Great Moments in Kentucky Stereotyping

by Becky

Let me say that, as a native Kentuckian, I am infinitely comfortable with our many backwards stereotypes, be they totally absurd or somewhat representative.

Here, have a clip from the fantastic 1995 movie Clueless.



Okay, you might not think Clueless is fantastic, but to my preteen self, it was pretty earth-shattering. Even if I didn't get all the jokes.

Just in case you don't want to sit through a minute and a half of schmoopy heartfelt conversation, I'll save you the hassle:

Josh confesses that he likes Cher. They share an awkward yet somehow, romantic kiss. Cher says, "Well, you can guess what happened next." Cut to a scene at a wedding where we, the (probably preteen and somewhat confused) audience assume Josh and Cher get hitched.

Cher says, "As if! I am only 16 and this is California, not Kentucky."

Even as a 13 year old, this made me giggle.

But let's do a little research. According to the US Census Bureau, the median age at first marriage in Kentucky in 2010 was 27.1 for men and 25.4 for the ladies. In California, it was 29.4 for dudes and 27.2 for females.

So, yeah, we do tend to pair up a little earlier in the Bluegrass State. But Kentucky isn't even in the top five states for the youngest average age at first marriage. Those are: Kansas, Utah, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Idaho.

But I guess that "This is California, not Oklahoma," just wasn't as catchy.