A New York state-funded safe sex campaign is under fire for being too "racy." The web series, posted on Vimeo.com last month, is called "More Than Just Sex" and features five PSAs starring teen actors. The videos aim to "empower young people to make positive decisions, create social change, and reduce the rates of teen pregnancy, STD's and HIV." But some critics are picking on the spicy terms used in the PSAs -- like "raw dogging" and "baby mama drama" -- claiming they're over the top. But I'm sure that's not what they really want or mean to say.
More than anything, I'm sure the bone they have to pick with the campaign is based on the mere fact that it's a government-funded campaign for safe sex (read: NOT abstinence-only education). $15K of government money went to filming these PSAs. Those opposed to them likely have a problem with the state spending precious tax dollars on teaching teens about sex at all. But that's too bad.
It's sad, but the truth is not all parents speak to their teens about safe sex soon or thoroughly enough. Some may avoid the topic altogether. And if kids aren't getting that honest, detailed discussion on the matter at home, they have to find it elsewhere. The next best thing is one of these PSAs and/or public school comprehensive sex ed class, both funded by the government. Also, I'd venture to say that even if teens are talking to their parents about the birds and the bees, it couldn't hurt to have them hearing the facts about safe sex from multiple sources. It's one of those topics you can't hear too much about. The more knowledge, the more power.
The state is also responsible for addressing public health concerns, and being that city health department statistics show teens make up more than a quarter of sexually transmitted infection patients in New York City, it's in everyone's best interest that New York state does its part to educate teens and curb STDs and unwanted pregnancies. I'm not sure I see how it's even an argument.
Here's one of the supposedly controversial PSAs ...
How do you feel about these state-funded PSAs?
Image via trec_lit/Flickr
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Comments 22
I think the biggest parenting myth out there is that teaching HOW to have safe sex will somehow KEEP kids safe when it comes to sex. There are so many more emotional risks to sex than just STDs and pregnancy. My parents told me about my body, sex, and responsibility very early (my mom was 8 when she got her first period, so she had my talk when I was 8). Sex ed class taught me about the plumbing, my parents taught me how wonderful and fulfilling sex could be within marriage and all the emotional pangs that come with jumping from bed to bed. I made my own mistakes, so I know firsthand how truthful they were being. I hope to teach my son the same way, and I hope he listens better than I did.
I'm with Kady on this issue! ..
Kady is wise. I got married in my 30s with no children or STDs, and then is when I REALLY needed the info I learned back in 7th grade. I needed to know about anatomy and pregnancy and all that stuff in my marriage. Spacing my kids out to give my body time to recover involved knowing about birth control. I have never understood why "sex ed" is thought to be only about teens.
And I also agree with Living Abroad, that there is much more to sex than babies and diseases. For teens, in marriage, etc. I can't imagine dealing with all that drama in high school or college, but if someone is going to (and some of my ILs are married in HS/college), then they'd best know all about it.
i think the biggest problem mary, is that parents tend to miss the boat on when their kids are ready.
The reality is,kids don't like to listen to their parents,but they do listen to other kids.My daughter has severe menstrual cramps and also complains about her skin.I thought I would take that opportunity to talk to her about the benefits of birth control pills.I wanted my daughter protected before she actually needed it and thought the cramps/clear skin issue would give her some incentive to agree to it.I was wrong.She freaked out at me for even suggesting it(I also talked to her about condoms).When her friends started talking about BC being great for cramps/skin,she told me what a great idea her friends had and started asking for BC.Whatever it takes.