Sexual Politics vs. Cancer - Saving Lives or Proving Points
Sex and politics - what an amazing combination!
The Washington post reports that a soon to be released vaccine virtually eliminates two types of cervical cancer has met an unexpected objection - political conservatives.
Once again, the war against sexual promiscuity is raising an interesting ethical question - which commandment is more important - thou shalt not kill or thou shalt not commit adultery?
Some people are arguing that innoculating teenagers against cervical cancer, which is commonly caused by a sexually-transmitted virus, actually encourages sexual activity.
Don't get me wrong - I'm all for sexual abstinence before marriage and sexual fidelity within it...
But those that make this claim have clearly never talked to a teenager about sex. Those who can get kids to talk about sex find that teens are worried about sex in two areas:
First, getting pregnant.
Second, getting STD's.
Aha - the proponents of this argument claim - there it is, STD's.
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But when you ask kids about what STD's they're worried about you're going to hear HIV/AIDs, gonorrhea, syphilis, and herpes. Maybe if you've got a really bright one, you'll hear about chlamydia. But I can virtually guarantee you, you're not going to hear Cervical Cancer.
They don't make the connection now, they won't make it when they get the shot. This is simply one of those areas where the thoughts are too scary, the details too gross, and the willingness to discuss too low.
For a kid, cervical cancer is just another one of those mysterious STD's that don't seem to be important enough to prevent many of them from some extracurricular sexual activity.
So, let's face the facts as they really are. Giving this vaccine won't make a bit of difference in the sexual activity of kids. Period.
But hopefully, it'll save some of their lives. Come on guys, choose your battles!
