Done too Much, Much too Young

Like most pro-choice people, I am all about prevention. Let’s do everything we can to reduce unwanted pregnancy and shrink the number of abortions performed in the United States each year. To accomplish this, I strongly believe that every child in America should be taught about all about sexual reproduction, contraception, abstinence, sexually transmitted diseases, etc. in a manner that is medically accurate and judgment free. Then, there should be a separate course in which the ethical, moral, and societal issues surrounding human sexuality are discussed and explored from many diverse viewpoints (religious views should be recognized and talked about, but no preaching allowed!). Maybe this class should even include a forum that includes kids’ parents, to encourage dialogue about sexuality between the generations. But the bottom line is that we must give kids all of the information possible, so they can make the most responsible, informed choices about sex.

Yes, teens should delay having sex until they are adults, but most don’t, so let’s make sure they know how to protect themselves from unintended pregnancy and disease. And this includes removing any social stigmas around condoms, which should be readily available to kids if they want them. We’ve got to drill it into boys’ heads that if they are going to have sex, they need to use a condom. No excuses. Nada. (A lot of grief is heaped on girls and women for unintended pregnancy and abortion, but the guys are essentially off the hook…they are a big part of the equation, don’t you think?) Birth control pills and emergency contraception also should be easy to obtain if we want to make sure that abortion is rare, but guys really need to own up to the vital importance in doing their part in preventing pregnancy and the spread of disease. Wrap that rascal now, dude!

Here’s a wacky thought. As our intrepid legislators work overtime in their quest to restrict abortion, on a parallel tack, why don’t we demand that laws be put into effect that would make it a crime if a male does not use a condom during sexual intercourse (we want to make abortions rare, right)? Of course, there would need to be an exception for sexual intercourse that is for procreation (and we could draw up some sort of document men and women could sign attesting to their true intent before they have sex). So it would be a little complicated and trample people’s right to privacy, etc. But since our federal government has so much disdain for civil liberties anyway, why not have some good come out of this trend, right? Are you with me? I mean, if we are going to get all high and mighty and tell women they can’t have easy access to birth control or emergency contraception AND plan to outlaw abortion, the guys need to take on some greater responsibility or things are going to get a hell of a lot messier. Human beings have sex. So let’s make condom use whenever people are “doing it” the law of the land. Nice and simple.

Should I place a call to Alberto Gonzales right now, or give him some time to settle in and forget about that pesky Abu Ghraib/Guantanamo Bay nastiness the Dems keep harping on? Hello, is anyone there? This is New York calling…hello? Is this thing on? Can you hear me now?