I had two lovely plesaures this week - one was to spend some time surfing the website, The Midwest Teen Sex Show (MTSS), which labels itself as a "video show about teen sexuality" and the second was my telephone conversation with Dr. Marty Klein, a noted Marriage Counselor and Sex Therapist.
What do the two have in common - well, for one, MTSS has a tremendous amount of informative sexual content that teens can understand. MTSS website and videos promote healthy sexual dialogue and de-mystify the taboos that surround teen sex. The legal limitations applied to sexual health education by school districts, local jurisdictions, religious institutions (you get the picture) are what make it so hard for teens to learn ANYTHING or even ASK questions about their sexuality and how it all works. MTSS is the perfect outlet for those teens who "wonder why...."
So, how does Dr. Marty Klein fit in to all of this? you ask! Good question.......Dr. Klein is one of the few experts in the field of teen sexual rights and the dangers that teens might be facing for "exercising" behavior that might end up haunting them for the rest of their lives.
An article in Slate Magazine, entitled "Textual Misconduct: What to do about teens and their dumb naked photos of themselves" has some astounding implications about teen rights (or lack thereof). The article details the fact that if you are under 18, it is illegal to send naked photos of yourself to anyone, and in this case, the sender, a young teenage girl, was prosecuted as a sex offender and will now have to register as such FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE!
Dr. Klein is a featured speaker at the ISIS, Inc. Sex::Tech 2009 conference, being held March 22-23rd, in San Francisco, California. I had the wonderful opportunity to speak to him a bit about his presentation, and the predicament teens might find themselves in if they "text" nude photos of themselves to others. I asked Dr. Klein if teen's rights being reviewed by the present Administration? He answered that charges being leveled on teens are not federal; they are state, local or jurisdictional. The laws vary from state to state and it is up to the individual prosecutors as to if or how a teen is charged. The bottom line is "as far as discomfort with teen sexuality, every single American lives in a Red state" (meaning that red states are Bush lovers and Blue states are well, you know!)
Another question I asked was if he thought teens rights were being constricted, and if so, why? Dr. Klein said that historically, whenever any type of new technology was introduced to mainstream two things happen:
1) technology is adapted for sexual use (think television; publishing i.e. comic books, magazines; radio; internet)
2) adults get anxious about how teen's use said technology.
He went on to say that new technology creates "cultural panic" from religious institutions, mass media and parents. In short, until these groups understand the new technology, teens are less likely to have any rights.
Are teens aware of their rights?
Dr. Klein noted that when he was featured on the television show 20/20 in a segment called "Age of Consent", that an overwhelming majority of teens HAD NO IDEA of what the age of consent was for their State. And, he pointed out, in some cases, where the state line is accessible within minutes, there is a huge possibility that a law can be broken (or avoided) just by crossing the State line. "There are an awful lot of young people who don't realize that nude photos (sexual) of a minor can be perceived as child pornography".
Is advocacy for change happening?
Dr. Klein states that conferences like Sex::Tech 2009 open up forums for access, control, information regarding sexuality that can easily be filtered out of the Internet by local jurisdictions, including school districts.
So, as you can read, lots and lots of very important, life changing, permanent implications in the most innocent of teen behavior, that most teens don't know about but could impact their lives (and friends, families, communities) if.........
Blessings!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Scarleteen spins a web of great sex info
Where have I been!! SCARLETEEN has been operating since 1998 and I'm just getting 'round to checking out their site.
And what a site it is - there's got to be information on anything and everything I have EVER wanted to know about, sexually and otherwise (which means to you, the reader, all the "curious" questions I've been too shy to ask anyone!!).
Here's a bit of what SCARLETEEN has to offer:
abortion abuse activism anatomy arousal birth control body image choices clitoris communication condoms gender health infection intercourse love masturbation men oral sex orgasm pain partner penis period pleasure pregnancy rape readiness relationships risk safer sex sex sexual health sexuality sti teen vagina virginity vulva women
So you know you're gonna be spending a lot of time browsing this site!!
And they are not funded by any large organization nor do they receive public funding, and to boot they don't ever run any advertising.
SO, CHECK THIS - THEY NEED $$$$$$ - and for a very short time (through the middle of March 2009) your donation will be matched up to $3k. Believe me, after spending the morning going through the amazing amount of information - which, by the way, is provided by sexual health experts from all over the country, it would be an injustice not to send them a donation, small, medium, or large - whatever floats your boat!
Blessings!
And what a site it is - there's got to be information on anything and everything I have EVER wanted to know about, sexually and otherwise (which means to you, the reader, all the "curious" questions I've been too shy to ask anyone!!).
Here's a bit of what SCARLETEEN has to offer:
abortion abuse activism anatomy arousal birth control body image choices clitoris communication condoms gender health infection intercourse love masturbation men oral sex orgasm pain partner penis period pleasure pregnancy rape readiness relationships risk safer sex sex sexual health sexuality sti teen vagina virginity vulva women
So you know you're gonna be spending a lot of time browsing this site!!
And they are not funded by any large organization nor do they receive public funding, and to boot they don't ever run any advertising.
SO, CHECK THIS - THEY NEED $$$$$$ - and for a very short time (through the middle of March 2009) your donation will be matched up to $3k. Believe me, after spending the morning going through the amazing amount of information - which, by the way, is provided by sexual health experts from all over the country, it would be an injustice not to send them a donation, small, medium, or large - whatever floats your boat!
Blessings!
Friday, February 13, 2009
WHAT TIME IS IT?
I truly am amazed at some of the inane uses of technology that have bombarded our lives. The latest and greatest of these is the good ol' bitch-o-meter, also sweetly known as PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome).
Now fellas, don't get me wrong, I, like anyone other woman, would love to be able to control my "f'ed up" mood swings during "that time of the month" but to have my iPhone keep tabs on me is just way too much information.
So on this Friday, the 13th and Valentine's Eve (sort of an oxymoron if you ask me), I offer you PMSBUDDY the newest roar of the crowd website that not only let's you know that you're ready to becoming a raving lunatic or depressing pain-in-the-ass, but also gives you "tips" on how to handle all those extra hormones! Now granted, for the partners of the aforementioned "lunatics" a quick mail message saying "bring chocolate" or "don't make any fat jokes" could be just the cure.........
Oh, and the big whomp is that PMSBuddy is now also available as an iPhone App for all of you movers and shakers - and no, we don't mean throttling someone by the neck 'cuz they whistled at ya!
So there you have it - and if this blog seems mean and pointy - well damn it, check my Facebook link and you'll know that I'll be howling at the moon in a few short days!
Blessings,
Now fellas, don't get me wrong, I, like anyone other woman, would love to be able to control my "f'ed up" mood swings during "that time of the month" but to have my iPhone keep tabs on me is just way too much information.
So on this Friday, the 13th and Valentine's Eve (sort of an oxymoron if you ask me), I offer you PMSBUDDY the newest roar of the crowd website that not only let's you know that you're ready to becoming a raving lunatic or depressing pain-in-the-ass, but also gives you "tips" on how to handle all those extra hormones! Now granted, for the partners of the aforementioned "lunatics" a quick mail message saying "bring chocolate" or "don't make any fat jokes" could be just the cure.........
Oh, and the big whomp is that PMSBuddy is now also available as an iPhone App for all of you movers and shakers - and no, we don't mean throttling someone by the neck 'cuz they whistled at ya!
So there you have it - and if this blog seems mean and pointy - well damn it, check my Facebook link and you'll know that I'll be howling at the moon in a few short days!
Blessings,
Friday, February 6, 2009
BRAVO is at it again! Earn up to $250
The folks at BRAVO are introducing their latest Study on Women's Reproductive Health - specifically aimed at women between the ages of 18 and 25.
The BRAVO Study has been ongoing for quite some time now - the focus is to discover new ways to fight a very common STD - bacterial vaginosis (BV), one of the most common vaginal diseases contracted by women (1 in 10 women nationally have BV but may not know it).
The BRAVO Study ask the question: Do patients with BV stand a better chance of NOT contracting any other STD's, specifically chlamydia and gonnorhea when under a doctor's care?
This study and those that have preceeded it are always done with the complete oversight of medical professionals and clinicians.
THE DETAILS:
What will I be asked to do?
As a participant in the BRAVO study, you will be asked to:
Participate in ONE clinic visit (This visit should last approximately 45 minutes)
After the first visit, you can participate in the rest of the study from home (ever other month for a year).
You will be mailed a kit to complete six home tests (these follow-up tests should take you approximately 15 Minutes).
How long will the study last?
Your participation in this study will last up to one year.
Who is eligible?
Women between the age of 18-25 years old
NOT Pregnant.
Currently sexually active.
NOT living with your husband or main partner for over one year.
Willing to be screened for BV (To be eligible you must have asymptomatic BV).
NOT currently on your menstrual period (this only applies at your first visit).
If you are eligible and join the study you will:
Have the opportunity to have regular testing for certain sexually transmitted infections for one year at not cost to you, from the privacy of your own home.
Be paid for your time and effort.
If you are interested in the study and would like to schedule an appointment, Please contact Nikole @ 415-525-7718 or Bravostudy2008@yahoo.com
Thank you for your help!!! This is your chance to make a difference in your community.
Screening performed at 356 7th st. San Francisco CA 94103
Help yourself, help others and get paid!! The results of the study will help public and private health officials continue the battle against dangerous STD's and provide awareness to our young women.
Blessings!
The BRAVO Study has been ongoing for quite some time now - the focus is to discover new ways to fight a very common STD - bacterial vaginosis (BV), one of the most common vaginal diseases contracted by women (1 in 10 women nationally have BV but may not know it).
The BRAVO Study ask the question: Do patients with BV stand a better chance of NOT contracting any other STD's, specifically chlamydia and gonnorhea when under a doctor's care?
This study and those that have preceeded it are always done with the complete oversight of medical professionals and clinicians.
THE DETAILS:
What will I be asked to do?
As a participant in the BRAVO study, you will be asked to:
Participate in ONE clinic visit (This visit should last approximately 45 minutes)
After the first visit, you can participate in the rest of the study from home (ever other month for a year).
You will be mailed a kit to complete six home tests (these follow-up tests should take you approximately 15 Minutes).
How long will the study last?
Your participation in this study will last up to one year.
Who is eligible?
Women between the age of 18-25 years old
NOT Pregnant.
Currently sexually active.
NOT living with your husband or main partner for over one year.
Willing to be screened for BV (To be eligible you must have asymptomatic BV).
NOT currently on your menstrual period (this only applies at your first visit).
If you are eligible and join the study you will:
Have the opportunity to have regular testing for certain sexually transmitted infections for one year at not cost to you, from the privacy of your own home.
Be paid for your time and effort.
If you are interested in the study and would like to schedule an appointment, Please contact Nikole @ 415-525-7718 or Bravostudy2008@yahoo.com
Thank you for your help!!! This is your chance to make a difference in your community.
Screening performed at 356 7th st. San Francisco CA 94103
Help yourself, help others and get paid!! The results of the study will help public and private health officials continue the battle against dangerous STD's and provide awareness to our young women.
Blessings!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
