Sexual Awareness Sunday

According to the govmint, protective factors against STDs are:

• Perceived parent disapproval of adolescent sex.
• Parent/family connectedness.
• Religious identity/commitment.
• Pledge of virginity.
• High grade point average and school involvement.
• Appears younger than most peers.
• Friends who have similar commitment to abstinence.
• Presence of both parents in the home.
• Infrequent dating before age 16.
• Involvement in group and extracurricular activities.

That would be great, except that abstinence doesn't work (link from dkos). Pledges of abstinence only lead to higher rates of oral and anal sex, so good luck trying to fend off the clap that way. Also, someone's going to have to explain to me how a high GPA and lots of extracurriculars lower your risk of getting STDs. Here are risk factors for STDs:

• A parental belief that adolescent sex is appropriate or inevitable.
• Little parental monitoring.
• Perceived risk of untimely death.
• Paid work more than 20 hours per week.
• Low grade point average or lack of attachment to school.
• Appears older than most peers.
• Alcohol and drug use.
• Only one parent in the household.
• A steady boyfriend or girlfriend.
• A history of physical or sexual abuse.
• Dating someone two or more years older.

In fact I hear Congress is gearing up to pass a law outlawing dating for anyone under 21. If you want a relationship it's marriage or bust. Adolescents working hard are rewarded with STDs (nevermind that they'll have to work hard because of Santorum's proposed minimum wage bill). Dating someone who's two years older (nevermind that they might be more mature and careful about sex) is also a sure-fire way to contract herpes. However, I think most offensive one on this list is having only one parent in the household. That's just really disgusting. But wait, there's more:

If you believe your adolescent may be gay, or is experiencing difficulties with gender identity or sexual orientation issues, consider seeing a family therapist who shares your values to clarify and work through these issues.

Of course you shouldn't accept your child for what he or she may be. Teens don't struggle with identity, and they don't need support and encouragement from their parents. Tell them they're wrong, it'll make them feel better.

At least advocacy groups are complaining about this (there are your tax dollars at work again) according to the AP. Theocracy here we come.