Remembering Summer Institute Through the Years

SC Campaign CEO, Forrest Alton, has only missed ONE Summer Institute in the last fourteen years of the conference.  He shares his thoughts about the past and about what's coming up for this year's 14th Annual Summer Institute in Columbia, SC, June 13th and 14th.

We hope you will be joining us for our Summer Institute conference this year!  You can register here.

Not Buying It.

“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” Alice Walker

I’ve never really considered myself a feminist – probably because the term has always conjured up images of hairy, bra-less women spending all their time ranting insanely on the steps of the Capitol. As I’ve gotten older, though, the term has taken on a different meaning for me and I’ve discovered that I have the opportunity to teach young people (and young women in particular) that they have a voice. They don’t have to put up with what society throws at them as acceptable. I’ve encouraged the young people I work with to familiarize themselves with the Miss Representation movement and to have a voice by letting people know “I’m not buying it!”

Here are some current issues that cause my blood to boil and would have me crafting signs for a march in front of the Capitol if I thought it would do any good. At the very least, I’ve decided I’m not buying it.

·         The music industry. The fact that rapper Rick Ross’ newest track “U.O.E.N.O” glorifies rape with the lyrics “Put molly all in her champagne, she ain’t even know it / I took her home and I enjoyed that, she ain’t even know it” is astonishing but more amazing is the fact that we have a music industry that supports such nonsense.  Then there are more well-known songs like “Whistle” by Flo Rider and “S & M” by Rihanna (don’t even get me started on “Bow Down” by Beyonce) that either objectify or be-little women. And have you heard the newest 98 Degrees single “Microphone?” They aren’t talking about a girl singing in a mic any more than Flo Rider is really into whistles. #notbuyingit

·        
Victoria’s Secret. While the brand made famous for lacy under-things has pulled back on their recent “Bright Young Things” line promoted through their Pink extension, the reality of what they were marketing to teens remains. From a thong printed with the words “Feeling lucky?” to the “date panty,” the continued over-sexualization of girls and young women is disheartening. Is it necessary for undergarments geared towards teenagers to be “flirty?” #notbuyingit

·         Hardee’s & Carl Jr’s commercials. How anyone came up with a concept for making hamburgers something sexy is beyond me but I continue to be disgusted by every commercial these chains air. From half-dressed girls at a barbeque with ogling males sweating over grills to celebrities licking sauce off their fingers, the tendency to use sex to sell anything – even a quarter pound of beef covered in some bourbon concoction – both amazes and infuriates me. Enough is enough. #notbuyingit

Show your power by putting a voice to your beliefs. Encourage young people to use their voice – and their dollars – to show the music industry, the fashion industry, and - yes - even the food industry that they won’t continue to accept what is being thrown at them. Whether feminists or not, we do not have to be okay with everything society says is okay. You’re invited to join me and thousands of others in letting society know that we’re not buying it!

by Dana Becker, Spartanburg Community Specialist, SC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy

Watch Out! I'm Leaning...

With the recent release of Sheryl Sandberg's Lean In , I've found myself really reflecting on the future we pave for our nation’s girls. Sheryl (since I bought her book, I’m allowing myself to be on a first-name basis here) talks about the importance of empowering young women in her book. As a feisty young woman new to the professional world, I found much of what Sheryl speaks of in her TED Talk to ring true. Not only have I realized that we, as women, hold ourselves back (we don’t always speak up or we give up that seat at the table to the man left standing), but we hold other women back as well. We don’t support each other in productive ways. In fact, we often say not-so-pleasant things about women who are successful. Not only are we creating obstacles to success for one another, but we’re teaching the girls of our future generation to be silent.

The lack of support from other females starts early in life. I cannot say from scientific research (though I’m sure it’s out there!), but I can say from my experience this is true. My sister is a second grade teacher. I am often lucky enough to be entertained with her latest tale of what mischief her students are up to. This year’s theme has been “drama” between the girls in her classroom. Every week she has a new story about how mean the girls are to each other. By the end of the tale, one of the girls is crying. If at age 7 we are already pitted against each other to the point of tears, how can we possibly support each other in our professional decisions?

While I do not have the solution to this problem, I desperately want to change it. I have challenged myself to build stronger, more supportive relationships with the women in my life (with the help of two friends I’m putting that goal into action by starting a Lean In Circle ). I am recognizing the accomplishments of women I know and taking a look at their power as inspiration instead of competition. In a past blog, I talked about how women compare themselves to others. It’s a challenge to fight this urge to compete with one another, but I’m working on it! I admire Sheryl Sandberg for bringing these realities to the surface and encouraging us to talk about them. She has certainly empowered and inspired me and I hope to one day inspire other young women and empower our future generation of girls to speak up, sit at the table and lean in.

by Jordan Slice, Evaluation Associate, SC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy

Sara's Relationship Deal Breakers

So, you meet the guy (or girl) of your dreams and think, "Wow, this person is perfect for me in every way." But maybe that's because your new fascination hasn't revealed some of his or her "unique" qualities yet. Before you start confessing your love or brainstorming baby names, maybe it would be a good idea to spend a little more time with your new partner before getting in too deep. Check out the shortened version of my relationship deal breaker list; these are the qualities in a partner that I simply cannot overlook!

He has a funky smell
I just can't be with someone whose smell I don't like. He doesn't even have to wear cologne, just as long as he doesn't always smell like garlic and onions.

He can't spell
Coming from someone with a journalism degree, when a guy can't spell simple words, it is just a turn off. It just dozn't make cents two me.

He has no creativity
I am a person who loves to dance, sing, play instruments, take photos and write. If you don't know how to take the lens cap off a camera or are tone deaf, then I'm sorry, we just weren't meant to be!

He doesn't take care of his health
I love being physically active and eating healthy foods (shout out to my fellow vegetarians!). I try to take care of my body on an every day basis. I want someone who is willing to go on walks/runs with me or play disc golf (check out my earlier blog!).  Although I don't mind if my partner is a meat eater or not, I do want him to be conscious of his diet. If my partner is not motivated to do these things, then we just won't work out.

He's not an animal lover
I love animals, especially dogs, so if my partner doesn't want a dog (or two or three) sleeping in the bed or licking his face, then that's a deal breaker!

Although the above qualities are important to me, the MOST important qualities I look for in a partner are: someone who is supportive, respectful, honest and someone I can see myself having a long, healthy, happy relationship with. I look for someone who will be by my side through thick and thin and someone who I can tell my most embarrassing secrets to.

These are the types of deal makers and deal breakers we need to teach our young people. We need to make sure we know what we want and don't want in a partner so we can help young people identify these qualities as well. It's not about who is the most popular girl or guy in school, whose family has the most money or who has the coolest car, it's about how we treat each other in relationships. We need to lead by example so our young people will make the right decisions when getting into relationships.

Anyone know a spelling bee champion who likes to sing, play disc golf and eat tofu, who naturally smells like Calvin Klein cologne and will treat me like gold?

by Sara Lamberson, Health Communications Graduate Assistant, SC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy

This Cowboy's on Fire...

Alicia Keys would have been proud last weekend - or either demanded payment for remixing her song without permission!  Early last week, I noticed my 3 year old son singing Ms. Keys' popular song, This Girl is on Fire so intensely that I laughed my butt off.  I know that Landen has heard this song before - briefly on that infamous credit card commercial, on other shows, and on the radio.  The difference last week was that he had the melody down to a science.  So I asked:  Landen, where did you hear this song?  I had a feeling that he actually heard it in its entirety on the kid jams CD that the older kids often listen to at school - and yes he had indeed heard the kid version of the song...how cute!  Fast forward to last Saturday and, as he played "cowboys,” I heard the same song in its remixed form - This Cowboy is on FIRE…hilarious and very creative.  But, now I am thinking - he is just not repeating - he is comprehending!  Great but now I REALLY have to pay attention to all of the music and media that we consume. 

Chicago Tribune’s Heidi Stevens discusses music and other media influences on youth in her most recent Parent ‘Hood column (published in The State 3/19/13).  She asks how parents would handle a situation where their preteen’s friends listen to, in her words, “raunchy” music.  Now I definitely think that Alicia’s song is not the worst pop song for my child to hear as it is really is about a women’s effort to balance, work, family, and other life stresses.  However, inevitably Landen will not be sheltered by a kid’s version of every pop song on earth.  So it’s never too early to consider the most effective ways to allow Landen to be independent, creative, and hip while using teachable moments to share our values and encourage him to thinking critically about media and pop culture.  The columnist also asks if parents would consider themselves a “prude” if they wanted their child to not listen to any of the so-called raunchy music.  The parent responses in her office ranged from Yes. But sometimes that's your role… to No, you are not a prude. You have taste.  Joking aside, the full parent responses did place emphasis on using teachable moments and on actually talking with your child and not just screaming at them about how horrible their music is!

I know that as a pre-teen and a teen, I listened to many songs that were totally inappropriate, but my parents and older siblings used opportunities – like preparation for dances, skating rink parties, proms, and senior week – to talk to me about the real life influences and pressures that I would face – NOT to judge.  My father would often say that my friends and I needed to take a break from the hip hop music and watch the 60’s soul group special on public television  with him– But he never told us to NOT listen to hip hop and popular music – just to pay attention and respect ourselves.  My mom also added that if I always keep what she taught me in the back of my mind, eventually my conscience would be guide.  Keeping the lessons in mind to this day – I am sure that we can stay somewhat sane on this journey with Landen and help him grow into the young man that he needs to be regardless of the popular culture that surrounds him.

Now that I am paying attention…he has released his newest remix of the song…This MAMA is on FIRE! – seriously, I can’t make this stuff up!!

by Kimberley Wicker, Outreach Specialist, SC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy

The Hairless Wonder

He is a hairless man.  I’m not much for the hairy type. He has always said the Padgett ancestors are Native American.  I can see that.  Regardless, hair or not, he is the wonder of my life.  

Even though he knows he can’t grow a mustache and even though when friends ask what I do for a living he gives the line, “She prevents teen pregnancy; I’m against it too.”  When I asked if he would raise money for the SC Campaign his reply, “Sure,” his next statement, “ Did you say a mustache?”  

There will be no handlebars or Magnum PI stashes (Check out some other cool mustaches here!)  for Josh but a man that loves his wife enough to sport some chops and the “pencil” is the wonder of my life. Check out Josh's page to donate! Mustache Madness

 

by Polly Edwards Padgett, Senior Program Advisor, SC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy 

It All Came Together at Summer Institute

Summer Institute 2012

In June of last year, I was hired by the South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy (SC Campaign) to serve as Project Manager of their Collective Impact Initiative.  From the job description and my own personal research, I understood what my role and responsibilities were, but I did not have a strong understanding of what the SC Campaign did!  All of my questions were answered when I attended my very first Summer Institute… just two weeks after being hired.  Summer Institute has became the highlight of my year because it brings together all of the hard work and ideas of the SC Campaign staff.  Having the opportunity to participate in Summer Institute last year was such an eye-opening experience that truly showed me what the SC Campaign is all about.  Attending Summer Institute gave me a sense of pride and admiration and made me feel truly honored to be a part of the SC Campaign staff.  Last year, I had the opportunity to talk with several conference attendees and hearing their accolades and praises for Summer Institute let me know that I made the right decision to apply for my position at the SC Campaign and relocate back to Columbia, South Carolina. I truly feel that Summer Institute is the premier adolescent sexual health conference offered in the Southeastern United States!

by Dr. India Rose, PhD, Project Manager, SC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy