I wasn't quite sure what to write for my first blog, but, in order to be sure I started writing, I came on, only to find a list of "Relevant progressive principles" to choose from. In truth, I'm not sure I belong on this website. Some people, like my brother, would say I'm certainly quite the hippy, which seems to fit. But I'm pretty sure quite a few others would think I'm super - conservative. Whatever floats your boat (do people still say that?).
I work with high schoolers. They can surprise me, tire me, and inspire me - and all in one hour. Most of these kids are dating, a small but increasing number of them are already having sex. I remember when I was in high school, a university visited and actually handed out condoms. What gives? Am I too conservative, or does this seem wrong to you as well? There is a general hopelessness that seems to be expressed by this: "They're going to do it anyways, might as well make sure it's safe". And of course, some students will say, "It's my own body, that's none of your business".
Here's where I have difficulty expressing myself. How has the American (I know we're not the first to think of freedom, but I'm pretty sure this is an American audience, right?) idea of freedom been so misconstrued as to be a free pass to do whatever you want? Shouldn't we as fellow citizens have the freedom to speak up against another when they're using their freedom in a way that harms themselves or others? But instead, people are accused of trying to impress their moral beliefs on that person. Since when did freedom mean everyone was free to do what they want, and no one was free to disagree with what others were free to do?
I have to say, I'm really looking forward to seeing other people's thoughts on this. Sometimes I feel like I've missed something, like a meeting where everyone agreed to stop caring enough about each other to stick our necks out for one another. Would you be offended if someone did that for you? Or even if you were offended, would that be so wrong?
Just because you don't think you're ProgU material, doesn't mean you aren't. There are all types here, as you will soon find out.
We all have an opinion, though I'm not too sure where I stand on some issues so I can't say what I am politically, if anything at all. I'm mixed on the "giving birth control/condoms" to high schoolers because the effect could go either way: Either kids are safer, or they will become sexually active before they're mentally mature enough for it.
Welcome to Progressive U. I think this is one of the few really good first blog entries I've seen in a while.
Whenever youngsters linger in a situation that is out of balance they adapt themselves in various way’s. Mentally and physically they unwarily undergo changes that will prepare them to be ready in case situations deteriorate into bad scenarios.
This is one of the reasons why young kids all over this globe get into sexual action at such a young age. Whether this is good or bad, right or wrong is not that much of an importance. The conditions and safety precautions are much more an important issue they all need to be brought to attention, continuously during the course of their education.
Welcome, ;-)
First, thanks so much for the welcome.
For you, how is having sex at a young age an adaptation to an out-of-balance situation? I can understand perhaps areas that are facing war and high death rates, where the survival of the people relies on equally high birth rates.
But I can't really see how there's any good in having early sex where the population is steady. Economically, it's a hardship. Emotionally, children are a joy, but for a child raising a child, it's no picnic. Man, for an adult raising a child, it's no picnic.
One other thing. I do agree with you that open discussion about the issue and efforts to help protect those who will make this choice are important, though especially open discussion. Yet, I worry when you say whether it's good or bad, or right or wrong, isn't that great of an importance. I know it's always difficult to label something as bad or wrong, because nobody really wants to condemn anyone else. But I think most people agree there are things that are just wrong. Maybe, what those things are becomes harder to discern. But if we agree that it's so, and something that people we care about are doing it, it's of great importance. In my opinion.
Once again though, I do thank you for the welcome!
Most of the food nowadays contains all the “nono” ingredients to keep the lit on one’s brains capabilities! The majority of people around are eating crap without even questioning the origins of the poison they consume on a daily basis and feed to their children.
In fact everybody loves that poison which they are all consuming in masses. The reasons why they love that food is because it has been manipulated. Many food items are containing additives that artificially trigger all sorts of reactions to provide you with a yummy sensation, while on the other hand it is especially created to affect you in more than one way. We might get back on this later.
The sad part is that these food items and additives not only affect our DNA pattern but they are not providing the nutrition that we are really in need of. The one’s providing you this food are fully aware of that!
Television is the number one tool to push one into a mind-control system! Many people believe to know what live is all about, I’m sorry to say that many are living their lives inside a balloon of ignorance.
Education is badly designed but effective to create one’s fake concept of (freedom) reality!
Work is properly designed to keep one around and in debt forever!
People are misled, indoctrinated, abused, filled with fear, murdered, kept in line, dictated what to do and manipulated throughout all active forms of worshipping religions!
Mobile phones cause damage throughout radiation, wireless internet devices are even worse! In regard to mobile phones they have approximately a 5 times stronger radiation and damaging effect upon our health.
This is a small part of the long list of elements that make we are living in world that is out of balance.
No need to mention that children are the most vulnerable around to suffer from all of this.
The reason behind all of this is rather simple, one can consider itself as being no more than a dispensable item with no other meaning than to serve a higher authority that caries but one goal, to enslave and abuse of ALL for profit.
So no need to blame your neighbour, the people that abuse of you are not to be seen during the course of your life, they are part of an group of individuals that control every aspect in your life like puppeteers, making you the puppet they form to become nothing more than an ordinary number on a list of millions they are pushing in this new version of global slavery.
The funny part of it all is that you are a slave living in freedom, your sensation of freedom is being brought to you throughout all the available channels of media that ensure you to become and remain DUMB, BLIND and OBIEDIENT!
For now it is more important to have a good look on what is happening in the backyard of your country, in order to get that understanding or bigger picture on why you (for now) might not understand what I’m explaining to you.
I cary an understanding this all might sound way to crazy to be true.
Children having sex is wrong but I carry an understanding on why they are having sex, but for now it is less important than for them being submitted to all of the above.
You are absolutely right in the whole of your reply, what you say is true, but allow yourself to question it even deeper by trying to find the roots of what is happening and therefore understand why changes appear in your surroundings.
Look for that dirty curtain that is clouding our vision, take a peek and reshuffle the vision you carry.
If you don’t know were to look, have a peek here! Not bad for a start to bring change in what is important to understand.
You don’t need to agree with what I tell you, question it all, the more you question things, the better understanding you will find in regard of what matters to all of us, and especially the younger one’s amongst us.
http://zeitgeistmovie.com/
Take care,
Wow. I just posted an entry on this very same question: Are we "too" free? I agree with you that sometimes we exercise our freedom without responsibility or accountability.
Regarding teens having sex: I remember a long, long time ago, when I was a teenager, I was one big bag of hormones. Back when I was in high school it was important for a girl to protect her virginity for as long as possible (interpreted by us teens to be until seventeen. Laughable, I know.)
My high school in Brooklyn, NY, was the first high school to begin distributing condoms in the 1990s. I remember getting a few and never using them. It was novelty, really.
Now things are quite different. Girls are racing to have sex so they won't feel left out and be accused of being prudes. Virginity is no longer worth protecting; it is something to get rid of as soon as possible. I'm not sure how we got to this place. But here we are. And an overwhelming amount of teenage girls and preteens are getting pregnant, having oral sex, and basically engaging in all kinds of sexual acts without protection.
In this type of environment, in this Gossip Girl age, I definitely condone distributing condoms, WITH parental consent and involvement and paired with comprehensive, age-appropriate sex education.
Knowledge is always key. And I remember being told all sorts of weird, dangerous things about sex that could have led to my getting pregnant or catching an STD. I was lucky. Others were not.
Once teens are taught the truth about sex I believe they are taking the first step towards establishing mature relationships and applying this knowledge in those relationships.
They're going to have sex, plain and simple. Physical transition into adults is quick; emotional transition is slower. It is a natural part of the human growth process. Abstinence is possible, but for some it takes tremendous willpower and if they are not prepared and protected, one lapse could be life-changing or fatal. And that to me is much more scary than the taboo idea of introducing contraception at the high school age.
If they can die doing it then we should do everything - EVERYTHING - possible to prevent it, and that includes educating as well as arming them.