Spread education, not STDs
By LaWanda Wallace
Guest Columnist
There are many questions about HIV/AIDS, but few answers for how to stop the spread of the disease in the black community. Even though blacks make up approximately 13 percent of the population, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that African Americans comprise 49 percent of current AIDS cases and were 52 percent of new AIDS cases in 2004.
Studies of HIV/AIDS have largely focused on intravenous drug users and bisexual or homosexual men. This focus is shortsighted. It decreases the responsibility of all people to help prevent HIV/AIDS and other STDs.
We must improve the way we teach sexual education to young boys and girls. Males in this society are taught to equate (heterosexual) sex and sexuality with maleness and masculinity. This bias must be eliminated, and young men and women must be taught the importance of abstaining from sex or limiting their sexual partners. Young people must be taught the importance of knowing people, their sexual history and maintaining friendships before they become fully engaged sexually.
Adults and young people alike should be taught the importance of birth control and how to use it – specifically, condoms. Condoms are the only birth control method that can protect against HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (as well as pregnancy) if used correctly. A majority of condom failure is due to human error (such as not holding onto the condom ring upon sexual withdrawal).
The embarrassment of buying and having condoms must be eliminated for both men and women. Women should have and carry their own condoms and not have sex with any man who will not use condoms. People who care about themselves and their sexual partners will always insists on wearing a condom or not having sex at all. They will also insist on knowing the sexual history of their partners. If disclosure is problematic, then your partner probably has something to hide and this secret could be detrimental to your health!
It is never too early (or too late) for sex education, communication and encouraging sexual responsibility. It is not “the talk” that happens one time, but an ongoing conversation throughout childhood and young adulthood. The first talks should teach proper names for genitalia and what each part does. Children should be taught proper and improper touch and respect for their body and other people’s bodies.
Later talks should include open communication about sex, puberty, reproduction, and the emotional changes that can occur at that time (and on productive ways to deal with issues like jealousy and anger). Talks on proper and improper touch should be expanded to include discussions of molestation and rape. Children and young adults should be taught about drugs and alcohol and how they play into irresponsible sexual behavior.
This is also a good time to reinforce positive body affirmation and the importance of loving themselves and their bodies. Teach boys and girls that not everyone is worthy of their time, pleasure and what else they have to offer. Many men and women have sex seeking the physical warmth and attachment denied to them when younger. Hug, smile, kiss and praise your children and teenagers often.
Last, but not least, fear or homosexuality needs to be replaced with understanding of it and the issues of surrounding it. Women have to realize that cheating is cheating. Heterosexual male cheaters can spread disease just as easily as homosexual male cheaters. Fear, harassment, and misunderstanding of men who are bi- or homosexual can drive them into depression and destructive behavior, such as sexual promiscuity (thus spreading disease).
It is everyone’s responsibility to be true to themselves and loved ones. We must also be responsible and limit our sexual partners, use condoms, get educated about the prevention and spread of disease, and share this education with others.