriage. The problem is that society hasn't caught up to the changes that this has wrought, the new level playing field. We don't need to control women with hateful words or castigation for being sexually active. We don't need to control them at all, never did! But all the "reasons" society used to see fit now ring hollow, and must be seen for what they are.

It is a staggering double standard to admire men for being promiscuous, and to demonize women for doing the same. And it must not be tolerated. Double standards and hypocrisy are NOT Positive Sexuality. I don't accept "that's just the way it is." It's either wrong or it's not. I'll let you guess what I think ;)