In case you haven't noticed, dear reader, I haven't been too custodial in regards to my blog as of late. The reason for this tragic and blatant disregard of enthusiastic blog-a-tude is the result of too much school work and for that I apologize.
It was brought to my attention, by more persons than one, that I seem to majoring in blogging this term as all my classes save one revolve around either writing or typing. That having been said, I was also asked why I haven't written anything new since week two of the current term, what with all the writing and presenting skills I'm gleaning from my classes. So I decided to share with you some of what I actually have been working on lately.
Below is the rough draft of a persuasive speech I am in the process of writing for my presentation skills class. If you have any thoughts or recommendations please feel free to message me or post them below. (And if my Communications facilitator is reading this I, once again, must admit I am double-dipping. This week's controversial topic writing assignment was way too awesome not to morph into a bad-ass persuasive speech. Am I wrong, Jason?)
Important disclaimer: the project below may contain information, observations or opinions not suitable for all readers. Anyone who knows me personally will notice I've crossed outside of my Prudy McPrude comfort zone in order to concoct a written presentation relevant to my interest in social behaviors and the fact that since I'm a medical student I will soon have to discuss these matters with patients without vocally spelling words like v-a-g-i-n-a. Deep breath.
Without further ado, I give you:
Teens Should Have Access to Reproductive Health Education and Contraception Without Parental Consent
Good afternoon. First, I would like to ask a question: by a show of hands, who in the room is currently raising a daughter? Excellent! For those of you with daughters, I would like us to do a roll-playing exercise. Let’s pretend that I’m your fifteen-year-old daughter (I know, it’s a stretch but please, bear with me). I’m your fifteen-year-old daughter and I just came home from school. I say to you, “Mom, Dad, we need to talk”. Are you dreading this conversation yet? As your young daughter I am dreading it more, trust me. “Mom, Dad, I’m pregnant”. Okay, by a show of hands; who’s freaked out right now? Let’s try one more. “Mom, Dad, I have herpes”. Now who’s freaked?
There is a growing school of thought and action advocating that teens should not receive any contraception or reproductive medical advice without written parental consent. Members of the health community are bracing for impact for the following reasons. A recent study conducted by the Journal of the American Medical Association, has found that around 20% of sexually active females under the age of eighteen would rather rely on the Rhythm Method (avoiding vaginal intercourse during approximate periods of peak fertility) or the Withdraw Method (or coitus interruptus, if you get my meaning) in lieu of having an uncomfortable conversation with one or both parents. (Jones, 2005) Unfortunately, this proposed legislation is riddled with dire consequences.
Jones, R. The Journal of the American Medical Association, Jan. 19, 2005; vol 293: pp 340-348.
There is an opposing belief that school girls under the age of eighteen should have access to contraceptive aids and reproductive education without their parent’s consent for several reasons. For instance, the denial of contraceptives to a sexually active teen (or teen that desires to engage in sexual congress in the near future) is not and never has been an effective deterrent for “under-age” sex. Young girls who know they are already grown, mature women will not abstain from sexual intercourse just because they do not have access to products that prevent pregnancy or the spread of STD’s. On the contrary, this denial can result in a sexually transmitted disease or surprise pregnancy. In addition, according the Reverend Clarinda Crawford, lack of proper sexual education can result in an adult woman who’s insecure and uncomfortable with her own persona and not the confident, vibrant woman who God intended her to become. (Reverend Clarinda Crawford of Congress Street Methodist Church)
In addition to the risk of STD’s and becoming the youngest grandparents in town, disclosing information to parents of young girls who request contraception and/or reproductive health education is a violation of doctor-patient confidentiality. The American Medical Association states that the Oath of Hippocrates is a code of ethics that all doctors are required to take before practicing medicine. Commonly called the Hippocratic Oath, it is designed to prevent physicians from divulging the medical treatment history of a patient to an outside party, this includes the parents of teens in almost every state in the US, for now. Patient privacy must be maintained regardless of age in order to continue compliance with the Hippocratic Oath. (AMA Code of Medical Ethics, http://www.ama-assn.com)
Finally, the common misconception that the bodies of girls in their mid-to-late teens aren’t developed enough for safe sexual intercourse or carrying a baby should be dispelled as a complete myth. Any physician not affiliated with the Religious Right can tell you that teens--more so than women in their twenties or especially thirties--often carry their babies to full term and give birth to healthy children with fewer complications than those ten to twenty years older. These babies are usually well-adjusted, calm infants and toddlers and are doted upon by their young parents and grandparents.
In short, denying essential contraceptive products to teens just because they do not have parental consent can and often does, result in pregnancies and possibly STD’s. Requiring full disclosure to parents of a teen requesting contraception is a blatant violation of doctor-patient confidentiality and reproductive education should be available to anyone, regardless of age, to insure your daughters won’t become tragic STD statistics and damage their bodies beyond repair due to the lack of a signed permission slip. "Sexual Health--Health of the Nation" Michael Adler, Sexually Transmitted Infections (2003, 79:85-87).
Does anyone have any questions? Or want to throw a rock at my head?
Other source cited: British Medical Association, BMA House, Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9JP, United Kingdom.
Another adventure in writing came last week when asked by Jason, my Com instructor, to produce a definitive paragraph. One fellow student defined the "know-it-all" (loved it)and I choose the Uber Aggressive Mommie-blogger (later changed to the Ultra-Aggressive Mommie-blogger. It seems Jason prefers English rather than German as the language of choice for us fledgling writers).
I again welcome any constructive criticism either int he comments section below or via personal message or e-mail.
Disclaimer: Please do not take personal offense to the body of work below. Much like my persuasive speech this was conceived purely out of academic necessity and is not the inner window to my heart and soul but rather a casual grouping of observations via contact with--literally--hundreds of people in benign hopes of an awesome grade.
I give you, dear reader, The Definition of the Ultra-Aggressive Mommie-Blogger:
An ultra-aggressive mommy-blogger is a mother (or possibly father) who constantly shoves unwanted information about her or his children down other people’s figurative throats while acting aloof either in person or in written form.
For example, some mothers feel the need to Tweet, or blog or update their facebook status every time their child has a bowl movement or says a word, any word at all. Or when I bump into a lady I haven’t seen since high school, I don’t really need a twenty minute diatribe on the first seven years of her child’s life or how motherhood is so much better than attending college or having a career. At least I can block them on facebook, at the grocery store I’m all but trapped.
Another habit of the ultra-aggressive mommy-blogger is instructing other parents in how to raise their kids utilizing words like “always” and “never”. For instance, one mother will say to another, “I always make sure my kids are in bed by seven p.m.” or “I never let my children have sweets.” It is almost impossible to use the words “always” and “never” without stretching the truth and some parents use them incessantly.
And finally, the behavior I abhor most in the ultra-aggressive mommy-blogger is the belief that anyone who chooses not to have children is somehow deficient morally, financially, or socially. They can’t seem to wrap their brains around the idea that not all married couples want to have babies. A small percentage of parents actually become defensive or even combative around couples who have chosen to be child free.
To summarize, the ultra-aggressive mommy-blogger shares unwanted information with anyone in which they come in contact, can come across as brash and bossy toward other parents and occasionally becomes somewhat hostile when around couples who are child free.
Here are a few of the comments from my fellow classmates; the names have been changed to protect anonymity.
I like your paragraph although some of the words i couldn't understand or even know what they mean, but at the same time i thought that your paragraph was very true. -Bambie
I do like your paragraph I thought it was very true, the writing is done very well just that some of the words used couldn’t understand.-Chelsea
I love this! I think it is very well writting! And also so true, I hate when people over due their kids! Lets say “work on transitions!” lol-Linda-Lee
I hope you, dear reader, can understand why I've been neglecting my blogging duties and can appreciate that school is awesome and I would be a student for the rest of my life if it paid a dime.
Welcome, Faith Korbel to the list of followers (please don't judge me as a heathen).
To the lovely Reverend Clarinda Crawford (is that even your title?): thank you for the insight into human sexuality from a spiritual point-of-view.
To Gretchen, Aubrey, Ashley and Kirsten; please don't divulge the subject of my persuasive speech until I have a chance to speak with Ann to find out whether or not its suitable for our hyper-sensitive classmates.
And to all the mommies out there, young or not so young; please do not misconstrue my meager attempts at writing assignments as the end-all-be-all of what I think or feel personally. I'm only able to write what is pulsing through my brain at the time words are needed to obtain another glorious "A".
