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"Liberal Lee"
...Does Dr. Cherry Lee have something against marriage or something? It seems as if "Young & Single" is promoting single life instead of the sanctity of marriage.... I don't want my kids exposed to such liberal thinking on such things as sex and marriage.... -Steven S., Orlando, Florida.
Although we don't always agree with the ideas of those who write for CyberCollege and the InternetCampus, we do support the concept of allowing a free expression of ideas (including yours).
Actually, Dr. Lee speaks in some detail about marriage, and she explains why most prefer this state to single life. Here is one quote to that effect:
- ....even though, statistically speaking, "the security of marriage" isn't all that secure any more, there is still something about the spiritual and legal commitment represented by marriage which the vast majority of people prefer .
According the a survey published in USA Today, married persons report being more satisfied than singles in four key areas of their lives: spiritually, professionally, materially, and emotionally. In many cases this is level of happiness and satisfaction is reversed when children enter the picture, however.
It should also be noted that among singles there are significantly more people with personal problems that both keeps them from leading satisfactory lives and forming lasting relationships.
About half of the adult population is single. Dr. Lee feels that issues related to this segment—a segment that she often sees in her work—are particularly important.
As far as the sexual content of Dr. Lee's writing, we know that some people would prefer that these things not be discussed. However, in today's world, where the TV shows young people clearly prefer to watch feature sex—generally between people who are not married—this both unrealistic and, considering the prevalence of sexual disease, dangerous.
And, if someone with a professional perspective doesn't present this, then young people will be "educated" about sex from their peers and from unrealistic media treatments.
Materials at CyberCollege are intended for readers who are mature enough to deal with the issues presented.
Many experts agree that "protecting" young people from this kind of information and giving them a chance to discuss it with an open-minded adult can have bad results—especially if they can't, in their words, "talk about stuff like that" with their parents. You can find a summary of studies and expert opinions on this subject here.
To cite one information related example, the recent drop in teen pregnancy and AIDS among most groups in the United States has been largely attributed to sex education—notwithstanding the strong opposition from some groups about making information about safe sex and contraception available to young people. (The only exception to these drops is associated with religious groups that forbid such things.) Frederick "Fog" Horne discusses that here.
Liberal? Maybe, but compared to what? Ever look at MTV, one of the main sources of programming for young people? (Many people, including myself, would prefer not to!) But compared to much of the programming on TV that young people regularly see, Dr. Lee's ideas seem downright moralistic.
To maintain a site devoid of material designed to spark healthy and thought-provoking debate and discussion would not only be unrealistic in today's world, but would severely limit the authors' ability to reach mature students and adults with relevant ideas and issues. Even so, you will note warnings on certain sections of Dr. Lee's writings
At the same time, I should note that I have actively sought conservative writers—even to the point of offering them columns.
Even though they may have initially been enthusiastic, various serious problems emerged. These included major writing deficiencies, inability to follow through, and the tendency to make insupportable emotional statements, some of which could have resulted in a libel suit. In one case after working with a writer for about two months and even having the column set up, he admitted that he had "borrowed" much of the content.
Possibly I'm prejudiced toward people I personally know. At this point the only contributors that I have not met in person are those living in other countries that do the translations.
