OVER THE RAINBOW

Simon & Schuster's description of Paul Ruditis' Rainbow Party:

Rainbow Party is a cautionary tale about a group of teens faced with the prospect of attending a party involving oral sex. The novel spotlights each of their diverse viewpoints in the hours leading up to the party. It explores what each teen has -- and has not -- been up to sexually, and why. And ultimately, why they would consider going to a party like this in the first place.

This book addresses important and timeless issues relevant to teens, including self-esteem, peer pressure, awareness about STD protection, and making an informed and educated decision about readiness for sexual activity. It was inspired by numerous news reports about the prevalence and attitudes among teens towards certain types of sexual behavior, and is intended to engage readers in this real-life issue in a responsible and constructive fashion.

Paul Ruditis wrote his book for kids fourteen and older, supposedly discussing "timeless issues" relevant to teens.

Simon & Schuster's summary sounds like it addresses teen sexuality in a mannner that is sensitive and educational, with information that will help teens deal with the issue. On the surface, that appears appropriate enough. Dig a little deeper and one may have a different reaction.

From FOX:

A "rainbow party" is described as a gathering of boys and girls where the participants engage in group oral sex. Each girl wears a different colored lipstick to leave their mark on each boy.

...Harvard psychiatry professor Alvin Poussaint said the book sends the wrong message.

"I think a lot of parents don't want their children exposed to such an explicit book," Poussaint said. "I don't think it's probably the best way to introduce a young person to the risks of engaging in certain types of sexual behavior."

I question whether this book is really intended to be a "cautionary tale," as Simon & Schuster claims, or meant to be thinly-veiled porn aimed at a teen audience. The sensationalist nature of the "rainbow party" goes beyond dealing with the realities of teens and their sexual behavior. This is the titillating story of a teen orgy, not a morality play.

In Michelle Malkin's column, "'Educational' Smut for Kids," she relays the comments Ruditis made to Publisher's Weekly.

"Part of me doesn't understand why people don't want to talk about [oral sex]," he said. "Kids are having sex and they are actively engaged in oral sex and think it's not really sex. I raised questions in my book and I hope that parents and children or teachers and students can open a topic of conversation through it. Rainbow parties are such an interesting topic. It's such a childlike way to look at such an adult subject with rainbow colors."

I wonder if Ruditis is a parent. To me, he sounds more like a fourteen year old looking forward to attending a rainbow party himself rather than a responsible adult seeking to provide teens with a warning about such activity. Ruditis' claim, "It's such a childlike way to look at such an adult subject with rainbow colors," is really creepy. I wouldn't call rainbow parties an "interesting topic." Disturbing and shocking--yes. Interesting--no.

I agree with Dr. Poussaint. The book, with its graphic depictions of sex acts and its abundance of profanity, sends the wrong message to kids.

Ruditis goes way over the rainbow. I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore.