STDs rife among US teenage girls

[Telperion]

I feel this information is most likely and unfortunately just the tip of a very ugly iceberg. Just another byproduct of our oversexed, sexually drenched media aided in full by the Bush administrations 'abstinence only" education program. The entire situation is utterly ridiculous and frightening.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7290088.stm

One in four teenage girls in the United States has a sexually-transmitted disease, a study has indicated.

The study, by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), found an even higher prevalence of STDs among black girls.

Researchers analysed data from a nationally representative sample of 838 US girls aged 14 to 19.

A virus that causes cervical cancer - HPV - was the most common, followed by chlamydia, trichomoniasis and herpes.

The CDC says the study is the first in its kind to examine the prevalence of common sexually transmitted diseases among adolescent girls.

It found that nearly half of the African-American girls surveyed had at least one STD, while the rate was 20% among white and Mexican-American teenagers.

Human papillomavirus, or HPV, affected 18% of the girls surveyed, chlamydia 4%, trichomoniasis 2.5%, and herpes simplex virus 2%.

Screening recommended

The CDC's Devin Fenton said it was a serious issue because the diseases could lead to infertility and cervical cancer.

"Screening, vaccination and other prevention strategies for sexually active women are among our highest public health priorities," he said.

The CDC is recommending annual chlamydia screening for all sexually active women under 25, and HPV vaccines for girls aged 11 to 12, followed by booster injections.

John Douglas, the CDC's head of STD prevention, says screenings are underused because teenagers often do not think they are at risk.

Analysts say some doctors are also reluctant to discuss screening with teenage patients because of confidentiality concerns, knowing parents would have to be told of the results.

Also:

Abstinence-only education needs to go

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/sfl-317stdedit,0,3582726.story

That means 25 percent of girls ages 14 to 19 has the human papilloma virus, chlamydia, genital herpes or some other health-compromising disease, according to a recent federal study. One of those 3.2 million girls could be your daughter, your niece or neighbor. For African-American teenage girls, the statistics are even more alarming, with 48 percent infected.

And if you think that's bad, keep in mind that the numbers don't include more serious STDs like HIV/AIDS, gonorrhea and syphilis, so the problem could be even worse.

From here, it would be easy to play the blame game. But that would be unproductive. It doesn't matter if you're the pro-sex education or abstinence-only type, the statistics speak for themselves, and what matters most is that something be done to make our children more sexually responsible and safe.

Also:

Teen Sex Less Risky in Europe Than U.S.

http://www.truthdig.com/eartotheground/item/20060419_teen_seex_europe/

A 2001 Guttmacher Institute report, drawing on data from 30 countries in Western and Eastern Europe, concluded: “Societal acceptance of sexual activity among young people, combined with comprehensive and balanced information about sexuality and clear expectations about commitment and prevention, childbearing and STDs [sexually transmitted diseases] within teenage relationships, are hallmarks of countries with low levels of adolescent pregnancy, childbearing and STDs.” The study cited Sweden as the “clearest of the case-study countries in viewing sexuality among young people as natural and good.”

(Compare that to America’s puritanical, ineffective abstinence programs.)

And lastly this from 10 years ago:

Differing European/U.S. Approaches to Teen Sex Show Surprising Results

http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/news/press/1998/100198.htm

"Young people in the Netherlands, Germany, and France are taught and believe that they should have 'safe sex or no sex,'" Mr. Wagoner said. "Teens in the U.S. are told 'Just Say No.'"

Major differences between these countries and the U.S. include:

* Teen reproductive health is treated as a public health issue, not a political or religious one.
* Research drives public policy to reduce unintended pregnancies, abortion, and STDs.
* Adolescents have convenient, confidential access to contraception and sexual health information and services, which are usually free.
* Teens receive open, honest, consistent messages about sexuality from parents, grandparents, media, schools, and health care providers.
* The governments fund massive, consistent, and long-term public education campaigns that utilize TV, radio, billboards, discos, pharmacies, and clinics to deliver clear, explicit portrayals of responsible sexual behavior.
* Mass media is a partner, not a problem.

"Instead of encouraging sexual activity, the European openness results in safer and more responsible sexual behavior," Mr. Wagoner said. "The European message to teens is simple: respect and protect yourself and your partner."

******

A brief and horrifying perusal of a 'white power' website referring to the alarming STD statistics and to black girls as "damaged goods" brought to mind something strange I've been seeing on a social website everyday for the past several days.

Of course the 'white power' website attributed all race mixing as part of a Jewish agenda to dilute the 'Aryan' bloodline and squeeze out white men. All the silliness aside, considering everything altogether (the STD statistics, the mixed baby frenzy among european women etc) I wonder if there aren't some forces at work trying to manipulate peoples preferences...

 

[anart]

I wonder if there aren't some forces at work trying to manipulate peoples preferences...

Isn't that always the case?

Notice, as well, the pushing of the HPV vaccine in the first story you linked - there is always an agenda.

 

[PepperFritz]

I wonder if there aren't some forces at work trying to manipulate peoples preferences...

You mean manipulate people into entering "mixed-race" relationships to a greater degree than they occur already? What do you think the purpose of such manipulation would be?

...the mixed baby frenzy among european women....

I do not understand this reference at all. Why do you believe that there is a "mixed baby frenzy among european women"? On what do you base this idea?

 

[Telperion]

I wonder if there aren't some forces at work trying to manipulate peoples preferences...

You mean manipulate people into entering "mixed-race" relationships to a greater degree than they occur already? What do you think the purpose of such manipulation would be?

...the mixed baby frenzy among european women....

I do not understand this reference at all. Why do you believe that there is a "mixed baby frenzy among european women"? On what do you base this idea?

I really have no concrete idea of what the purpose of any manipulation would be, but keeping in mind the popularity of Obama/Tiger Woods and the choices of various popular culture icons (Heidi Klum springs to mind as well as a hilarious episode of Absolutely Fabulous) there does certainly seem to be some kind of movement towards/greater appreciation of interracial mixing - and it's usually a black man and not a black woman as the 1/2 of the racial mix. It could mean something or it could mean nothing but taken together with the recent statistics (50% of black teenage girls with some type of STD) I thought it least deserved a mention. Personally, my first gut instinct is to look on 'racial' mixing as a good thing but what troubles me a little is the fact that it's being thrust on people these days as something "cool" or "hip" instead of a natural choice.

Also keeping in mind the importance of the female line of inheritance (mitochondrial DNA) it it extra shocking that the STD problem in the US seems to be disproportionately affecting females, and particularly minority females. However the racial aspect to this problem is secondary I think. More important is the fact that 1 out of 4 US teenage girls are carrying some type of STD which could interfere with future child bearing or cause cancer/death. This country has a serious problem brought on in part by 'abstinence only' education and also with the exploitation/objectification of women - the statistics prove this.

_http://www.contexo.info/DNA_Basics/Mitochondria.htm

Of interest to the genealogist (among others) is the fact that all of an individual’s mitochondria are derived from his/her mother. Although the sperm cell tail is packed with mitochondria to power its long journey to the egg cell, the tail and mitochondria drop off of the sperm at fertilization and never enter the egg cell. Consequently, all of the mitochondria in the fertilized egg come from an individual’s mother.

_http://www.dnai.org/text/mediashowcase/index2.html?id=246 (audio)

I almost forgot - the mixed race baby phenomenon was wonderfully satirized by the British TV show Absolutely Fabulous and you can watch a clip of the episode here -

_http://www.spike.com/video/2632990?cmpnid=800&lkdes=VID_2632990

 

[anart]

Telperion - you're wandering off into subjective 'alarm land' again.

This country has a serious problem brought on in part by 'abstinence only' education and also with the exploitation/objectification of women - the statistics prove this.

That is quite a way down on the 'this country has a serious problem' list. You are swatting at gnats and swallowing elephants. Perspective - please.

I almost forgot - the mixed race baby phenomenon was wonderfully satirized by the British TV show Absolutely Fabulous and you can watch a clip of the episode here -

Why are you referencing a telelvision show to back up your 'mixed race baby' statement? Did you, again, go into 'must prove my point' mode when questioned - thus your previous post?

If you could catch yourself and question your thinking more often, it might help reduce these reactions of yours and thus reduce the noise on this forum.

 

[Ruth]

When I read the title, it seemed to imply (I don't know why) that the problem is only amongst teenage girls.

What'd they do? Catch it off each other?!? Even with a basic knowledge of STDs, you'd think that people might work out that these diseases are equally widespread amongst boys. Surely that might be a cause for concern?

 

[Ryan]

That is quite a way down on the 'this country has a serious problem' list. You are swatting at gnats and swallowing elephants. Perspective - please.

Have I told you that you rock recently? No?

 

[Telperion]

When I read the title, it seemed to imply (I don't know why) that the problem is only amongst teenage girls.

What'd they do? Catch it off each other?!? Even with a basic knowledge of STDs, you'd think that people might work out that these diseases are equally widespread amongst boys. Surely that might be a cause for concern?

This is a good point Ruth, and frankly I don't know if the focus of all the attention of the STD crisis (and it is a crisis don't be fooled) on girls is some sort of form of sexism...

The troubling thing about males and STD's though is that they can carry diseases with little to no symptoms for much longer than females who often present much sooner with symptoms if they are infected. Also it often seems to be taken for granted that males are promiscuous and now (surprise!) that it's being revealed that females too commonly engage in sexual activity maybe the veil of tight lipped prudish silence regarding sexuality in the US can finally be lifted.

That is quite a way down on the 'this country has a serious problem' list. You are swatting at gnats and swallowing elephants. Perspective - please.

I understand that for some this may not be much of an issue but for those with teenage relatives (cousins in my case) or people with children at or approaching sexual maturity, this issue is indeed something that needs to be brought further into the light. If we are not struck by an all encompassing catastrophe in the near future, the 'slow burn' of disease progression amongst our country's young people could be just as damaging in the long run as a meteor striking downtown Dallas or something. When it comes to forces trying to undermine or destroy there is often more than one way to skin a cat - disaster can strike in many forms and though biological disaster is less discussed and considered it is often equally as dangerous as the sensational. History is full of biological disasters decimating populations and the current US population is no exception to this fact of nature.

My point in bringing up this issue is not to be alarmist but to help shed light on an issue many people seem to be content to ignore or pretend is of little significance. This issue goes far beyond the proving of points or this or that person being right or wrong, it is about shedding light on a potential disaster and helping to initiate constructive conversations between parents and children and adults and young people so that hopefully a health crisis with the youth of this country can be prevented.

 

[anart]

I understand that for some this may not be much of an issue but for those with teenage relatives (cousins in my case) or people with children at or approaching sexual maturity, this issue is indeed something that needs to be brought further into the light.

You're missing the point.

 

[Telperion]

I understand that for some this may not be much of an issue but for those with teenage relatives (cousins in my case) or people with children at or approaching sexual maturity, this issue is indeed something that needs to be brought further into the light.

You're missing the point.

Please enlighten me, I don't want to seem dense but are you saying this is a non-issue? In that case what pressing issue of today do you think makes this a non-issue? If it's a matter of perspective I feel that taking a macro view of this scenario might help you understand part of my point of bringing this up.

If there is a catastrophe in the near future and 90 - 95% of humanity is wiped out, do you think the survivors will be concerned with long term sexual health? Of course not, and therein lies the problem. If we don't confront the issue sooner than later we could be facing a 1 2 punch - first the major disaster, than the slow burn of survivors (with little to no knowledge of reproductive/sexual health) slowly dying off leaving the earth a en empty garden. The statistics from Eastern Europe, to India, to Africa to currently in the US point towards STD's becoming increasingly entrenched in population both urban and rural. And no one is addressing this issue at all, seeming to think only prostitutes and promiscuous folks need to worry about it. All I'm saying is that, ummm, maybe we should all pay more attention to this in addition to the other things that need attention as well.

 

[anart]

Please enlighten me,

Review previous threads in which you've displayed the same type of thinking - and the responses you received - it has been explained, Telperion.