NEW YORK CITY—It's almost a matter of pride among conservatives that their kids—especially the female ones—are kept as ignorant about all things sexual as they can manage, or that modern society will allow. After all, several states don't require any sex education for the kids in school, and several more only allow "abstinence ed," which is to say, nothing useful.
So perhaps it shouldn't be much of a surprise that the conservative news/blogosphere has gotten its panties all in a twist over the fact that during NBC's "countdown to New Year's," popular model/NYE host Chrissy Teigen happened to mention very briefly that she's tried "vaginal steaming"—and that all those conservative parents who let their kids stay up late as the year changed from ’18 to ’19 got a tiny earful of a term that they quite obviously didn't understand, but since it had the word "vaginal" in it, it must be bad. Even worse, it was said on TV.
For those not "in the know," "vaginal steaming" is defined as "an alternative health treatment whereby a woman squats or sits over steaming water containing herbs such as mugwort, rosemary, wormwood, and basil," and that "It gained popularity in 2015 after actress Gwyneth Paltrow hailed its benefits." Not everyone's on board with the supposed health benefits of the practice, however; most notably Women's Health magazine.
"[T]hose herbs in the pot—you just don't know how they're going to affect your vagina. You might be totally fine, or your vagina might get seriously irritated by them," wrote Korin Miller on the magazine's website last June. "Then there's the whole thing about how the vagina literally cleans itself. A healthy vagina has bacteria that helps keep the vaginal pH at the right level, but disrupting this environment (through steaming, douching, etc.) can actually increase the risk of infection," she added, quoting women's health expert Dr. Jennifer Wider.
But during the broadcast, the subject was barely mentioned. Seems that for some reason, with midnight still 15 minutes away, NBC ran a photo from Chrissy's Instagram of her busily steaming her vagina and not looking overly happy about it), with Chrissy then providing the simple commentary, “Yeah, I like to steam my vag,” but when she attempted to explain, almost inaudibly, what that involved, co-host Carson Daly cut her off with the supposedly humorous "You should be in prison," and nothing more was said on the subject.
But according to Breitbart News' Josh Caplan, the broadcast "has drawn a firestorm of criticism" as "Hordes of angry viewers took to Twitter to express their dismay over NBC’s coverage as Chrissy Teigen discussed the so-called age-old cleansing remedy in New York City’s Times Square, with some labeling the broadcast a 'train-wreck,' while others demanded apologies." (Dang, trains sure do wreck easily these days...)
"Ok, now, really? My 9-yr-old son does not need to hear about Chrissy's vaginal steaming. Please god, someone resurrect Dick Clark…." tweeted Mindibeth Wynne.
"Just watched the nbc special! My children boys are now asking me what vaginal steaming is! Feeling horrifically disgusted! An apology is needed and Chrissy needs to! So unbelievably embarassed! Wow, this a new low! Shame on you NBC!" wrote Wisconsin Mommy, who apparently will NOT be the one providing that "birds 'n' bees" discussion in the family.
"AND @NBC showed a photo of said vaginal steaming. What the hell is wrong with you people?? How is this family appropriate? I’m confused…" posted Holly Grisham.
And finally, someone else tweeted, "Whenever you think our society isn’t making some kind of progress, remember the time a major network pre-approved a Chrissy Teigen to discuss a photo of her doing vaginal steaming on a NYE broadcast. What a time to be alive #2019Mood"
YEAH! Go NBC!!!
