I find that it's helpful to look at this this way. We don't ask teens to wear seat belts because we are encouraging them to drive fast, we ask them to wear seat belts in the frightening situation that there is an accident.
When considering contraceptives, it's best to provide youth with the full range of information to protect themselves against teen pregnancy, STI's, and HIV/AIDS. We are not encouraging them to have sex in any way, but rather preparing them to protect themselves, educating them to make informed decisions about their bodies so they can become the future leaders they are destined to be.
Most schools begin teaching about sex-ed in middle school and throughout high school. So if children do have access to age-appropriate comprehensive sex-ed, including information about abstinence and contraceptives, naturally this would be the best time to talk to them about sex, and contraceptives if it hasn't already come up in conversation. This becomes difficult however when schools do not provide sex ed, and when parents do not feel comfortable talking about it with their children. This is the case in the South, where we have some of the highest numbers of teen pregnancies, STI's and HIV/AIDS in the nation.
I was 16 when my parents first provided me with the opportunity to go on the pill. Perhaps it is important to keep in mind I was raised in the Midwest. I went on it to benefit my skin rather than because I was sexually active. Still, when I did become sexually active soon after, I was already protected and had the information I needed to be safe.
Fast forward 10 years later, I now have a son who is 2, and I am already thinking about how I want him to feel as comfortable about his sexuality as I did growing up. Sexuality is in fact, a part of who we are. It only makes sense that we learn about that part of ourselves, and protect that part of ourselves.
If I had a daughter I would think that 16 would be a good time to introduce the pill because it was for me. However if she expressed interest in it sooner, it would be flexible :)
Overall, since abstinence is not the reality for many teens, contraceptives are the best, and smartest option to protect youth. Condoms should be free at any health department. There is always somewhere in the community where providing access to the information youth need.
Comment Reply
I find that it's helpful to look at this this way. We don't ask teens to wear seat belts because we are encouraging them to drive fast, we ask them to wear seat belts in the frightening situation that there is an accident.
When considering contraceptives, it's best to provide youth with the full range of information to protect themselves against teen pregnancy, STI's, and HIV/AIDS. We are not encouraging them to have sex in any way, but rather preparing them to protect themselves, educating them to make informed decisions about their bodies so they can become the future leaders they are destined to be.
Most schools begin teaching about sex-ed in middle school and throughout high school. So if children do have access to age-appropriate comprehensive sex-ed, including information about abstinence and contraceptives, naturally this would be the best time to talk to them about sex, and contraceptives if it hasn't already come up in conversation. This becomes difficult however when schools do not provide sex ed, and when parents do not feel comfortable talking about it with their children. This is the case in the South, where we have some of the highest numbers of teen pregnancies, STI's and HIV/AIDS in the nation.
I was 16 when my parents first provided me with the opportunity to go on the pill. Perhaps it is important to keep in mind I was raised in the Midwest. I went on it to benefit my skin rather than because I was sexually active. Still, when I did become sexually active soon after, I was already protected and had the information I needed to be safe.
Fast forward 10 years later, I now have a son who is 2, and I am already thinking about how I want him to feel as comfortable about his sexuality as I did growing up. Sexuality is in fact, a part of who we are. It only makes sense that we learn about that part of ourselves, and protect that part of ourselves.
If I had a daughter I would think that 16 would be a good time to introduce the pill because it was for me. However if she expressed interest in it sooner, it would be flexible :)
Overall, since abstinence is not the reality for many teens, contraceptives are the best, and smartest option to protect youth. Condoms should be free at any health department. There is always somewhere in the community where providing access to the information youth need.
January 4, 2012 - 11:00pmThis Comment
Reply