Abstinence — how’s that workin’ for ya?

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New York Times

The first national study of four common sexually transmitted diseases among girls and young women has found that one in four are infected with at least one of the diseases, federal health officials reported Tuesday.

Nearly half the African-Americans in the study of teenagers ages 14 to 19 were infected with at least one of the diseases monitored in the study — human papillomavirus (HPV), chlamydia, genital herpes and trichomoniasis, a common parasite.

That’s 25% folks, even higher for African-American teen girls.  Helloooo…?  Not telling our kids about sex, how it works, the risks, and how to protect themselves — in other words, abstinence-only — DOES NOT WORK.

Among the infected women, 15 percent had more than one of the diseases.

Women may be unaware they are infected. But the diseases, which are infections caused by bacteria, viruses and parasites, can produce acute symptoms like irritating vaginal discharge, painful pelvic inflammatory disease and potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy. The infections can also lead to longterm ailments like infertility and cervical cancer.

Makes you long for the “good old days” when no one had sex before marriage.  Yeah, I’m joking.

The president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Cecile Richards, said the new findings “emphasize the need for real comprehensive sex education.”

“The national policy of promoting abstinence-only programs is a $1.5 billion failure,” Ms. Richards said, “and teenage girls are paying the real price.”

That’s what this administration does best.  Dream up an insanely stupid plan, throw billions of dollars at it, and then ignore the situation until it’s completely out of control.

Federal health officials recommend annual screening tests to detect chlamydia for sexually active women younger than 25. The disease agency also recommends that women ages 11 to 26 be fully vaccinated against HPV.

Excellent idea.  Getting our girls vaccinated against HPV will save them from the type of cervical cancer caused by HPV.  Anyone who says vaccinating girls against HPV is “giving them permission to have sex,” lives in a dream world.  I wonder how many young women who saved themselves for their wedding night acquire an STD from their brand new, and equally clueless, husband?

The Food and Drug Administration has said in a report that latex condoms are “highly effective” at preventing infection by chlamydia, trichomoniasis, H.I.V., gonorrhea and hepatitis B.

The agency noted that condoms seemed less effective against genital herpes and syphilis. Protection against human papillomavirus “is partial at best,” the report said.

I’ve said this before, and it’s worth saying again:  Education is the key.  Parents, educate yourselves so you can educate your children.  Things have changed since syphilis and gonorrhea.   Create an atmosphere in your home where your children feel free to talk to you, and where you notice if your children have gone quiet.

Fund comprehensive sex education in the schools.  Some children simply will not get the information they need at home, this is a reality.  Ignorance has an effect on all of us.

Teaching abstinence and responsibility to our children is fine, there’s nothing wrong with encouraging children to wait until they are emotionally ready for sex — but education cannot and should not stop there.  Look at where it’s gotten us…

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Tags: Abstinence Only, Zooey @ TPZoo