Letters to the Editor
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Condom education issues
Obviously there are are a whole bunch of factors at work here- much as I would love to blame the abstinence only folks- and they clearly deserve some of the blame. But is probably as much a matter of social (cultural, economic) circumstances as it is the sex-ed young people are receiving.
One thing I thought about reading this article was all of the evidence now in - from the UN reports, etc- that overall education access to young girls reduces family size and improves all over reproductive health. Perhaps the rising tide of teen pregnancies has to do with the decreasing access to *quality* education overall. If your education is poor your overall chances for success are clearly diminished. Life choices are more circumscribed.
Now of course the UN studies and such are concerned with developing countries. But we can see our public infrastructure melting down -across the board- think of the debacle that is Katrina and the aftermath for only one example.
Anyway, is our children learning? No, a many are not. And I think it is beyond sex-ed which is important, but overall education for kids, boys and girls, is key.
Another factor, I think, is sex-ed itself. Perhaps the an unintended consequence of the focus on STD transmission, particularly, HIV/AIDS has led to the overshadowing of the pregnancy prevention message. As important as STD/STI prevention is- I think in the real world application, hetero people look around and see little evidence of HIV risk. Because there really isn't much risk. There is plenty of risk when it comes to others STIs like herpes or HPV - which are very unpleasant and in some cases dangerous- but except for the possibility of cervical cancer, non-life threatening.
I think the risk of HIV/AIDS has been hyped to less at risk groups. Obviously it should be discussed and I think the importance of safer sex should be hammered home. The conversation should be at once more inclusive and targeted. We need to be more honest and open about what the actual risks and problems are and help people of all ages address them practically.