Even though there are more than 30 sexually transmitted diseases in this country, annual studies by the Alan Guttmacher Institute had estimated that with all these diseases floating around there is approximately 56 million people who are infected and a large portion who may be living among us. However, with such a ponderous number of people infected, there is minor public health attention given to age-old diseases that cause far more damage than AIDS, shows close to zero symptoms so that people who are infected are unaware that they carrying the disease and pass the infection along to their partners.
For more than forty years, women have used vaginal spermicide as a birth control method. In the last ten years, researchers have discovered that the active ingredient in these vaginal foam gels and suppositories can kill bacteria that cause chlamydia and gonorrhea. But at the same time, they provide no protection against HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. This is why medical researchers continue to remind us that condom use is still the best preventive method.
Knowing that semen can contain up to 100 million HIV particles, it is unbelievable that researchers continue to use $100 million in federal money to test and discover ways to "teach people how to protect and care about themselves and to behave responsibly."
Foremost, why are intelligent people making dumb choices and risking their lives to AIDS? Is it possible for millions of people to practice reckless, sexual behavior or are people in absolute denial about AIDS and other dangerous transmitted diseases? Are reasonably intelligent people so emotionally and psychologically unintelligent when they gamble with their life, thinking that because her or his partner looks physically well that they cannot believe that she or he is carrying the disease? How many people know that at minimum, these types of diseases take about ten years to develop before the disease becomes life threatening?
Another serious problem in this day and age is the frustration whenever really smart women complain about how difficult it is for them to get their partner to use a condom. It's trivial to argue that he is clearly irresponsible and selfish. It's his choice. But why is she arguing with him about the value of protection? If he is against using condoms in this disease day, his reckless attitude should clue you in on his lifestyle. Women ought to be afraid of any partner who lacks sexual behavior and responsibility.
I cannot help but feel that certain feminists are at fault for their share in protesting against condoms. Once upon a time, certain feminists' groups argued that “condom use goes against everything that women have fought for.” They claimed that the development of the birth control pill was intended to make women more independent, and that to encourage and guide men to wear condoms' takes away women's independence, because now women must depend on the guys to take action. This illogical way of thinking is not only senseless, but dangerous to women's health. The message served but a giant step backward, a grave price to pay and in the same breath, a harsh disservice to women. Let us be reminded that young ladies and women are more susceptible to infection, and the ones who suffer, mostly.
Women, who demand, not persuade condom sex is in control and independent. Smart women make positive, intelligent choices about their future. They understand, believe in responsibility and do what they must to protect themselves. They know that when a man loves you, there is no fight about or risk in using condoms. There is no discussion on whether you want to live or die.
The Cornerstone
Once upon a time, we've had our share of information to help us prevent, educate and protect ourselves with condoms and this method was suggested as the most sensible and workable approach. Can this nation afford to continue to linger over, spend a long time over the effects of AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases?
Once upon a time, to know the sex and drug histories of potential sex partners was crucial. But now, it is an age-old, good faith disclosure we can no longer rely upon. Unfortunately, too many people lie about their histories in order to protect themselves and to gain from the other person.
Once upon a time, there was the joy of sex, unconnected to responsibility. Now we have the radiation of sex. Once upon a time, sex was safe, nonnegotiable, now its threat is terminal gloom that has plagued this nation.
Once upon a time older folks thought of nothing but enjoying the best years of their life only to discover that older people are not protecting themselves against the disease and their doctors are not looking for it. (The Burlington Free Press, January 25, 1998).
Researchers have discovered that doctors who discuss HIV/AIDS with their older patients often give dangerous advice or do not counsel them on the risks. They do not consider the possibility of HIV infection among older adults or discuss protection. Obviously, older women and men engage in risky sex practices perhaps because they do not perceive themselves to be at risk. They are more worried about their heart, prostate and lungs. Understandably, since a major problem is lack of information on patterns of sexual behavior for mid life people.
A dream lost. Spontaneity and sex are dangerous and planning is smart. We must change our sexual habits and make a lightening shift in behavior because AIDS and all transmittable diseases will continue its lethal journey through this planet. People need to change their way of thinking and behaving. Plenty of folks in our society leave themselves open to sexually transmitted diseases because in America sexual intercourse begins at an early age, nowadays at the age of twelve. As well, many youngsters and adults focus more on sex than on education, work, life.
If we do not know by now that this sexually transmitted diseases does not discriminate, then sooner than later, reality will inevitably stare at you in the face.
