Opinion: I like it on the floor

Mothers everywhere have been wondering what college has done to their daughters, or so I imagine.   

Choking back tears, they’ve expressed their frustration similar to this: “She went away a Glee-watching, bestie-hugging, Nicholas Sparks-reading angel, and now she’s posting ‘I like it on the floor’ as her Facebook status.

Why would I agree to send her to that liberal cesspool anyway? I blame her father.”

Don’t worry, mom. It’s not what you think. I promise.

During the past few weeks, women across the country have been posting “I like it on [the floor, the chair, the kitchen counter, etc.]” in their Facebook status bars.

But these suggestive statuses aren’t nearly as scandalous as they seem. Contrary to initial assumption, these women are, in fact, referring to where they like to put their purses once they get home.  

This status actually has noble intentions. It’s part of a Facebook campaign to raise awareness for breast cancer research. It’s designed to grab the attention of both men and women and get them asking questions. But it has a few flaws.

First, it’s ambiguous and requires interpretation. So, it’s likely this message of awareness and advocacy is going over the heads of half the population.

Namely, men. Guys just aren’t always that sharp.

Ladies, you know this; you tell us all the time.

Why launch a publicity campaign to raise awareness for breast cancer that requires individuals to investigate the multiple meanings of a specific phrase and to determine which one is most appropriate and accurate for the given context?

Here’s a general rule of thumb: If it takes more than three seconds for a guy to figure something out, he’s already moved on.

While this status certainly raises eyebrows, it might not raise true awareness. And a recent study suggests that it certainly doesn’t raise money either.

Of the more than 350 nonprofit organizations that focus on breast cancer, none has reported an increase in donations as a result of this campaign.

While the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation, which is responsible for those well-recognized pink ribbons and numerous other fund-raising efforts, did see an increase in visits to its website in January (the last time such a campaign was launched) they did not witness a surge in donations.

And that’s disheartening. Because breast cancer research certainly needs public attention, but it needs money even more.

However, there are online campaigns that succeed in raising those much needed funds.

For example, the Komen foundation launched its own online campaign (#fightbreastcancer) that directs individuals to 69-seconds.org, where they can make pledges or become directly involved in breast cancer organizations.

This campaign has proved itself as much clearer and much more fruitful in its contribution to the fight against breast cancer than innuendo-ridden Facebook statuses.

So while you’re free to do what you want with your status, if you really want to make a difference, and not just a bold statement, there might be better ways to do it.

And, your mom would sleep a whole lot easier at night.


Email: tycherne@indiana.edu