Would you like to hear my newest rant? Well, it does involve a highly controversial subject. Sex. Better yet, contraceptives. So here I am, in the state of ignorance - sorry, I meant Utah - reading about the same old things in the news. Well, surprise, the subject of banning talk of contraception in schools is being pushed through the system.
As of right now, at least in the state of Utah, schools have the right to choose as a district whether or not to talk about contraception, although they may NOT advocate their use. Many states do not require by law that schools teach any type of sex ed. Do I think that smart? No! Although I will get to that later. As I look it up, I see that only roughly 5 states require a sex ed AND talk of contraception and prevention. From my short-term memory, about 40 didn't even require a sexual education course at all.
I have a couple problems with trying to ban talk of contraceptives.
1.) They wish to promote only abstinence. Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of abstinence, but let's look at some reality. Teenagers. Have. Sex. Yes, yes - gasp. So yes, promote abstinence, but don't be IGNORANT and think just because you say it that people will listen to you. Doing so is bound to cause a thousand more problems than it solves. Abstinence is a thing that I personally believe in because I respect myself and my body. I don't feel like bringing a child in or giving the future love of my life herpes, or worse - telling them that I have herpes. (I don't have herpes - abstinence, remember?)
2.) People are SO worried about their tax dollars covering the education in the schools. Here is my question to them. Would you rather it paid their doctor bills when they get pregnant? So when they drop out of high school and start living on welfare (ahem, the government - your tax dollars) you get to pay for their food, medical bills, housing, clothing and other essentials. As well as the babies needs. Then there is the pregnancy itself - you have to have a lot of check ups, and yes, you help pay for that too. Even better is if your money goes towards their doctor visits when they are spreading herpes, AIDS, syphilis, gonorrhea.. So go ahead, tell me how much you'll save as your son's girlfriend - with syphilis or herpes because at some point somebody didn't use a contraception that might have stopped it - gives the herpes to him. Then as he gives it to his next girlfriend, and on and on.
3.) Many people have this one argument for not teaching about contraceptives and only promoting abstinence; that "Contraception doesn't always work, abstinence is is the only way to be completely safe." Yes, you're right. That said, I file this under the 'Turning a Blind Eye' and 'Ignorance' files. Once again, I would like to ensure you that I am in no way saying to promote sex or contraception, but the truth is that people will still have sex. If you do not have sex, you don't have to worry, but people do have sex. So why don't we teach them what methods are available to prevent AIDS, Herpes, Pregnancy.. The list goes on.
4.) Lastly, this law would force parents to talk to their children about sex and contraception. This is a problem because not every parent can do that. Parents and teenagers are uncomfortable with this subject which can make it hard to get information. Parents do need to inform their children, but many parents will avoid the subject. In doing this, the results may be even more detrimental than expected. It expects the parents to do something that they may not do.
If you would like to know what got me off on this subject please go to Salt Lake Tribune. Now, what do you think?
Curiously, FyreDancer911
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