By Blue Rose on Monday, 10 of August , 2009 at 1:20 pm
The Candie’s Foundation claims that its mission is “to educate America’s youth about the devastating consequences of teenage pregnancy.” So why, then, is it pushing abstinence, and “sexy” abstinence, at that, as an ideal solution?
The foundation is currently pushing their new t-shirt design, created in partnership with Seventeen, which reads: “I’m Sexy Enough To Keep You Waiting.” A number of other designs were considered, shown on the website in this charming graphic, with girls in flirty tees surrounding text that reads: “Be Sexy! It Doesn’t Mean You Have To Have Sex!”
No, it doesn’t. But as Lisa at Sociological Images points out, why aren’t there any boys wearing these t-shirts? Why is it only girls who are expected to “be sexy!” but remain chaste? Why are we pushing this ridiculous “I’m so sexy,” bullshit slogan as a means to really address the issues behind teen pregnancy rates? Why aren’t there any references to condoms, or safe sex, or birth control pills? It seems a bit disturbing that the foundation’s main method of reaching young girls is to tell them to “be sexy” but remind them that having sex might lead to “devastating consequences.” Mixed messages much?
I suppose this fits in with the company’s current split between its retail spokesperson, Britney Spears, and its recent foundation spokesperson, Bristol Palin: they push a sexy image on consumers, and hope that teens will buy into their sexy brand, but then expect young women to push their sexuality aside (or apologize for it) and abstain, or else face “the consequences.” Are there consequences of having sex? Yes. But it seems as if pregnancy is the only one this foundation wants to address, and abstinence is their main method of doing so, all while reminding girls that they can still “be sexy!” It’s disappointing and frustrating, and just feeds into the bizarre culture that wants young women to exude sexuality, as long as they don’t dare to actually claim some sort of control over their own.
If the Candie’s Foundation really wants to fight teen pregnancy, perhaps they should tone down the “sexy” angle and focus on the actual sex. Oh, and it wouldn’t hurt to note that teen pregnancy isn’t a female issue alone: turning it into the sole responsibility of young women, who have too many mixed messages thrown at them as it is, simply makes it easier for the world to expect them to remain both sexy and sexless, an unfair notion that will only lead to more confusion. It’s education, openness, and honesty that’s the key, not pushing girls away from their own sexuality while slapping the word “sexy” across their chests.
Source: Jezebel.com
By Blue Rose on Thursday, 9 of April , 2009 at 5:21 pm
This is the continuation of the safer sex guidelines 1.
Use spermicides containing nonoxynol-9. This is the active ingredient in most spermicides sold in the United States. It’s actually a mild detergent that destroys HIV by bursting its protein membrane. It also kills microbes that cause other STD’s, including herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis and trichomoniasis. Generally, in fact, protecting yourself against AIDS with spermicide and condoms also protects you against a whole host of other STDs as an added bonus.
Herpes genitalis(When symptomatic, the typical manifestation of a primary HSV-1 or HSV-2 genital infection is clusters of inflamed papules and vesicles on the outer surface of the genitals resembling cold sores
Beware of open sores. Open sores increase risk. In order to infect a new host, the virus must somehow enter that person’s blood stream. Normally, intact, healthy skin provides a nearly insurmountable barrier against HIV. Even if you get some infected blood or semen against your skin, this is almost invariably safe. But if you have open sores on your genitals or in your mouth, the virus has a portal of entry directly into the bloodstream. Studies of homosexual men have shown that those with herpes, syphilis or chancroid (all STDs that produce open sores if untreated) are at greater risk of becoming infected with HIV than men who are free of genital ulcers. This is also why unprotected anal, intercourse, which tears the lining of the rectum, is one of the riskiest of all sexual behaviors.
Can HIV penetrate the mucous lining of the vagina, rectum or mouth if there are no cuts or sores? The answer to this is not known, because it’s never been tested in humans (and, for ethical reasons, never will be). To protect yourself, whatever the answer: Use condoms.
Syphilis(is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the spirochetal bacterium Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum
Syphilis lesions on a patient’s back
Avoid high-risk practices. Being on the receiving and of unprotected anal intercourse is probably the riskiest sexual practice of all. (Don’t forget, though, that both partners are at risk in anal intercourse). Even using condoms is not entirely safe: With vaginal intercourse, about 1 in 100 condoms will break, but with anal intercourse, 10 in 100 will break, studies have found.
Worldwide, probably the most common mode of transmission is unprotected penis-in-vagina intercourse. Again: Don’t do it without using spermicide and a condom.
Don’t do unprotected sex with multiple partners, prostitutes or drug users. It’s also unsafe to have sex with someone who has had sex with multiple partners, drug users or prostitutes. Unfortunately, although it’s great to know the sexual history of your sex partner, the plain fact is that no area of life is more right with secrets – and – lies – than a persons sexual past. In one astounding study, 52 percent of sexually active HIV carriers admitted they had, at one time or another concealed their illness from a sex partner. So just because a sex partner tells you he or she hasn’t done anything risky doesn’t mean you can believe it.
vaginal syphilis(Secondary syphilis manifested perineal condylomata lata lesions, which presented as gray, raised papules that sometimes appear on the vulva or near the anus, or in any other warm intertriginous region.
Chancres on the penile shaft due to a primary syphilitic infection
When you ask people what they are doing to reduce their risk of getting AIDS, they often say, I’m being more careful about who I have sex with. But this is really very little help, because you simply can’t tell by looking at someone if they’re infected. After all, how do you think people are getting infected? They’re getting infected by having sex with people they think are not infected.
giant condom in Buenos Aires
By Blue Rose on Monday, 6 of April , 2009 at 7:11 pm
These days’ doctors tend to say there is no safe sex, only safer sex. Here are the basics for protecting yourself from AIDS while you continue to enjoy the pleasures of a healthy sex life.
Avoid sex practices that involve sharing body fluids. Nearly all safer sex guidelines come down to this, the most important single bit advice. That’s because HIV is spread when blood, semen or vaginal secretions from somebody who’s infected come into direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of somebody who’s not infected.
HIV concentrations are highest in semen, breast milk and blood, including menstrual blood. HIV has also been found, in much lower concentrations, in women’s genital secretions. It sometimes found in saliva, in very low concentrations. And it has not been found at all in urine, sweat or feces.
Always use condoms. The best choice: lubricated latex condoms that are impregnated with spermicide nonoxynol-9. Lambskin condoms may feel good, but they don’t protect against HIV because they’re perforated with microscopic holes large enough to allow HIV to pass through. When a condom is lubricated, it’s protected against rips and tears and doesn’t break as easily as an unlubricated one. And nonoxyol-9 has been shown – at least under laboratory conditions – to kill HIV on contact. Women now have another option, the female condom, marketed under the brand name Reality and available in drugstore for about $2 apiece. But whatever kind of condoms you use, it’s important to use then consistently, even time you make love, not just when you feel like it.
this is an example of latex condom
this an example of female condom
If you use lubricant, make sure it’s water-based product, not an oil-based one. Oil-based lubricants cause latex to rapidly disintegrate into a gummy mess that offers no protection against AIDS (or pregnancy, for that matter). Contact with petroleum products destroys condoms. Don’t use: Crisco, baby oil, cold cream, Vaseline or certain vaginal creams like Monistat, Premarin or Vagisil. Do use; K-Y Jelly, saliva, spermicidal creams or commercial lubricants like Astroglide, Lubraseptic or Lubafax.
this is the Astroglide commercial lubricants
When is it to stop using condoms in a relationship? That’s the 100,000 dollar question.
If you’ve been in a monogamous relationship for six months, and you’ve both tested and certain you’re HIV negative, I’d say it’s probably okay to stop using condoms. Of course, you still can’t be absolutely certain you’re safe.
Two possibilities why you can’t be absolutely sure you’re safe in such a relationship: The body develops antibodies HIV (which is what the test measures) usually somewhere between two weeks and three months after exposure. You could have been tested after you were infected but before antibodies appeared (which means the test would have been negative). Or else one of you picked up the virus from somebody else after both of you were tested.
In this advance time we are very much prone to different kinds of sickness, there is a proverb saying “it’s better to prevent than to cure.” I still have the 2nd issue for safer sex guidelines, wait for it.
