The Cuddle Puddle

Published on February 2, 2006 By HC1240 In Misc

The administration of Stuyvesent High School must be so proud. Their illustrious high school has made the front page of New York Magazine.

Researchers find it shocking that 11 percent of American girls between 15 and 19 claim to have same-sex encounters. Clearly they’ve never observed the social rituals of the pansexual, bi-queer, metroflexible New York teen.

Alair is wearing a tight white tank top cut off above the hem to show her midriff. Her black cargo pants graze the top of her combat boots, and her black leather belt is studded with metal chains that drape down at intervals across her hips. She has long blonde curls that at various times have been dyed green, blue, red, purple, and orange. (“A mistake,” she says. “Even if you mean to dye your hair orange, it’s still a mistake.”) Despite the fact that she’s fully clothed, she seems somehow exposed, her baby fat lingering in all the right places. Walking down the sterile, white halls of Stuyvesant High School, she creates a wave of attention. She’s not the most popular girl in school, but she is well known. “People like me,” she wrote in an instant message. “Well, most of them.”

Alair is headed for the section of the second-floor hallway where her friends gather every day during their free tenth period for the “cuddle puddle,” as she calls it. There are girls petting girls and girls petting guys and guys petting guys. She dives into the undulating heap of backpacks and blue jeans and emerges between her two best friends, Jane and Elle, whose names have been changed at their request. They are all 16, juniors at Stuyvesant. Alair slips into Jane’s lap, and Elle reclines next to them, watching, cat-eyed. All three have hooked up with each other. All three have hooked up with boys—sometimes the same boys. But it’s not that they’re gay or bisexual, not exactly. Not always.

Are you kidding me? That's some education these kids are getting.

I'm saddened by this story. I realize that cultural acceptance of alternative lifestyles and sexual promiscuity is growing, but am I the only one that sees this as being a bit over the top? I worry about these kids... I really do. Not specifically because of the homosexual aspects of this story, but because of the general impact this type of behavior has on their minds.

Teenagers who feel incomplete, inadequate and unappreciated are more likely to seek comfort in a sexual relationship... but this story goes way beyond one sexual relationship. I remember how confusing all of this was when I was an adolescent... dealing with ONE boy at a time -- I can't imagine how these kids are able to sort out anything in this situation. Imagine how this kind of situation must breed insecurities, petty jealousies... and self-esteem issues. I fear that peer pressure, and a lack of boundaries is going to lead these kids to do things they might regret later. The choices they are making now could have lasting effects... more than likely will. If not physically, then psychologically.

This whole thing strikes me as demeaning to the participants, and -- my morals aside -- damaging to them as well. Where is the administration of this school? Where are the parents? Do they not care? I realize that this involves a small percentage of the school's student body, but still... yikes. I also realize that the school caters to the arts... but still.

What do you think? Is this no different from the sexual revolution of the 60's? Or is it? Is it more damaging to our kids, or less? Do you see this as a trend (the increased sexual behavior with lack of boundaries) among schools in general, or is it limited to this particular high school? Who bears the most responsibility for creating this "anything goes" generation in regards to the sexual agenda?

Do you think these kids will look back on this time of their lives and laugh? Or will they look back and feel cheap and used? Do you think it will have lasting effects on them?

Obviously, anyone who reads me knows that this whole situation is contrary to my belief system. I believe premarital sex is wrong (although that didn't keep me from having it

), and I pray that my daughter will save herself for her husband and then enjoy the gifts of intimacy in a way that will bring her more joy than she can imagine. I hope she never looks back on her past indiscretions with regret the way I do.

But I also pray for these kids... the ones that are involved in this new "revolution". I think they'll need it.

This article is asking more about the ramifications of this behavior, and the trends being set than it is about the individual behaviors of homosexuality and premarital sex. What's your take?

Comments (Page 2)

Dr Guy

on Feb 28, 2006

To me, it has a lot to do with what they are exposed to at home, and how much leniency they are given with what they do with their free time.

Oh if that was only the case. Facts show otherwise.

Test

on Nov 04, 2006

Hi all!

G'night

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