1 in 4 teenage girls....
I'm posting this in here,(in the debate club) because I know that this will turn into a debate, and if any of you feel you will be offended by what I'm about to post, please don't read it, or if you have any children that can read, and you're afraid of them reading this, once again, you can choose not to read it, although, it may be a good oppurtunity to sit down and speak with your children (girls) about the following issue, because it is a serious issue, and an issue that needs to be addressed.
1 in 4 teen girls has sexually transmitted disease
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updated 12:32 p.m. ET, Tues., March. 11, 2008
CHICAGO - Startling government research on teenage girls and sexually transmitted diseases sends a blunt message to kids who think they’re immune: It’s liable to happen to you or someone you know.
In the first study of its kind, researchers at the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found at least one in 4 teenage American girls has a sexually transmitted disease.
The most common one is a virus that can cause cervical cancer, and the second most common can cause infertility. Nearly half the black teens in the study had at least one sexually transmitted infection, versus 20 percent among both whites and Mexican-American teens.
The study, released Tuesday at an STD prevention conference, has adolescent-health specialists pointing to possible reasons and offering potential solutions.
Blame is most often placed on inadequate sex education, from parents and from schools focusing too much on abstinence-only programs. Add to that a young person’s sense of being invulnerable.
“This is pretty shocking,” said Dr. Elizabeth Alderman, an adolescent medicine specialist at Montefiore Medical Center’s Children’s Hospital in New York.
“To talk about abstinence is not a bad thing,” but teen girls — and boys too — need to be informed about how to protect themselves if they do have sex, Alderman said.
Only about half of the girls in the study acknowledged having sex. Some teens define sex as only intercourse, yet other types of intimate behavior including oral sex can spread some diseases.
Among those who admitted having sex, the rate was even more disturbing — 40 percent had an STD.
“Those numbers are certainly alarming,” said sex education expert Nora Gelperin, who works with a teen-written Web site called sexetc.org.
“Sexuality is still a very taboo subject in our society,” she said. “Teens tell us that they can’t make decisions in the dark and that adults aren’t properly preparing them to make responsible decisions.”
Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said the study shows that “the national policy of promoting abstinence-only programs is a $1.5 billion failure, and teenage girls are paying the real price.”
Similar claims were made last year when the government announced the teen birth rate rose between 2005 and 2006, the first increase in 15 years.
The overall STD rate among the 838 girls in the study was 26 percent, which translates to more than 3 million girls nationwide, the CDC said.
HPV most common
The study by CDC researcher Dr. Sara Forhan is an analysis of nationally representative data on 838 girls aged 14 to 19 who took part in a 2003-04 government health survey. Teens were tested for four infections: human papillomavirus, or HPV, which can cause cervical cancer and affected 18 percent of girls studied; chlamydia, which affected 4 percent; trichomoniasis, 2.5 percent; and genital herpes, 2 percent.
Dr. John Douglas, director of the CDC’s division of STD prevention, said the results are the first to examine the combined national prevalence of common sexually transmitted diseases among adolescent girls. He said the data likely reflect current prevalence rates.
HPV can cause genital warts but often has no symptoms. A vaccine targeting several HPV strains recently became available, but Douglas said it likely has not yet had much impact on HPV prevalence rates in teen girls.
Chlamydia can cause an abnormal discharge and painful urination, but often has no symptoms. Signs of trichomoniasis are similar, and both diseases can be treated with antibiotics. Genital herpes can cause blisters but also is often symptomless. It can’t be cured but medicine can help.
The CDC recommends annual chlamydia screening for all sexually active women under age 25. It also recommends the three-dose HPV vaccine for girls aged 11-12 years, and catch-up shots for females aged 13 to 26.
The CDC’s Dr. Kevin Fenton said that given the potential complications from STDs, “screening, vaccination and other prevention strategies for sexually active women are among our highest public health priorities.”
Douglas said screening tests are underused in part because many teens don’t think they’re at risk, but also, some doctors mistakenly think: “Sexually transmitted diseases don’t happen to the kinds of patients I see.”
Teens need to hear the dual message that STDs can be prevented by abstinence and condoms — and hear them often, said Dr. Ellen Kruger, an obstetrician-gynecologist at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans.
“You’ve got to hammer at them,” with appropriate information at each stage of teen development to make sure it sinks in, she said.
She said there are a lot of myths out there, too — many sexually active teens think the withdrawal method will protect them, or that douching with Coca-Cola will kill STD germs.
Dr. Margaret Blythe, an adolescent medicine specialist at Indiana University School of Medicine, said some doctors hesitate to discuss STDs with teen patients or offer screening because of confidentiality concerns, knowing parents would have to be told of the results.
Blythe, who heads an American Academy of Pediatrics committee on adolescence, noted that the academy supports confidential teen screening.
It also recommends the three-dose HPV vaccine for girls aged 11-12 years, and catch-up shots for females aged 13 to 26.
I have an 11 year old daughter and the fact that there is no real track record for the vaccination is troubling to me. My wife and I have had multiple discussions about this and we still haven't determined whether or not she will get this vaccination. If we do it the long term side effects are unknown, and we are leaving her vulnerable if we don't.
Plus I have found conflicting information how many cases of cervical cancer are a direct result of HPV.
Maybe we should be teaching the parents, and then the children!!
The babies having babies is what really seems to perpetuate this. I am not saying that children of people, who were older when they had children, never have sex. I have 2 customers who are under 36 and are grandparents. You would have thought with all the struggles they went through, they would have had their daughters under lock and key until they were 35, explaining why they should wait and I am not even talking about from a religious standpoint.
But I may be considering locking my kids up until they turn 35....is that acceptable?
I am in agreement with what you are saying. But there are many people who aren't religious or don't really care to be married. No matter what you say to them, there are going to be those teens who do have sex. While we should be teaching them to hold off, should we turn our heads away from the ones that do have sex? Should we not teach them how to try and protect themselves and then at that point reiterate that nothing is 100% safe as well as the emotional aspect of it(that they aren't anywhere near ready)?
You can't make a child grow up to be a good person. You can only show them the right way and hope you both taught them well and also were a good example for them to follow. And I think that is the crux of the matter. We want to be able to tell our kids the right thing to do but we don't want to have to do it ourselves. Or we want to be able to allow our kids to do whatever they want to do and not have to pay the consequences for their actions. Just like so many parents who bail their kids out of situation after situation because we don't want to see them get hurt. But you can't deny it, every action has a consequence.
Teaching them that they should save themselves for marriage, and teaching them what all of the consequences are if they decide not to. But for heaven's sake don't give them false hope in believing that a condem will protect them.
But I may be considering locking my kids up until they turn 35....is that acceptable?
what? Locking your children up til they're 18? 
Linda, here is a link that explains what it is. I had to look it up too, becuase I've never heard of it either.
http://www.brown.edu/Student_Services/Health_Services/Health_Education/sexual_health/ssc/dams.htm
what the heck is a dental dam, and what does lube have to do with protecting our kids from std's???? Do not make fun of my questions, everyone with a smart a## comment just 
It is just that we don't like the solution.
I contacted a Milt friend of mine that is very involved with this. She has devoted much of her time educating people about this. She writes for a Newspaper in Philly, and is VERY involved in various charities, and other causes. She's in the middle of re-launching her organization Cover Your Lover (A Music AIDS Organization) ( I took this off of her myspace page)Established in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 2003, Cover Your Lover is an organization dedicated to reducing HIV/AIDS infections and other sexual transmitted diseases in the community by promoting abstinence, distributing protection, educating about sexual health and installing respect over the body of self and body of others. Cover Your Lover has won over several awards for its dedication to the fight.
Oh and I believe she was also honored by MHS a few years ago for the work she has done as well.
Here is what she had to say to me about this subject. (and I agree with her)
"What you can say is that abstaining from sex, whether that be anal, oral or vaginal isn't a guarantee that you won't get an STD, because many STD's can be recieved without a sex act. Not only that, but studies do show that abstinence only teaching doesn't work. Take a look at schools that are governmentally mandated and even Catholic schools. Girls are still becoming pregnant and they are still getting STD's. While I am and the world is all about abstinence and teaching it, the reality is that teenagers experiment and they are getting to know their bodies and their sexuality. So, why not send them with the best knowledge we have to give them about abstinence so they are armed with the best knowledge for whatever they will find themselves in.
Abstinence only teaching also doesn't fit to the reality of many teens' lives. For instance, if they have low self-esteem, come from a disrespectful home of ignorance or were abused whether physically or mentally, feeling worth it through their body is often their outlet. Looking at the way teens are raised, they have a mountain of influences that shape their sexuality. Waiting is nice...but not a reality.
Sexual education means comprehensive education to arm these girls with what they will need to protect themselves. Many people that want abstinence only education are so out of touch with the modern world and how this generation is coming up. It isn't as easy as saying abstinence only when these youth aren't all cookie-cutter kids that come from cookie-cutter situations.
The effective way to tackle this STD issue is to go to the root of why? The root of their esteem, self-love, self-respect, self-worth and self-confidence. AIDS continues to rise, STD's continue to rise and plenty of that is due to an abstinence only education and not more being done.
I think another myth is that people who teach about condoms only teach about condoms. No, we teach about lube, dental dams, other intimacy tactics that don't involve fluids as well as ABSTINENCE. But we are real about it.
You wouldn't send a soldier to war ill-equipped, don't do it to these kids.
Not comparing war and sex, but both end up with lives lost."
what is the solution?
that these sex education programs have been shoved down the public school kid's throats and nothing good has come of it. Teen pregnancy continues to rise....teen STDs continue to rise...sex ed IS NOT working.
my point is, that too many people aren't even doing what you are talking about. Yes, condoms aren't 100% but if no one talks to them or gives them information we will still see this same problem over and over. I think abstinence is the way to go, but I don't think we shouldn't let them be educated to make safer decisions (if they do have sex).
HOWEVER.......my problem comes when people say if you use a condom you are safe, or in your case since you wore one, you say, "I was safe" safe from what? Your girl could have still gotten pregnant, you both could have still gotten HIV, and other STD's had they been present in one of you, and had the condom torn, or had the virus or std been able to penetrate the tiny holes in the condom. So my talks with my kids will include the cold hard facts about condoms, sure it is better if you use one, but you are still gambling with your life! I also believe it FULL disclosure when you are about to have sex with someone or get married to someone, if you waited til you got married to have sex, you have a right to know about every single person that your partner slept with, and you better be prepared to give them the truth also, then you can both decide if it is something you still want to do. Just my thoughts....
that abstinence is the best way. There are unfortunately teens who are still going to have sex, even ones who have parents talking to them about abstinence. So do we not teach them how to be safe? We can't be so blind to think that abstinence only programs are going to solve the problem. Obviously, Catholic and Christian schools will be taking that route and I don't have a problem with that at all. So, as parents, if you don't believe in sex before marriage, do you just teach your kids about abstinence and the benefit of it? What if they do have sex, and you don't know about it? Would you rather them be safe or naive?
I was born and raised Catholic. I was only ever taught no premarital sex. Some of my friends stayed true to that, but even more didn't. Most of them were safe, a few weren't. I wasn't an angel either but I was safe. I realize that most beliefs/faith don't allow for birth control of any kind (ie condoms) but the reality of the situation is that there are going to be high school and college aged kids that have sex and if they should decide to have sex, they should have knowledge on how to be safe about it.
Planned Parenthood is full of crap.
be like me and don't have kids! just kidding, lock em in the basement? I don't know if there is anything my parents could have said (cause they never did) that would have made a difference.... I dunno.
Planned Parenthood President Statement On CDC Report on Teen STI Rate
Cecile Richards
President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America
New York — Today’s news that more than three million teenage girls have a sexually transmitted infection (STI) emphasizes the need for real comprehensive sex education. The national policy of promoting abstinence-only programs is a $1.5 billion failure, and teenage girls are paying the real price.
The statistic that one in four teen girls has an STI may come as a shock to parents, but it underscores what Planned Parenthood and those who work tirelessly to reduce the numbers of both STIs and unintended pregnancies already know too well: it is time for everyone who cares about teenagers to start focusing on the commonsense solutions that will help solve this problem.
All too often in our society, teens are bombarded with conflicting messages about sex. They are looking to us for honest and accurate information so they can make responsible decisions. As the mother of two teenagers, I know it can be difficult to talk with your kids about sex. We need education programs in our schools that will keep teens healthy — by including information about abstinence as well as contraception, healthy communication, responsible decision making, and prevention of sexually transmitted infections.
Fortunately, the word is getting out. Iowa just became the 17th state to reject federal funding for dangerous abstinence-only programs. Congress should put the right foot forward and immediately stop funding for dangerous abstinence-only programs that deny young people information about how to prevent pregnancy, protect their health and make responsible decisions.
It’s time to put money toward real solutions that will help prevent sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies among teenagers.
###
Planned Parenthood Federation of America is the nation's leading sexual and reproductive health care advocate and provider. We believe that everyone has the right to choose when or whether to have a child, and that every child should be wanted and loved. Planned Parenthood affiliates operate more than 860 health centers nationwide, providing medical services and sexuality education for millions of women, men, and teenagers each year. We also work with allies worldwide to ensure that all women and men have the right and the means to meet their sexual and reproductive health care needs.
I agree to the extent that this is the PARENTS responsibility! We talk about sex, very openly in our household. We want our children to be able to ask us questions and to feel "relatively" comfortable in talking with us about sex. (We are usually the one's doing the talking, but they ARE listening.)
Jordan, who will be 17 at the end of the month made a very important personal choice for himself years ago, which, he has stuck to thus far. However,I know as he gets older, and gets more deeply in 
with his girlfriend (who he has been dating for a year and one month) he must struggle with it internally. But, between our household and hers, we have certain rules that do not allow them to be tempted, or allow them to fail. Additionally, I have yet to see him put himself in a situation which would set him up to fail himself. So, I am very proud of him for sticking to his own personal promise, KNOWING, how hard it is, and the internal struggles.
As for Casey, she is still "too young", and really not thinking "sex" yet. However, we have not thought that because of that it was too soon to start educating her. As uncomfortable as she is with discussing ANY issues that relate to the body, she does listen, especially most recently.
I do not have a problem with the school teaching my children regarding subjects that fall within the guidelines of "health". I know because of the open lines of communication, any important decisions that would need to made, WOULD be made at home!
And, the reality, as unfortunate as it is, is that there ARE parents out there NOT teaching their children. It's also obvious that they are not learning from what they are being taught in school either! 
problem if the schools teach abstinence. It is the best way not to get anything, plus, teens (girls AND boys - just for you Amy 
) aren't ready for sex. But they should also explain birth control and the emotional aspect of it. Parents have, have, have to be involved constantly with this or else we will continue to see these types of reports. Regardless of religious belief, there shouldn't be a parent out there thinking it is ok for their child to have sex. Parents just need to step it up, if they don't, then when their children have kids, they aren't going to feel it is necessary to step it up either.
that the condom can not prevent the aids or HIV virus from passing thru the microscopic holes in the latex of the condom. So how is that prevention???? It is FALSE security, absitnence is the ONLY sure thing that you will not get STD's or have an unwanted pregnancy. I agree with Keoni 100% that the parents should be teaching morals at home and that Bill Clinton just gave the young teens a reason to start the oral sex epidemic. A few years ago Dateline NBC did a story on how MIDDLE SCHOOL kids were giving each other oral sex so they could still say they were virgins. That is SOOOO mortifying to me. and how degrading for the young girls who are doing this...they get NOTHING out of it but humiliation and the possibility of diseases and a sure fire bad reputation. I have no problem with programs that educate teens, but when Planned parenthood doesn't give the proper counseling to the girls and they don't tell the parents this makes me so 
As long as my child is in my house and under 18 they are MY responsibility and if they get pregnant or an std. It should be up to ME and the child what we do with the baby, my child is still a child and too young to realize all the consequences that come with abortion, and they may not realize that after I get over the initial schock, and disappointment, that I may be willing to be there for them and help her raise the baby and keep it in our family. that is all for now. 
Given that I have a teenage boy, and a rapidly approaching teenage girl, I have not, for one minute kidded myself that I have only had to worry about my daughter when it comes to sex education, diseases, etc.
What about the boys?!?!? Does no one care what the stats are for teenage boys?!?!? Girls are just getting it from THIN AIR. They are having sex with someone, they are contracting it from someone/somewhere, etc.! I'm not placing blame here, but we need to make sure that we are covering ALL of our bases!
I think we take a blind eye when it comes to our young men!
But when I lived in a town that had an abortion clinic I went all the time.
unc
I agree Unc, abstinence should be taught by parents. Not asking for an answer here, but how many actually talk it and remind/repeat it? How many actually had sex in high school? How many who did used protection and will you tell your teens, even though you may be preaching abstinence to them? Some kids will rebel, yes even some of ours and just burying our head in the sand saying "I preached abstinence to my kids." won't be good enough. They need to know that if they do, then this is what you need to do to protect yourself.
I am no angel so I speak from experience and can say "You aren't ready!" You aren't ready emotionally or mentally regardless of what you say. Parents are the front line. I think too many try to pass the buck onto schools etc. The schools can be a tool for them to use, but ultimately, it is the parents responsibility to guide their children. Teach them right from wrong. Help them grow up so they can deal with everything that comes with sex.
yesterday, I was doing something, I heard the tv in the background, and heard them say, 1 in 4 teenage girls has an STD, I just stopped what I was doing to make sure I heard that right. Just think of any 4 girls you know, and the possiblity of one of them having an STD.
I don't agree with just teaching abstinence, and I don't agree with some of these protest groups that protest the Planned Parenthood. I have a friend (a Milt) that lives in Philly, and she has her own organization (charity) and she spreads the word to young woman about AIDS, and various STD's, and I remember her telling me, that the groups that protest what she does, makes her efforts that much harder.
This all started b/c "oral sex isn't sex" statement by Bill. The teens use that theory to perform oral sex and still be virgins. This is sick. 
1.5 billion to promote abstinence's. It should be taught by these kids parents and not cost one penny. This is moral decay and a society that is too "LIBERAL".
unc
yesterday morning and was MORTIFIED!
It also recommends the three-dose HPV vaccine for girls aged 11-12 years, and catch-up shots for females aged 13 to 26.
I have an 11 year old daughter and the fact that there is no real track record for the vaccination is troubling to me. My wife and I have had multiple discussions about this and we still haven't determined whether or not she will get this vaccination. If we do it the long term side effects are unknown, and we are leaving her vulnerable if we don't.
Plus I have found conflicting information how many cases of cervical cancer are a direct result of HPV.
Thank you Clay!
People hear "Cervical Cancer", and immediately jump to "HPV". HPV IS NOT the ONLY cause of Cervical Cancer! While HPV IS a cause of Cervical Cancer, it is not the ONLY cause. And therefore, not all woman with Cervical Cancer have HPV, or have gotten it from the HPV virus! And, this shot does not guarantee that you, or your daughter are safeguarded from Cervical Cancer. (I cringe at "false securities"!)
And Clay, not that you need my approval, but I appreciate the parents who discuss this issue before allowing their daughter to just get the shot. I think information is knowledge, and discussing this amongst yourselves, as well as with your daughter is a MUST!