After this last post, a reader directed me to this great article by Violet Blue over at SF Gate which asks: when teens make their own porn, who's being exploited?
What do you think? Can taking nude photos of yourself be healthy or harmful? When I was fifteen there was barely an internet, and I know I'm glad to know that the dumb mistakes I made back then won't be broadcast for all the world to see, but that's no longer the case. Have you ever had something you regret broadcast over the internet?
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Teenage Sexuality: How do you teach without the shame?
Do you remember a while back, a few high school girls in Pennsylvania got in trouble for sending semi-nude photos of themselves to friends via cell phone?
The atrocity wasn't that they got in trouble - a school restricting that kind of behavior among students I could maybe understand. It was that the police decided to charge all those involved with trafficking in child pornography.
Now, in a twist, a U.S. District Judge has now issued a restraining order against the original prosecutor, saying his actions went to far.
It's so rare you see a federal judge doing something that actually seems to really protect young girls without shaming them for exploring sexuality, that I consider this District Judge a hero. But it got me thinking, how should the girls parents and authorities responded in the first place? It's natural for teenagers to want to experiment, and the local police forces' strong reaction was definitely creepy. But sending nude or semi-nude pictures of yourself can be really risky. You never know whose hands they'll end up in, and once they've made it online there's no taking them down - readily googleable for any future employer to find.
So what do you think? How should the teens' parents and teachers dealt with this issue?
The atrocity wasn't that they got in trouble - a school restricting that kind of behavior among students I could maybe understand. It was that the police decided to charge all those involved with trafficking in child pornography.
Now, in a twist, a U.S. District Judge has now issued a restraining order against the original prosecutor, saying his actions went to far.
It's so rare you see a federal judge doing something that actually seems to really protect young girls without shaming them for exploring sexuality, that I consider this District Judge a hero. But it got me thinking, how should the girls parents and authorities responded in the first place? It's natural for teenagers to want to experiment, and the local police forces' strong reaction was definitely creepy. But sending nude or semi-nude pictures of yourself can be really risky. You never know whose hands they'll end up in, and once they've made it online there's no taking them down - readily googleable for any future employer to find.
So what do you think? How should the teens' parents and teachers dealt with this issue?
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Hilarious! Onion Saves the Day Again.
I love the Onion. And after the depressing news that the Pope was still claiming that condoms can give you AIDS in Africa, well this piece is just perfect.
Breaking: MTV VJ Gets Tested for STDs on Camera!
As some of you may have already heard, this month is Get Yourself Tested Month (or GYT09). Which means that Planned Parenthood has partnered with the Kaiser Family Foundation and MTV to remind all of you how important it is to get tested for STDs on a regular basis!
It's been pretty exciting so far, especially because we get to do cool things like have an MTV VJ come in and get tested for STDs on camera.
Watch the video! Doesn't he make it look easy? I even got to meet Carlos, and he was very sweet. And yes, he really did go through the whole exam and get tested for everything.
What about you? When was the last time you were tested for STDs? Do you think you'd be brave enough to do it on camera?
It's been pretty exciting so far, especially because we get to do cool things like have an MTV VJ come in and get tested for STDs on camera.
Watch the video! Doesn't he make it look easy? I even got to meet Carlos, and he was very sweet. And yes, he really did go through the whole exam and get tested for everything.
What about you? When was the last time you were tested for STDs? Do you think you'd be brave enough to do it on camera?
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
When was the last time you were tested for STDs?
Whether you lost your health insurance or are just plain lazy, you may have been putting off getting STD tested lately. But do you know how much of a risk you're facing?
Now you can! As a part of Get Yourself Tested month, Planned Parenthood has made it simple to do a quick assessment of what STDs you might be at risk for via an online quiz. Of course you should all be getting tested on a regular basis anyway - it's just common sense.
What about you guys? When was the last time you were tested? Do you get nervous before you go?
Now you can! As a part of Get Yourself Tested month, Planned Parenthood has made it simple to do a quick assessment of what STDs you might be at risk for via an online quiz. Of course you should all be getting tested on a regular basis anyway - it's just common sense.
What about you guys? When was the last time you were tested? Do you get nervous before you go?
Who would you rather take the pill, you or your boyfriend?
Any of our readers who've actually been on the birth control pill can tell you: the burden of remembering to take your daily dose can sometimes be exhausting. Although thanks to Obama it'll soon be a bit less expensive, you still have to always worry about bringing your pill pack with you, taking it at the same time everyday and worrying what to do if you miss one. And if you're going on vacation around the time you're switching to a new pill pack, well the pharmacy can make the hassle of getting your pills in advance a nightmare.
Yet now, as Marie Claire UK is reporting (via the wonderful Emily at RH Reality Check), there may be a new pill for men in the works!
The good feminist in me knows that I should be excited: Finally! Equity in birth control! But instead it just makes me nervous. How would I know for sure that he was really taking it? Could I really trust a boyfriend to be more responsible than I am? And how long would it be until we were sure that there are no harmful side effects for the men taking it?
So I'm curious what you think. Is this a great new advancement that's been too long in the coming? Will you run out to try it right away? Or would you prefer to be the one in charge of your daily birth control regimen?
Yet now, as Marie Claire UK is reporting (via the wonderful Emily at RH Reality Check), there may be a new pill for men in the works!
The good feminist in me knows that I should be excited: Finally! Equity in birth control! But instead it just makes me nervous. How would I know for sure that he was really taking it? Could I really trust a boyfriend to be more responsible than I am? And how long would it be until we were sure that there are no harmful side effects for the men taking it?
So I'm curious what you think. Is this a great new advancement that's been too long in the coming? Will you run out to try it right away? Or would you prefer to be the one in charge of your daily birth control regimen?
Birth Control Pills as Drugs?
Via feministing, a teenager in Virginia was suspended for taking her birth control pills at school. The school's authorities are claiming it's a case of worrying about liability, but I can't help but wonder if they would have made the same choice had she been caught taking anti-depressants or ADD medicine. Especially when I read this:
What do you think? A case of misdirected overly-cautious administrators? Or did they target birth control directly?
During two weeks of watching television game shows and trying to keep up with homework online, the Fairfax teen, an honor student and lettered athlete, had time to study the handbook closely. If she had been caught high on LSD, heroin or another illegal drug, she found, she would have been suspended for five days. Taking her prescribed birth-control pill on campus drew the same punishment as bringing a gun to school would have.
What do you think? A case of misdirected overly-cautious administrators? Or did they target birth control directly?
Friday, April 3, 2009
Abortion Ads?
Salon.com reports that the UK might start airing ads for pregnancy services, including abortion, on TV.
On the one hand, why not? On the other hand, I can see how this might make people uncomfortable. So I'd love to hear from our readers -- what do you think? Should the UK allow ads for abortion services on TV? Should the US?
On the one hand, why not? On the other hand, I can see how this might make people uncomfortable. So I'd love to hear from our readers -- what do you think? Should the UK allow ads for abortion services on TV? Should the US?
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
To Do: Support Clinic Access on your lunch hour
Sick of eating lunch at your desk? Well, PPNYC has something pretty special going on tomorrow during your lunch hour: the City Council is voting on (and approving we hope!) the Clinic Access Bill an important piece of legislation that will help protect our reproductive health care clinics as well as our patients.
That's right even in 2009, patients and staff at reproductive health care centers deal with harassment and intimidation by protesters outside. This bill will help make sure that doesn't happen -- removing a barrier to health care at a time when people are already struggle to get access to care. Doesn't that sound like a good reason to come down to City Hall and celebrate its passage?
So, if you're so inclined, don your Planned Parenthood T Shirt and come on down to City Hall to show your support. We'll be gathering there at 1:30pm. Hope to see you there!
That's right even in 2009, patients and staff at reproductive health care centers deal with harassment and intimidation by protesters outside. This bill will help make sure that doesn't happen -- removing a barrier to health care at a time when people are already struggle to get access to care. Doesn't that sound like a good reason to come down to City Hall and celebrate its passage?
So, if you're so inclined, don your Planned Parenthood T Shirt and come on down to City Hall to show your support. We'll be gathering there at 1:30pm. Hope to see you there!
Gossip Girl's Dan Humphrey a Supporter of Planned Parenthood?
Said Gossip Girl's Dan Humphrey in this Monday's episode:
At least he has his priorities straight.
? "All I did was carry the chili and stop a few teenagers from having unprotected sex."
At least he has his priorities straight.
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