I take the stance that I do not believe most people who have contracted sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are amoral or corrupt. I believe there are may people who are simply misinformed or uneducated about the dangers of such diseases and procedures to protect themselves. We cannot mask the problem with accusations and insults, we must shed light upon the importance of practicing safe sexual encounters and the importance of using protection. Educating and counseling may, perhaps, assist more people much more successfully than berating.
If a person contracts an STI or STD, I am of an opinion he or she may have not been educated with regards to the basic rules of protection, may be unaware of their partner's sexual practices, may have fallen victim to a violent sexual crime, or may have fallen in "love or other" and assumed the person who is the object of their affection is clean based on a quick glance of their outer appearance.
In such cases, one should be educated on the importance not depending upon a person's "clean" outer appearance or their word that they are disease free. A person must be educated to rely upon the safety of protection with the use of condoms and possible abstinence until there is certainty no such diseases are present. Also, a person may have contracted the disease or infection by a partner who is promiscuous and does not protect himself or herself from infection thereby infecting the unsuspecting partner (Population Action International, 2008). For the women and children who are sexually violated, more protection from various governments must prevail to guard such precious souls against such violent acts. They are harmed and infected with such diseases as HIV, herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea and AIDS through no fault of their own (TEDIndia, 2009).
Population Action International (Producer). (November, 2008). Silent Partner: HIV in a marriage.
Retrieved from http://www.populationaction.org/silentpartner/
TED India (Producer). (December, 2009). Sunitha Krishnan fights sex slavery. Retrieved from
http://www.ted.com/talks/sunitha_krishnan_tedindia.html
Hi Betryse,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your blog and I like your point of view. There are a lot of people that are clueless when it comes to STI’s. It is scary because they don’t realize the risks they are taking, and how it could affect them physically and emotionally. I think that people definitely need to be educated on the matter and unfortunately a little less trusting. People shouldn’t just assume that their partners are clean and are only having relationships with them. It is still important to use protection and get exams, for their own health. I hope more people will become educated, and start using protection and being tested for STI’s. I also hope that people who have them, will be honest with their partners!
Meghan McGehee
Hi Betryse,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that lack of education is what is causes the spread of diseases. I also believe that some people may think they are the only one in their partners bed but that might not be the case. You assume that when you are committed to a person that your sexual life is with only that one person, but in reality if your partner is sleeping around and not using protection you are too if yourself are not proctecting yourself. It is a scary thought that you are being faithful and committed your partner and in return your partner could be unfaithful and putting you at risk.
Very ture. I am a firm believer in education is power. Knowledge is a very powerful too that can be life changing. I definately agree with your posting.
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