Teens and young adults are the most “at risk” of contracting a STI or HIV/AIDS. Therefore, there should be more resources available to teens that are sexually active. If teens were more aware of the specific consequences of the various STIs they would be more enticed and motivated to use protection. This issue is also very gender based. Aside from the various facts, such as, women are three times more likely to contract HIV, the issue presses deeper, into issues within society: the double standard. When it comes to sexuality, women are raised to protect their purity until marriage, while men are raised to pursue and access as much “experience” as possible. However, when conception and proper protection are presented, the most convenient solution lies within the male’s authority. Men receive more pleasure without a condom than with one. Therefore, most men would rather not use one; by combining this lack of desired necessity and the pressure/ motive to sleep with as many women as he can, the spread of STIs and HIV are eminent.
The show, 16 and Pregnant, can do a much better job of providing more information about STIs and HIV/AIDS. Whether it be through certain commercial advertisements (through condoms, birth control, etc.), the cast members can be asked certain questions, such as “When you weren’t using a condom, besides the risk of getting pregnant, did the thought of contracting a STI or HIV ever cross either of your minds?”
Here is an article I found with six steps to help decrease the spread of STIs and HIV throughout adolescence:
Portia K.
in my opinion education is the key to preventing young adults and teens from contracting HIV/AIDS or STIs. Although I do believe that the listed steps are also crucial to teaching our youth how to educate themselves about their bodies. Being about to speak comfortably with doctors or other professionals will increase their understanding of what is being taught to them and how to ask the appropriate questions. During my health class in high school I remember being too uncomfortable to ask questions and having many unanswered questions. Therefore I was left to research my questions where I not always got a reliable and factual information, like many young adults.
ReplyDeleteKristi H.
I think that it is important to destigmatize sex and sexuality before we can even begin to deconstruct the access and agency in perchasing contraception. I do agree with you that there is a cultural double standard in which women are taught that thier sexuality must be protected and gaurded and also that it is deviant and men are taught that thier sexuality is promiscous and unfocused. Both of these stereotypes are harmful to young persons when exploring thier sexuality. They are less likely to purchase contraception due to the stigma attatched to epressing something that is supposed to be tamed or uneducated.
ReplyDeleteAlso there should be free controception everywhere. And comprehensive sex ed.
brittany W.
I would have to agree with you Portia because if the teens really know information about the STIs and HIV they would not take the risk. I was taught by my mother “don’t trust anyone with your body but yourself". I feel like was had a advantage over these teens because i was able to have the knowledge and was able to ask questions about sex and STIs. I also did research on them and saw the graphic pictures of what it would look like. From these pictures you can only imagine what it would actually feel like. One thing about it this is a serious public health issue, so instead of making it stereotypically about gender we need to attach this situation at a epidemic that needs to be stopped. I would agree that the 6 steps would help but only to a certain extent. So, no can we look at sex-ed and ask the question, How affective do you think your program is? And how can we really stop all this from occurring within our society.
ReplyDeleteIndia M.
I think everyone has made really good points and the course of action is a clear one it has just become the road less traveled to protect our bodies from STIs. All semester we have been saying that the biggest problem is the lack of information that teens access before making sexually-based decisions. India mentioned the pictures of STIs and almost every school will show teenagers the ugly side of unprotected sex. However, there is a quality that many teens posess... they believe that they are untouchable. I think that 16 & pregnant opens a lot of information doors to viewers but I agree with Portia that they should be doing more to educate about STIs and other topics (like one of our last discussions about midwifes and the drugs used during labor).
ReplyDeleteMegan Z
I agree completely with each of your comments. You all brought up other issues that I had not mentioned. Yes, (to Brittany) there should be free contraception available everywhere, and less of a stigma attached to teens wanting or being curious about sex. If I were a parent, adult, teacher, store clerk,or whomever, it would comfort me to see a teen taking the initiative and precaution of protecting his or her self from the possible harms of sex, by buying condoms; as opposed to sneaking around and participating in sexual activity blindly and ignorant to the risks at hand.
ReplyDeletePortia K.
Also, in response to India, it is very beneficial for you to have had such a strong relationship with your mother, to the point where you were comfortable with talking to her about sex. I feel that parents should definitely take action and make it their duty to have "The Talk" with their children first, because otherwise the only knowledge provided for them is from television and their peers. For me, my mother was very understanding and open, yet firm, when she approached me with "The Talk." It is important for parents to approach the matter with sincerity and delicacy, because the mother's or father's response will determine how comfortable it is for their child to discuss the matter with them for future reference.
ReplyDeleteThis message isn't just for parents, but anyone who a teen might feel comfortable with talking about their sexuality with. If teens felt more comfortable to talk about it, more teens would look to use contraception, and take more precaution of owning and sustaining his/her bodily health.
Portia K.