Balance Quote by Peggy Orenstein
“Mothers are doing a better job talking about risk, danger, reproduction, consent, unwanted pregnancy. We're not talking about how to balance the risks and joys and we're really not talking about the joys.”
About This Quote
Source Article: “The New Sexual Politics” by Peggy Orenstein, 2015
The quote critiques the focus on danger and risk in sexual education while neglecting the positive aspects of intimacy.
In simple terms: Sex education emphasizes risk over joy.
Key Takeaway
Include both risks and joys in sexual education.
Themes
sexual education
risk
joy
consent
reproduction
Mood
reflective
concerned
Type
educational
advocacy
When to use this quote
- school curricula
- parent‑child talks
- health workshops
- media campaigns
Key Concepts
public health
gender studies
communication
Questions to Reflect On
- How can educators integrate pleasure without encouraging risky behavior?
- What barriers prevent open discussion of sexual joy?
A Different Perspective
Balancing joy and risk can be culturally sensitive and politically contested.
![“[On how mothers are "doing the most important job" in the world by raising children]: If, in fact, it were the most important thing a human being could do, then why are no men doing it? They'd rather make war, make foreign policy, invent nuclear weapons, decode DNA, paint The Last Supper, put the…” quote by Linda R. Hirshman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0e0/linda-r-hirshman-116849_children_on-how-mothers-are-doing-the-most-import_1002209.jpg)
![“Saying "yes" [to sexual activity] is a pretty low baseline for sexual experience and I wanted to write about what was happening to girls after "yes."” quote by Peggy Orenstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac7/peggy-orenstein-11585_activity_saying-yes-to-sexual-activity-is-a-prett_369759.jpg)
