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"I'm not a doctor, but I play one on TV"
Published Wednesday, April 30, 2008 in
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Remember those ads with actor Robert Young where he said, "I'm not a doctor, but I play one on TV." He knew his status as an actor didn't make him an actual expert on medical issues. Someone should tell this to actress Kate Walsh.
Walsh played a doctor on "Gray's Anatomy" and stars in the spinoff show "Private Practice." This apparently qualifies her as an expert on healthcare issues, specifically the subject of sexually transmitted diseases in teen girls. She testified in Congress recently to promote more federal funding for sex education rather than for abstinence promotion.
Here's what Walsh told lawmakers: "In addition to abstinence, which is fine, there just needs to be a comprehensive sex education program, and we can't be relying on, you know, private foundations or parents or, you know, teens' peers to be educating each other. We really do need government help on this.
Aside from the fact that abstinence actually is the most effective tool to combat STIs, Walsh's assertion that we can't rely on "you know, parents" to educate their children on this subject smacks of the worst sort of condescension.
Maybe the problem isn't that parents aren't doing their jobs, but that the media is feeding kids unhealthy and unrealistic images about sexuality and sexual behavior.
But hey...I'm just a "you know, parent" so what do I know?
| Comments |
 By
Nikkki @
Thursday, May 01, 2008 4:20 PM
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I agree, I was watching Glenn Beck a few days ago and a similar topic was introduced. The media spends way to much time sexualizing teens and not promoting acting their age.
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Vicki Russell @
Sunday, May 04, 2008 3:55 PM
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Until the media stops selling products using SEX, the younger crowd is going to continue to think that 'sex is ok', no matter when or with whom....period.
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Kathleen @
Tuesday, May 06, 2008 5:17 PM
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Ironically, this is the same actress currently hawking a new Cadillac car. The commercial essentially says that what is most important in a car isn't all the technology or mechanical benefits but that when "you turn the car on, it returns the favor". Here is someone who has sexualized cars! An interesting voice on the issue of teenage sexuality, don't you think?
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Kathy @
Wednesday, May 07, 2008 6:24 PM
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Isn't it amazing that the "expert" testifying before Congress is not a doctor, not a nurse, not a concerned parent, but the most expert of all - an actor. This is similar to having Meryl Streep and Sissy Spacek testify several years ago on issues because they had played characters in movies. The last people who should be telling how children how to live their lives are those in Hollywood!
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By
Ms. Mitchell @
Thursday, May 08, 2008 10:02 AM
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While I don't always agree with everything you write, I thoroughly enjoy the way in which it is written. On most topics, you are "right on" in my book. Continue the great job!
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