Hallmark promotes teen sex

by Roger Sinasohn (Subscribe to Roger Sinasohn's posts) Apr 14th 2008 3:04PM

"Roses are red / Violets are blue / you've hit puberty / I'd like to shag you" Okay, no, not really. As far as I know Hallmark does not and would not produce a card with a rhyme like that. They have, however, put out a greeting card that, according to one mother, at least, apparently promotes teen sex.

The card, which features a picture of two wine glasses and asks "Care for some liquid clothes remover?", is, in my opinion, a bit tasteless and crude -- certainly not something I would ever give to someone. I'm not sure I see it specifically promotes teen sex. I can't imagine someone giving this card to someone -- teen or otherwise -- they weren't already intimate with without getting slapped for their trouble.

Still, Cyndi Desrosiers, a project coordinator with Allies in Substance Abuse Prevention, has talked to local stores and to Hallmark. A Hallmark spokesman said the card was not intended for teens, but "any number of situations," such as an anniversary or for an well-established couple, perhaps looking to reignite some passion.

Desrosiers, on the other hand, feels differently. She is going to stick to her guns. "I know this is minor in the big scheme of things, but it's one way for us to have an impact on the mixed messages that are out there and the irresponsible targeting to youth," she said. "I feel it's our responsibility as adults."

"I have an 18-year-old daughter," noted Desrosiers, "and I would just die if someone gave this to her." Personally, if it were my daughter that were given this card, I might be more inclined to think it would be the giver that would be doing the ~~dieing~~ dying, but I would also hope my daughter would have better taste than to be involved with someone who would give her this card.

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Comments (236)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 12)

Jill 4-14-2008 @ 3:23PM

Does she also worry that it will promote underage drinking? What teen drinks wine anyway? They'd never buy it.

josh 4-15-2008 @ 9:20PM

umm is that woman stupid? i think the card is funny and i would buy it for my better half. it is an adult card anyway. i hope this woman reads these comments and realizes she is fighting a stupid cause. there are so many more important reasons to fight. wake up cyndi.

baileythecat 4-15-2008 @ 11:33PM

this lady needs to get a life. its just a card. sounds like a pernonal problem to me.

queenoqueens 4-14-2008 @ 3:34PM

Since 18 is of legal age, I don't know if there's really much you can do to shield a child that age. While a parent is never keen on casual sex for their child, 18 is too old to be worried about the influence of a greeting card. Particularly if they move far away to go to college, a card is the LEAST of your worries.

And for a younger child, it would be crass to send/receive such a card, but not enough to have me request such cards stop being made. Are we going to have an "adult" section at the Hallmark store now?

isisaquaria 4-14-2008 @ 3:40PM

There is always someone

Jenni 4-14-2008 @ 4:08PM

A bit too much! You don't like it? Don't buy it. I don't now many teens that spend that much time buying cards anyway. And considering that the complaint seems to be coming from someone from "Allies in Substance Abuse Prevention" (the caption on the picture in the news story), I think that the "bad for teens" is just a smoke screen to try and get everyone's attention. If you can't handle looking at a glass of wine on a card, don't look.
I porbably wouldn't buy this card; but I am definitely not offended by it either.

Lori 4-15-2008 @ 9:30PM

You obviously had not had to bail a teenager out of jail for an m.i.p. or stood in court as he/she faced a judge. We need to be more responsible by not sending mixed messages to our kids.

Judy 4-14-2008 @ 4:47PM

Ridiculous!

I can't see how this could be promoting teen sex, teen drinking, or anything else. It's a card, geared for adults. Yes, some teens might buy it, but there are bigger problems, then, than the card!

Meagan 4-14-2008 @ 5:12PM

I don't think teens buy greeting cards anymore unless it's for a grandparent. Talk about out of touch.

Anita 4-16-2008 @ 9:53AM

You are so right! Teenagers don't buy greeting cards for one another. But my husband would totally buy the card for me.

kate 4-14-2008 @ 6:57PM

That card promoting teen sex?! That is quite possibly the most ridiculous argument I've ever come across. It's not as if the card shows a teenage boy handing a teenager girl a glass of wine with that question. This mother needs to find something else to do with her time, such as looking into finding a glass bubble large enough to hold her 18 year old daughter.

Jen Henry 4-14-2008 @ 7:23PM

Um....this woman does know that there's this thing called the internet now right? Sending greeting cards as a teen is just not cool...

She should check out all the glittergrams and avatars available for kids to stick on their MySpace or Facebook page....now those are racy....

Jen
http://furoreandfrenzy.com

haleythepop 4-15-2008 @ 8:10PM

ok so i am a teen and i think that this is so funnie! one,we dont buy cards unless it is for a grandparent. two, if you really have that much time on your hands get a hobby! the ONLY reason a teen would buy that card is for a JOKE!

Fernando 4-16-2008 @ 1:19AM

I'm a teen as well and I think that it is stupid to be upset over something so trivial. How in the world does it promote teen sex anyway? I see nothing wrong with the card. I think it's pretty funny.

Bella 4-15-2008 @ 8:10PM

I'm a teen and the last time I was in a Halmark store was to buy my friend an anniversary card for her grandparents....that was about a year ago. Most teens don't really go to card stores anymore. And furthermore, if someone gave me this card, the only thing they would get in return would be a good hard slap.

mac 4-15-2008 @ 8:11PM

hey lady....get a life...just because somebody wouldn't send you a card like that is probably cause your either stone ugly or ice cold......get with the times...it doesn't say ANYTHING about teen sex.......so if that's what you think........it must be because your not gettin any......

JoAnn 4-15-2008 @ 8:36PM

Gee mac, you are such a thoughtful and insightful person (not!). Your significant other must be lucky (not).

I don't see how the card is intended for teens, but I do think it is tacky. I'm disappointed that Hallmark would put out something like that.

Eric 4-15-2008 @ 8:11PM

Gee, if I buy this card, can I get laid?

Beth 4-16-2008 @ 7:32AM

Only if you buy it for a teen!!!!!!

dave 4-15-2008 @ 8:16PM

Ah, come on now.

Does this mother also object to every TV show on Fox, WB, and most of the other networks? Does she object to the Victoria's Secret catalog that comes in the mail? Does she object to Viagra commercials? Does she object to the ads for the cervical cancer vacine? Does she object to MTV and VH1? Does she object to (just about) every ad for girls clothing? Is She against the ads for make up? Does she protest the Candies Brand for girls?
I could go on and on.

My goodness, this is totally ridiculous! Get a life lady and use your time talking to your daughter about what is right and what is wrong, instead of going through Hallmark greeting card showcases.