Comments on: Sex and the single-minded http://ww3.startribune.com/blogs/bodytalk/2008/04/08/sex-and-the-single-minded/ The latest in health and wellness news Sat, 30 Aug 2008 08:10:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Josephine http://ww3.startribune.com/blogs/bodytalk/2008/04/08/sex-and-the-single-minded/#comment-58 Josephine Wed, 09 Apr 2008 18:15:13 +0000 http://ww3.startribune.com/blogs/bodytalk/2008/04/08/sex-and-the-single-minded/#comment-58 Claudia, thank you for your thoughtful post. I'm with you -- I think love is imoportant, not necessarily marriage. And knowledge. JM Claudia, thank you for your thoughtful post. I’m with you — I think love is imoportant, not necessarily marriage. And knowledge. JM

]]> By: claudia http://ww3.startribune.com/blogs/bodytalk/2008/04/08/sex-and-the-single-minded/#comment-57 claudia Tue, 08 Apr 2008 22:38:30 +0000 http://ww3.startribune.com/blogs/bodytalk/2008/04/08/sex-and-the-single-minded/#comment-57 Many, many of my friends and I undoubtedly avoided STIs and pregnancy due to an excellent understanding (via good education) on the risks of sexual activity. We learned about "how babies are made" starting in sixth grade (which is probably a little late nowadays); about the risks of bodily fluid exposure (in high school biology), and emotional risks (my RA was excellent at this in college.) Yet, all but one of us (that I know of for sure) chose to have sex with serious boyfriends before marrying the men who became our husbands. We did not have flings. We chose to have sex with men whom we loved. We wanted to do this - we felt informed and mature enough to do it safely (I know, I know - nothing but abstinence is 100% safe.) As a mother, I am open with my children and realistic about human desire. I don't want my kids to have sex at 14 or 17, but 20 or 21? If they are in a committed relationship and are smart about it, I will be happy for them. We need to provide information to our children on how to be safe because all the threats, bribes and pleading in the world will not change people's natural desires. Lest K. Kersten or anyone else think my friends and I are a bunch of amoral radicals, she can be assured that we are conventional, church-going, child-raising women in our 40s. It is simply not realistic to demand abstinence from young adults. And it is a travesty to encourage ignorance by not supplying information on the options that exist to help people be safer. Many, many of my friends and I undoubtedly avoided STIs and pregnancy due to an excellent understanding (via good education) on the risks of sexual activity. We learned about “how babies are made” starting in sixth grade (which is probably a little late nowadays); about the risks of bodily fluid exposure (in high school biology), and emotional risks (my RA was excellent at this in college.) Yet, all but one of us (that I know of for sure) chose to have sex with serious boyfriends before marrying the men who became our husbands. We did not have flings. We chose to have sex with men whom we loved. We wanted to do this - we felt informed and mature enough to do it safely (I know, I know - nothing but abstinence is 100% safe.)

As a mother, I am open with my children and realistic about human desire. I don’t want my kids to have sex at 14 or 17, but 20 or 21? If they are in a committed relationship and are smart about it, I will be happy for them. We need to provide information to our children on how to be safe because all the threats, bribes and pleading in the world will not change people’s natural desires.

Lest K. Kersten or anyone else think my friends and I are a bunch of amoral radicals, she can be assured that we are conventional, church-going, child-raising women in our 40s. It is simply not realistic to demand abstinence from young adults. And it is a travesty to encourage ignorance by not supplying information on the options that exist to help people be safer.

]]> By: JeffB http://ww3.startribune.com/blogs/bodytalk/2008/04/08/sex-and-the-single-minded/#comment-54 JeffB Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:34:47 +0000 http://ww3.startribune.com/blogs/bodytalk/2008/04/08/sex-and-the-single-minded/#comment-54 Conservatives call for accountability in public programs and spending. But the "abstinence based" programs they support are repeatedly proven to fail. I agree -- give our kids the facts so they can make smart decisions. Conservatives call for accountability in public programs and spending. But the “abstinence based” programs they support are repeatedly proven to fail. I agree — give our kids the facts so they can make smart decisions.

]]> By: JMAN http://ww3.startribune.com/blogs/bodytalk/2008/04/08/sex-and-the-single-minded/#comment-53 JMAN Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:56:43 +0000 http://ww3.startribune.com/blogs/bodytalk/2008/04/08/sex-and-the-single-minded/#comment-53 You mean somebody actually reads the crap spewed by Katherine Kersten? Who knew? You mean somebody actually reads the crap spewed by Katherine Kersten? Who knew?

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