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It’s been an interesting spring and summer. America's icons and pop culture taught me a new chapter about sex:

From the chaste conventions of 19^th century courting life, displayed in the Jane Austin series on WHYY TV, where one kiss equated to serious intentions...

To the sharp contrast of foxy modern women living a New York City life style in TV series turned movie, Sex in the City...

Punctuated with the latest release of a long line of Barbie dolls.

My cringe factor surfaced after watching the daily frolics of Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and especially Samantha in the popular flick, and after scanning the advertisements of newly-released "Black Canary Barbie" who sports black fishnet stockings and leather body suit.

Did racy Samantha wrap her romps around the minds of any teens in the movie seats? Will previously-released "Cat Woman Barbie," decked out in black leather bustier and whip, sprout alter egos for the second-grader set on the playgrounds?

Dismayed, I put all three in the context of the profound lyrics of “Clouds,” composed and sung by folk music icon, Joni Mitchell.

Oh not that old song, you say.

Joni says, “I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now - and still somehow - I really don’t know love at all.”

Cloud gazing and sensual loving spin an ethereal experience that can indicate weather conditions or relationship status, yet neither guarantees accuracy long-term.

Equally, setting up eight-to-ten-year-olds to dress as tarts doesn't yield accuracy long-term for their forthcoming social life. Promoting a skewed fantasy to still impressionable 14-to-22 girlfriends guarantees confusion.

The retail toy industry hints that eight-year-olds can’t learn about adult sensations too soon. Consequently, encouraging the half-pints to identify in play with vixen Barbie outfits works the sweet fiscal bottom line.

The SITC chick flick hints that whether into dating escapades or cuddles of a joined-at-the-hip relationship, a foxy girl can sashay through life if her clothes are cut according to luscious designer patterns - an odd picture to offer wide-eyeds in jeans and tank tops.

Sure, Joni might not know, but neither do our corporate retail and media leaders who don't give a hoot about quality role models for the lives of little girls and young women.

Between the mighty prim Jane Austin in one corner and ultra wench Barbie and the NYC super chicks in the other, I say, can't the moguls market a happy medium?
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Clouds
by Joni Mitchell

Rows and flows of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
I've looked at clouds that way

But now they only block the sun
They rain and snow on everyone
So many things I would have done
But clouds got in my way

I've looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down, and still somehow
It's cloud illusions I recall
I really don't know clouds at all.

Moons and Junes and ferris wheels
The dizzy dancing way you feel
As every fairy tale comes real
I've looked at love that way

But now it's just another show
You leave 'em laughing when you go
And if you care, don't let them know
Don't give yourself away

I've looked at love from both sides now
From give and take, and still somehow
It's love's illusions I recall
I really don't know love at all

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