Smoking vs STD's

[JimG]

“There is an HPV epidemic in this country which could be stopped – or at least limited — by changes in behavior. Why is it reasonable to tell kids not to smoke (in order to avoid cancer and other diseases) but not reasonable to tell them not to have sex until they’re married to another person who has waited (in order to avoid cancer and other diseases)?”

Time to put the genie back in the bottle.

 

[heidi_storage]

If there were a vaccine against lung cancer, emphysema, etc, I would get it for my kids. I would also discourage smoking because of its many harms. I will be getting the HPV vaccine for my kiddos when they are 11 or 12, and I do not expect that so doing will affect their sexual behavior in any way.

The CDC absolutely should promote abstinence and fidelity to stop the spread of STDs (and reduce unintended pregnancy incidence). They can do that while also encouraging HPV vaccination.

 

[JimG]

If there were a vaccine against lung cancer, emphysema, etc, I would get it for my kids. I would also discourage smoking because of its many harms. I will be getting the HPV vaccine for my kiddos when they are 11 or 12, and I do not expect that so doing will affect their sexual behavior in any way.

The CDC absolutely should promote abstinence and fidelity to stop the spread of STDs (and reduce unintended pregnancy incidence). They can do that while also encouraging HPV vaccination.

I agree with everything you say here. I think the writer’s point is that in fact the CDC does not emphasize changing behavior to stop STD’s as it does with respect to smoking. Here is a behavior–extramarital sex–that induces many harms. We have an HPV vaccine to stop some of those harms, but fail to urge stopping the behavior as we do with smoking.

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

In an era when 5th graders get condoms and condom demonstrations in class or by the “health nurse,” the government is not about to go against the “sexual freedom” tide, irrespective of the demonstrated health concerns.

 

[AnneElizabeth]

“There is an HPV epidemic in this country which could be stopped – or at least limited — by changes in behavior. Why is it reasonable to tell kids not to smoke (in order to avoid cancer and other diseases) but not reasonable to tell them not to have sex until they’re married to another person who has waited (in order to avoid cancer and other diseases)?”

Time to put the genie back in the bottle.

I assume its because there is this notion going around that the sexual drive is too powerful and too much of a natural drive for people to overcome. Just the same, we are now told as well that we should expect men to be unfaithful because their natural drives are too powerful for them to be faithful. OH, and they are even saying that about the women now too- and that they are worse when it comes to being unfaithful.



Anyone else notice in the world today, every excuse of anything ever said to be a sin is being offered and accepted as normal and ok and in some cases, encouraged?

 

[macstar]

Unfortunately rape is a sad reality in our world, often committed by trustful people. Ditto with molestation. Typically it isn’t a stranger in a dark alley but rather a family friend or relative. That’s another reason to get the HPV vaccine.

Also- just because one spouse waits until marriage doesn’t mean the other spouse did. Why risk cancer, sickness or death for yourself or your children (miscarriages can occur) when it can be prevented?

 

[JimG]

Unfortunately rape is a sad reality in our world, often committed by trustful people. Ditto with molestation. Typically it isn’t a stranger in a dark alley but rather a family friend or relative. That’s another reason to get the HPV vaccine.

Also- just because one spouse waits until marriage doesn’t mean the other spouse did. Why risk cancer, sickness or death for yourself or your children (miscarriages can occur) when it can be prevented?

I agree. I’m not recommending against the vaccine. I’m recommending that in addition there should be a strong “just say no to pre-marital and extramarital” sex message, to kids instead of a “we know you have no self control and you’re going to do it anyway” message.

 

[1Lord1Faith]

“There is an HPV epidemic in this country which could be stopped – or at least limited — by changes in behavior. Why is it reasonable to tell kids not to smoke (in order to avoid cancer and other diseases) but not reasonable to tell them not to have sex until they’re married to another person who has waited (in order to avoid cancer and other diseases)?”

Time to put the genie back in the bottle.

This story touches on the inherent vulnerability of human beings when they are deciding what ideologies to promote in their society. That vulnerability being a tendency to tilt our ideologies, no matter what they are, to the "want’ instead of the “need”. In the absence of an ideology of lifelong monogamy, people will want to have sexual freedom. But that’s where a “humanist” or secular/autonomous ideology, which usually includes sexual freedom, starts to run up against itself; it does so because individual sexual freedom is not what is best for the individual’s needs, only for it’s “wants” or passions.

HPV, among other STD’s, has been documented for at least three thousand years. Clearly, over the millennia people have figured out that sexual promiscuity is not good for the health of a population or the individual…ergo the hypocrisy of many so-called “modern, enlightened ideologies” such as the hipster humanist, or the autonomous materialist, or the politically correct class which seems to be controlling western ideologies, some of which include sexual freedom.

 

[steve93]

Unfortunately rape is a sad reality in our world, often committed by trustful people. Ditto with molestation. Typically it isn’t a stranger in a dark alley but rather a family friend or relative. That’s another reason to get the HPV vaccine.

Also- just because one spouse waits until marriage doesn’t mean the other spouse did. Why risk cancer, sickness or death for yourself or your children (miscarriages can occur) when it can be prevented?

It would need to be made mandatory. That way some southern protestant idiot isn’t going to be able to gamble with their children’s health/life to “encourage abstinence”.
Step 2: Make rape a death penalty charge.

 

[zea_maize]

If there were a vaccine against lung cancer, emphysema, etc, I would get it for my kids. I would also discourage smoking because of its many harms. I will be getting the HPV vaccine for my kiddos when they are 11 or 12, and I do not expect that so doing will affect their sexual behavior in any way.

The CDC absolutely should promote abstinence and fidelity to stop the spread of STDs (and reduce unintended pregnancy incidence). They can do that while also encouraging HPV vaccination.

Right on the money.

I agree with everything you say here. I think the writer’s point is that in fact the CDC does not emphasize changing behavior to stop STD’s as it does with respect to smoking. Here is a behavior–extramarital sex–that induces many harms. We have an HPV vaccine to stop some of those harms, but fail to urge stopping the behavior as we do with smoking.

The CDC does talk about a mutually monogamous relationship as part of HPV prevention.
CDC HPV Fact Sheet:

How can I avoid HPV and the health problems it can cause?

You can do several things to lower your chances of getting HPV.

Get vaccinated. The HPV vaccine is safe and effective. It can protect males and females against diseases (including cancers) caused by HPV when given in the recommended age groups (see “Who should get vaccinated?” below). CDC recommends 11 to 12 year olds get two doses of HPV vaccine to protect against cancers caused by HPV. For more information on the recommendations, please see: cdc.gov/hpv/parents/questions-answers.html

Get screened for cervical cancer. Routine screening for women aged 21 to 65 years old can prevent cervical cancer.

If you are sexually active

Use latex condoms the right way every time you have sex. This can lower your chances of getting HPV. But HPV can infect areas that are not covered by a condom - so condoms may not give full protection against getting HPV;
Be in a mutually monogamous relationship – or have sex only with someone who only has sex with you.

bolding mine cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv.htm

Unfortunately rape is a sad reality in our world, often committed by trustful people. Ditto with molestation. Typically it isn’t a stranger in a dark alley but rather a family friend or relative. That’s another reason to get the HPV vaccine.

Also- just because one spouse waits until marriage doesn’t mean the other spouse did. Why risk cancer, sickness or death for yourself or your children (miscarriages can occur) when it can be prevented?

These are true as well.

 

[Allegra]

It would need to be made mandatory. That way some southern protestant idiot isn’t going to be able to gamble with their children’s health/life to “encourage abstinence”.
Step 2: Make rape a death penalty charge.

Ummm. Wow. So much wrong going on here!

 

[heidi_storage]

Before giving my child Gardasil I would carefully research recent information (last 10 days). “Former Merck Doctor claims Gardasil will become the greatest medical scandal of all time.”

I had heard rumors for years that the FDA and Merck were under pressure to “fast track” this drug through medical testing and really push it and that is what is now coming to light through a few whistle blowers. Take it or leave it, I am not here to give medical advice I would simply be diligent and check out all facts before giving medication though I am certain that is what all CAF parents do anyway! God bless all of you.

Yeah, I’ve had those concerns, which is why I didn’t get vaccinated myself when the vaccine first came out. I’d heard horror stories about healthy girls dying and exhibiting ovulatory failure, too. However, as best as I can tell, the vaccines are in fact safe and effective, and it’s been some years since they came out.

 

[jaimeleglise]

The vaccine is not without risk. It does not protect against every strain of HPV. Consult a professional.