Sometimes, being a sexuality educator is a pain.

I’m talking about the inconvenience of grappling with the lyrics of holiday songs playing 24/7 this time of year.

Take “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.” Some people love it. Some people say it’s a song about coercion or date rape. And some feminists actually argue that the song is about society’s pressures on women and what others will think if she stays the night, but that she ultimately ends up doing what she chooses anyway.

Whichever side you’re on, one thing is for sure. Sixty years after the original release of this song, women still face societal pressures that are different from men, and women are still singing about it.

Kacey Musgrave’s song “Follow Your Arrow” includes lyrics about women feeling pressure about issues like sex, body image and alcohol use. The song received the 2013 Song of the Year Award at the Country Music Awards, and Kacey ended up in the Top 30 country artists of 2013 (http://www.billboard.com/charts/2013/year-end).

Guys face pressure, too.

I mean, just look at poor Santa in “Santa Baby.” If he wants all of Eartha Kitt’s (or Madonna’s or Taylor Swift’s … ) charms and affections, it’s gonna cost him a bundle in cars, real estate and jewelry. It’s a timeless stereotype.

Just the other day at the grocery store, my husband and I were discussing which wreath to purchase, and a man came up to him and said, “Just get what she wants. Never argue with a woman over what she wants to buy.”

Before you disregard this whole article as silly, consider this. In his book, “Blink,” Malcom Gladwell discusses at length the research from Harvard about our implicit attitudes. Turns out it’s scientifically proven that our brains categorize things quickly into stereotypical categories — even when we consciously don’t believe in those stereotypes. (To check out these tests and take one, go here: https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/selectatest.html).

What does it all mean?

Even if we think we don’t believe all the stereotypes in those holiday songs, a part of our brain often does. And that can affect our actions, even if we don’t want it to. In order to change our first, instantaneous impressions when we see or hear something, it takes a conscious, concerted effort to change our associations. We have to actively work to literally change our minds.

So, what do we do?

We’ve got to be on our toes, people!

While you’re out there shopping till you drop, remember to consciously drop a couple of stereotypes along the way.

While you’re trimming your tree, trim some inadvertent sexist language from your vocabulary.

While you’re baking up a storm, burn a few old attitudes that no longer serve you.

And while you’re singing along to holiday songs?

Notice where you’re out of tune and strive for harmony.

Happy holidays.

Federal Way resident Amy Johnson, MSW, is a trainer, educator and coach in the Pacific Northwest. She is co-author of the books, “Parenting by Strengths: A Parent’s Guide for Challenging Situations” and “Homegrown Faith and Justice.” Amy facilitates classes and workshops in the Puget Sound area and online. She specializes in working with parents and in sexuality education. Amy can be reached at comments@diligentjoy.com