Jenn Martinelli Blogging in Boston

Speener wrote at 2008-03-11 22:10:

OK - that cell phone story is awesome.

The state of the upcoming generation is abysmal. One has to wonder if this has been the trend since the beginning of time. What will the kids of these kids be like. Seriously - what will Nicole Ritchie's daughter be like? It's scary to think.

Jenn wrote at 2008-03-12 08:57:

Seriously, there's very little hope for the next generation. I do know a select few little ones who I know will grow up to be awesome, but unfortunately for them, they will not have much company in their peers.

Clementine wrote at 2008-03-12 13:58:

I have to say, I know so many awesome kids and teenagers that I'm very hopeful for our collective future.

Don't even get me started on the 1 in 4 girls with STDs, though. I disagree with you, JPP, that it's a matter of the girls themselves being skanky. I think it's more about a basic lack of health and sex ed.

You know I worked for years with kids and teens "at risk" in various capacities..."at risk" for teen pregnancy, "at risk" for suicidality, etc. From those kids/teens I learned that most young people want to keep themselves safe, but they're really and truly ignorant about basic health and sex ed. Remember how I told you about the 11- and 12-year old girls at the SYC who were having anal sex with their boyfriends in order to prevent pregnancy? They were having anal sex because it kept their boyfriends happy and (in their minds) was the least damaging option they choose for their bodies. As far as I know, I was the only adult in their lives saying to them, "Hey, anal sex might not get you pregnant as easily as vaginal sex might, but GODDAMN you're at crazy risk for HIV and other STDs!" When we talked about anal tears, HIV transmission, etc., they were like, "Holy shit, I had no idea that buttfucking is so dangerous." Adults have an obligation to tell kids the truth about their bodies and to help young people identify healthy sexual choices. It's all about the harm reduction, baby!

(By the way, this concludes my discussion of anal sex for the day. I know you'll be happy about that. Ha!)

Jenn wrote at 2008-03-12 14:13:

Seriously, that's what I'm saying - WTF is wrong with us that kids don't learn this stuff? Hello? Parents? Hello? Schools? Somebody? WTF? It's fucked up.

I know it's not just girls being skanky, that's just my leftover high school self thinking of all the skanky bitches I hated in high school. ;)

And also, as a final note, kids can be real fucking assholes to each other.

Clementine wrote at 2008-03-12 15:59:

Right on. I only objected to your skanky comment, lady!

I've never seen a school health curriculum talk frankly about sex/health ed. I also don't know many parents who talk about harm reduction with their kids, either--for most parents it's just, "Don't have sex. If you do, use a condom." Hester's gonna frickkin hate me when she's older, but it's my job to help her learn about her body and about the repercussions her choices can have. If she decides to have sex at age 11 (and god for-fucking-bid, by the way), at the very least she'll have the info she needs to make informed choices about her body and health. She might choose to ignore that info, but she won't be ignorant. And hey, if I traumatize her by too much talk about chlamydia, she can always call you and commiserate. Am I right?

Jenn wrote at 2008-03-12 16:13:

Oh I think you're right on the traumatizing bit. I have a feeling that might come up. ;)

sheilagh wrote at 2008-03-20 13:32:

how come no quotes on the std rate for guys? oh. that's right. there's more reliable data for girls cuz THEY GET TREATED. what's skanky about being responsible?

Jenn wrote at 2008-03-20 13:44:

I know, I overstated the skankiness. See my above conversation w/Clementine.