Created by: Jillian
Many people were outraged over the Octomom, and if not outraged, most people felt something. I placed blame on fertility medicine...unregulated and out of control.
However, in reading Dr. Lorna Marshall's recent article, which highlights the medical standard of care developed by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, I am less likely to place blame on the medical profession and am more likely to express public concern over a fertility industry that is driven by the incredible desire of an individual to have a child.
While I completely agree with Dr. Marshall that impulse policies are not the solution...I do believe that we must do something. Multiple births, for the most part, are not healthy for the mother, for the child, and can be extremely costly to our society.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Why are 20 something's so clueless about sex?
Created by: Jillian
A new survey by Self Magazine and the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy found some startling results about 20-somethings knowledge of sex, birth control, and various other contraceptive methods.
The survey questions why, "in an era of plentiful information and less stigma about using birth control", American women in their 20's keep getting pregnant even though they don't want to.
Hmmm...we may be in an era of plentiful information, but that doesn't mean it's the information young women and men need to make informed decisions about having sex and protecting themselves from disease and unintended pregnancy.
Some startling results from the survey:
50% cannot name when in her monthly cycle a woman is most likely to get pregnant.
64% of women do not know emergency contraception is now sold without a prescription.
Us 20-somethings are part of a generation that did not receive sex education...maybe that has something to do with it??
And yet, we continue to fund abstinence only education...
A new survey by Self Magazine and the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy found some startling results about 20-somethings knowledge of sex, birth control, and various other contraceptive methods.
The survey questions why, "in an era of plentiful information and less stigma about using birth control", American women in their 20's keep getting pregnant even though they don't want to.
Hmmm...we may be in an era of plentiful information, but that doesn't mean it's the information young women and men need to make informed decisions about having sex and protecting themselves from disease and unintended pregnancy.
Some startling results from the survey:
50% cannot name when in her monthly cycle a woman is most likely to get pregnant.
64% of women do not know emergency contraception is now sold without a prescription.
Us 20-somethings are part of a generation that did not receive sex education...maybe that has something to do with it??
And yet, we continue to fund abstinence only education...
Monday, March 30, 2009
Sexual Predator or Product of a Sexualized Society?
Created by: Jillian
A 14-year-old New Jersey girl has been accused of child pornography after posting naked photos of herself on myspace.
The Attorney General of New Jersey and the police cannot recall another such case in the state's history. Really? That's crazy seeing as MySpace has only been around for less that 5 years! (Sarcasm intended)
Thankfully, Maureen Kanka, the mother of Megan, for whom Megan's law was named after, is the voice of reason on this topic, stating that “This shouldn’t fall under Megan’s Law in any way, shape or form. She [14-year-old NJ girl] should have an intervention and counseling, because the only person she exploited was herself.”
Rather than questioning what charges youth who post naked photos should receive, we should be asking why youth are posting naked photos in the first place?
Could it have anything to do with that fact that our youth are living in a highly sexualized society that refuses to discuss or teach them anything about their sexuality? Hmmm.
A 14-year-old New Jersey girl has been accused of child pornography after posting naked photos of herself on myspace.
The Attorney General of New Jersey and the police cannot recall another such case in the state's history. Really? That's crazy seeing as MySpace has only been around for less that 5 years! (Sarcasm intended)
Thankfully, Maureen Kanka, the mother of Megan, for whom Megan's law was named after, is the voice of reason on this topic, stating that “This shouldn’t fall under Megan’s Law in any way, shape or form. She [14-year-old NJ girl] should have an intervention and counseling, because the only person she exploited was herself.”
Rather than questioning what charges youth who post naked photos should receive, we should be asking why youth are posting naked photos in the first place?
Could it have anything to do with that fact that our youth are living in a highly sexualized society that refuses to discuss or teach them anything about their sexuality? Hmmm.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Abortion & Pregnancy Counseling on TV
Created by: Jillian
The U.K. is proposing to allow abortion and pregnancy counseling advertising on TV. The proposal would also require that services who don't offer abortion as an option make that clear in their advertising.
Wonderful news! Way to be U.K!
The proposed changes would impose a new "social responsibility" rule for television and radio, ensuring that ads are "legal, decent, honest and truthful". The U.K. has the worst teen pregnancy rate in Western Europe, but not as bad as the US.
And here in the US, we don't even have a standard approach to teaching youth comprehensive sex education.
I think that if we are going to permit highly sexualized television shows, like The Bachelor, Double Shot of Love, 90210, and the like to be on TV during hours when children and teens are obviously watching, why wouldn't we offer socially responsible advertising?
What do you think?
The U.K. is proposing to allow abortion and pregnancy counseling advertising on TV. The proposal would also require that services who don't offer abortion as an option make that clear in their advertising.
Wonderful news! Way to be U.K!
The proposed changes would impose a new "social responsibility" rule for television and radio, ensuring that ads are "legal, decent, honest and truthful". The U.K. has the worst teen pregnancy rate in Western Europe, but not as bad as the US.
And here in the US, we don't even have a standard approach to teaching youth comprehensive sex education.
I think that if we are going to permit highly sexualized television shows, like The Bachelor, Double Shot of Love, 90210, and the like to be on TV during hours when children and teens are obviously watching, why wouldn't we offer socially responsible advertising?
What do you think?
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Lies & Scare Tactics from the Catholic Bishops
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has decided to use lies and scare tactics to push an anti-abortion message against a piece of legislation, the Freedom of Choice Act, that does not even exist yet.
James Salt, director of organizing for the progressive organization Catholics United said it best, "In this time of increasing job layoffs, poverty, and food insecurity across America, we should instead be calling on Catholics to commit increased resources to helping children and families survive the collapsing economy."
Created by: Jillian
James Salt, director of organizing for the progressive organization Catholics United said it best, "In this time of increasing job layoffs, poverty, and food insecurity across America, we should instead be calling on Catholics to commit increased resources to helping children and families survive the collapsing economy."
Created by: Jillian
Bristol Palin--New Advocate for Preventing Teen Pregnancy
In an interview with Fox News, Bristol Palin discussed the hardships and joys of being a teen mom. She also cautioned young people that being a teen mom is difficult and that waiting to have a child would have been her preferred option.
It's definitely worth watching the interview and make sure to tune in to the second video that features Governor Sarah Palin. Maybe having experienced a teenage daughter getting pregnancy herself will help inform her policy positions on sex education. It shouldn't have to be that way...but if it took a personal experience to change her view on abstinence only education, all the better.
My favorite comments of Governor Palin's comes at the end of the interview:
"You get beyond that ideal of "yeah, abstinence, don't get pregnant". Get beyond that. Life happens and you deal with it"
Wow. Hopefully this means that both republicans and democrats, anti-choicers and pro-choicers can finally come togetherand agree that our youth need sex education that works--comprehensive, medically accurate, and age appropriate!
Created by: Jillian
It's definitely worth watching the interview and make sure to tune in to the second video that features Governor Sarah Palin. Maybe having experienced a teenage daughter getting pregnancy herself will help inform her policy positions on sex education. It shouldn't have to be that way...but if it took a personal experience to change her view on abstinence only education, all the better.
My favorite comments of Governor Palin's comes at the end of the interview:
"You get beyond that ideal of "yeah, abstinence, don't get pregnant". Get beyond that. Life happens and you deal with it"
Wow. Hopefully this means that both republicans and democrats, anti-choicers and pro-choicers can finally come togetherand agree that our youth need sex education that works--comprehensive, medically accurate, and age appropriate!
Created by: Jillian
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Great success at the Hartford Brunch
The first annual Hartford-area Pro-Choice Men Make Brunch took place on Sunday. It was generously hosted by Thom Page and Karen Reich, whose beautiful home was the perfect setting. I've been to the Fairfield County brunch a number of times, and I always enjoy it. The Hartford event had a somewhat different feel - more casual, less scene-y - and it totally worked. The chefs turned out a delightful meal, and there was a great crowd of politicians and other friends of Choice. Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, who I always enjoy hearing, gave some inspired words about the Connecticut's leadership role in fighting the outgoing administration's regulations. Jillian gave a legislative update, including some color on the impact the budget shortfall will have to our initiatives.
Support for NARAL Pro-Choice Connecticut remains critical. For the first time, I'll be working with Jillian and other board members to plan this spring's Fairfield County event. Hope to see you there!
Support for NARAL Pro-Choice Connecticut remains critical. For the first time, I'll be working with Jillian and other board members to plan this spring's Fairfield County event. Hope to see you there!
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