Tuesday, July 27, 2010

I'll take a 2 liter of Coke, a pack of gum, and oh yeah, some porn.

Last Saturday I was out running errands and just messing around town with my two daughters. Our last stop was my favorite drive-through, the one that hands out Dum-Dum suckers to little kids in backseats. (This photo does not depict the establishment in question). As I waited in line behind two other cars, I noticed an addition to the familiar beer-snack-and-soda lined tunnel- a large white magazine rack. Intrigued, I leaned out my window as I drew closer, then suddenly blurted out, "Oh my GOD, is that  PORN"?? 

Indeed it was, confirmed not only by my own eyes, but also by the man standing beside the register. Front and center, in between the gum and the beef jerky. Not even behind the counter.  Alerted by my outburst, the girls were now noticing the magazines, too.  "Mommy, why is that lady wearing her underwear with no clothes?" asked Vivian, age 5. Morgan, age 7, chimed in with, "Skin is a funny name for a magazine"! (Well, my dear, so is Hustler and Juggs). Oh wow, I am completely not ready for such conversations. 

I politely tell the cashier that I will be going somewhere else from now on. I explain that my kids know enough to ask questions, and I don't think it's appropriate to have porn in plain sight. He looks at me as if I have two heads. "But, you can't even see anything!" he protests.

I shrug and drive down the street to another drive-through. I make my purchases, all is well, and then I see them. More smutty magazines! Just off to the right of the exit door! Apparently from now on I will have to haul my butt out of the car and go in to an actual store when I need to pick up a few concessions.

I'm not uptight. I'm not a prude. I think adults should have access to such things if they want. Just NOT in view of my very young, questioning, and impressionable daughters. Ick. So, am I asking too much here? Have you seen porn popping up in unexpected places?


How to have conversations about difficult topics with your kids
Talking to your kids about sex
Media and girls
Girls and self esteem

9 comments:

  1. Ick, ick, ick. I haven't seen that, but, alas, give it time...

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  2. It is a challenge raising children in this culture, for sure.

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  3. You know, when Mike & I moved to Ohio we were stunned by the whole concept of being able to drive through to get beer (we didn't have these in NC). Adding porn on top of it just makes it EXTRA special. Sheesh.

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  4. I have seen it... unfortunately so has my 15 year old son. I am not a prude either, but come on - do we have to sell porn right next to the candy? Crazy.

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  5. I remember the time, much to my sons' embarrassment, when I went into the comic book shop and informed them that if they didn't remove the poster of Pamela Anderson that we would stop frequenting their store! It didn't work but i think I made my point and my kids, now adults, still remember that.
    I believe we have to speak up on matters like these!

    visiting you from 31DBB

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  6. I don't blame you. When you are in the car you can't rush the kiddos by so they don't see anything inappropriate. We don't have any drive-thru stores where I live, so we always get out of the car and go it. Sorry for the new inconvenience. Stopping by from 31DBBB.

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  7. I know what you mean! It is getting tougher and tougher. I live in Las Vegas, which makes things even more interesting... Right next to the freeway exit to my house is a billboard for the "Adult Megastore" that advertises "Toys."

    Luckily I still have some time before my son learns how to read - and I have to explain to him why I won't be taking him to that *particular* "toy store."

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  8. Is it just me... or is anyone else mystified that the porn is the thing that is bad about the BEER and WINE DRIVE through?

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