August 1st, 2008
Should not Wear Revealing Clothes but Promote Rubber
I don't know how to start this. My mind is still screaming from last night's small debate.
My
husband asked me how I feel about Miley Cyrus (aka Hannah Montana)
promoting condoms. He said he thinks it is a good idea to educate young
people in America about having safe sex. Young people are mostly swayed
by Hollywood figures. I am sure most of us have heard of those seven
high school students in Gloucester, Massachusetts who got pregnant
shortly after Jamie Lynn Spears went public with her big bump.
So
my husband's point of view is simple: why not have someone like Miley
Cyrus who is adored by a million young Americans (and who seems to have
a wholesome image) to promote safe sex among young generation.
I
said, if I were Miley or her parents I would not take the offer. Why
not? Because a young girl of 15 (or 16) should not be condoning
premarital sex at all.
He said, "but young ones will have sex".
And saying kids will not have sex is being in denial and naive.
Teaching them to use condoms is being responsible and will prevent
pregnancy. Since kids can't help experimenting and exploring, they
should be at least responsible enough to use a protection.
Fine, I
see where he is coming from. However, just because a father had great
sex in his car with his sweet girlfriend when he was 15 should not be
handing out rubbers to his kids because it is the way to be safe and
responsible.
Certainly, I would not mind telling my children the
facts (and fiction) about sex but I would not promote the use of any
protection. And why not? Again, premarital sex should not be condoned
especially among the young generation.
When I was in high school, we
had countless lectures on sex and its effects. Yes, the use of condoms
among others was mentioned. But did that mean sex was promoted? No.
Those lectures even made us more aware of the numerous sexually
transmitted diseases and infections one could get despite the use of
protection. Pregnancy was even the least of our concerns.
I think
that parents and educators should be more responsible than just telling
the children about the use of protection. If say, Miley Cyrus should
endorse some condom brand, the company should at least educate the
youth that using a rubber is not safe - it is only safer than not using
any rubber at all. The safest way is to stay away from promiscuity.
I
don't want to lecture the emotional and psychological effects of
premarital sex on a young and even on not so young individual. I don't
think I am the right person to do that.
My friend and (unofficial
for now) editor Adrian, share the same views. The young generation
needs a thorough information on sexual intercourse and its effects, and
not just having someone they look up to promoting the use of protection.
