A Necessary “Evil”
| By FEM - Mar 6th, 2006 at 9:00 pm EST |
Human papillomavirus, or HPV, includes many strains of sexually transmitted viruses that can cause anything from genital warts to cervical cancer. The large majority of sexually active adults contract at least one strain of HPV during their lifetime and most people express no symptoms and continue to infect others. Two strains of HPV are responsible for a vast majority of cervical cancer cases. HPV is highly transmittable and spreads by skin to skin contact, not bodily fluids. Therefore, condoms only offer some protection against HPV
There has been much research and funding for the development of a vaccine that prevents a great deal of HPV-related cervical cancers. If approved, these vaccines would be in clinics within the next few years. They would be administered to young women before they become sexually active, which has created a problem for many.
For example, certain US religious groups have been opposing the vaccine, praising abstinence as the best way to prevent HPV. Others are saying that this type of vaccine would allow young women to think that it's acceptable to have premarital sex. Either way, this vaccine has been met with a lot of opposition for something that is desperately needed.
What I find appalling is the conservative's willingness to disregard their children's health to make a point about said conservatism. Premarital sex happens. These daughters will be, if they aren't already, sexual beings. Trying to prevent a very useful vaccine from being distributed and putting today's youth in jeopardy seems highly blind of these religious groups. Some parents are willing to oppose the HPV vaccine for fear that it will create the need to speak to their children about sex at an earlier age. So what? Chances are that they've already heard about it from their peers, from the media, or from other adults. There is a very distinct difference between teaching your children to be intelligent decision makers and taking their opportunity for good health away from them.
The fact that sexual health education remains taboo in certain communities and social circles poses a threat to public health; keeping quiet about diseases like HPV, HIV, and other sexually transmitted infections does nothing to prevent them. Not teaching your children honestly about sexual health will inevitably make matters worse.
There has been much research and funding for the development of a vaccine that prevents a great deal of HPV-related cervical cancers. If approved, these vaccines would be in clinics within the next few years. They would be administered to young women before they become sexually active, which has created a problem for many.
For example, certain US religious groups have been opposing the vaccine, praising abstinence as the best way to prevent HPV. Others are saying that this type of vaccine would allow young women to think that it's acceptable to have premarital sex. Either way, this vaccine has been met with a lot of opposition for something that is desperately needed.
What I find appalling is the conservative's willingness to disregard their children's health to make a point about said conservatism. Premarital sex happens. These daughters will be, if they aren't already, sexual beings. Trying to prevent a very useful vaccine from being distributed and putting today's youth in jeopardy seems highly blind of these religious groups. Some parents are willing to oppose the HPV vaccine for fear that it will create the need to speak to their children about sex at an earlier age. So what? Chances are that they've already heard about it from their peers, from the media, or from other adults. There is a very distinct difference between teaching your children to be intelligent decision makers and taking their opportunity for good health away from them.
The fact that sexual health education remains taboo in certain communities and social circles poses a threat to public health; keeping quiet about diseases like HPV, HIV, and other sexually transmitted infections does nothing to prevent them. Not teaching your children honestly about sexual health will inevitably make matters worse.
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But not that kind of law. Link
These laws require schools to notify parents in writing if the curriculum for sexual education does not include teaching about contraceptives and preventing STDs and pregnancies.
Parents have a right to know if their tax dollars are being used for indoctrinating without educating. Teaching about how to prevent disease transmission should be a no-brainer. Unfortunately, too many of those that manage our educational policies are themselves no-brainers.