You are exactly right. There is nothing more powerful than information, and we aren't giving enough of it to our young people.
I am constantly surprised at some of the questions we get here at EmpowHER from young women -- sometimes young teens -- about sex, their periods and their bodies. They are simply not being educated about these things. We see questions from girls who have missed their periods for two or three months and want to know what's wrong. We see questions from girls who "dry humped" with their boyfriends -- both fully clothed -- and are freaking out that they might be pregnant. They don't know about ovulation. Many times they aren't and haven't considered using condoms or other birth control. And they aren't even asking about STDs, which worries me even more. At least they know enough to ask about pregnancy.
I understand the concept behind abstinence-only programs, but I don't understand the inability of such programs to pass on such basic information as how the body works. It appears we're abstaining from truthful information as well.
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Nina,
You are exactly right. There is nothing more powerful than information, and we aren't giving enough of it to our young people.
I am constantly surprised at some of the questions we get here at EmpowHER from young women -- sometimes young teens -- about sex, their periods and their bodies. They are simply not being educated about these things. We see questions from girls who have missed their periods for two or three months and want to know what's wrong. We see questions from girls who "dry humped" with their boyfriends -- both fully clothed -- and are freaking out that they might be pregnant. They don't know about ovulation. Many times they aren't and haven't considered using condoms or other birth control. And they aren't even asking about STDs, which worries me even more. At least they know enough to ask about pregnancy.
I understand the concept behind abstinence-only programs, but I don't understand the inability of such programs to pass on such basic information as how the body works. It appears we're abstaining from truthful information as well.
Great post, Nina. Keep up the good fight.
December 18, 2009 - 8:29amThis Comment
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