Neil Cavuto and I discussed research studies which are funded by the stimulus package, and we unintentionally wore matching outfits. For more on the topic (stimulus funding, not our outfits) please read my blog post from yesterday.
I will be appearing on Neil Cavuto’s Your World on The Fox News Channel today to discuss whether it is appropriate for our government to fund this research.
The National Institute of Health (NIH) released a list of over 6,000 studies it will be supporting with funds from the stimulus package, also known as the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA). While the vast majority of the research is related to neuroscience, genetics, or diseases such as cancer, tuberculosis, heart disease, and multiple sclerosis, there are a handful of funded scientific studies that involve sexuality.
This set off alarms for some, including the New York Post where yesterday an article declared, “The next fiscal year is set to be one of the friskiest ever in the nation’s science labs, as researchers probe the ins and outs of sex patterns among humans.” In Central New York’s Post-Standard, Tory Mazzola, spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee, was quoted as saying that funding research is an inappropriate use of the stimulus funds: “Because stimulus was sold as a new investment in infrastructure. It was sold as job creating. It was sold as a new way forward for America.”
On the surface it may seem shocking to some people if our tax dollars are paying for “sex” research. Others believe that we should not discount scientific freedom, intellectual curiosity, and the fact that sexuality is a vitally important aspect of being human. Yet when we look further we see that this research is not sexy at all. All of the NIH approved studies include a statement of the public health implications, and all of these statements are available to the public on the NIH website. Most involve work about HIV/AIDS.
Today is the National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, which is a day to raise awareness about this problem and what we can do to try to prevent it. Unfortunately, Bristol Palin, 18, has been appearing as a “teen ambassador” on TV and for events on this day. While in an interview on the Fox News Channel several months ago, Bristol said very clearly that teen abstinence is “not realistic at all,” now she has recanted that statement. This morning she said on Good Morning America that abstinence is the only effective way to prevent pregnancy, and that she is “promoting abstinence.” She refuses to say publicly that she and other teens must use birth control to prevent pregnancy! In a post I wrote here in February, I said that I certainly hope that Bristol does not try to speak to teens about pregnancy prevention until she learns how to discuss the use of birth control and condoms. It has been clear for months that she refuses to educate teens in a constructive way, so why was she invited by pregnancy prevention groups to be a spokesperson for this day?! On this National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, my message is to Bristol: Please use birth control effectively, and teach others about it, too. And please stop telling teens that abstinence is the only way, because that is exactly what led to your unplanned pregnancy.
Today, I was on Your World with Neil Cavuto. We were discussing “Getting Through Tough Economic Times” a new web page posted by SAMHSA, a division of the Department of Health and Human Services. The web page has some great resources for people who are coping with stress or depression because of the economic crisis. Also, this organization oversees the free 24 hour suicide hotline, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK.
Yesterday was an incredible day! It was also a great night. Here are pictures from the Human Rights Campaign’s “Out for Equality” Inaugural Ball at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington DC. The ball featured performances by GLBT stars and allies in the path towards equal rights: Cyndi Lauper, Melissa Etheridge, Rufus Wainwright, and Thelma Houston. Appearances were also made by: actor Sir Ian McLellan, Ross “The Intern” from The Tonight Show, openly gay Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO), Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick with his wife, Diane, and college-age daughter, Katherine, who recently came out as a lesbian. (The non-appearance of any senator or hetero member of congress was painfully apparent.) One of the highlights of the night was Cyndi and Rufus singing an amazing rendition of “Hallelujah.” Cyndi also sang favorite “True Colors” and two new dance hits, “Into the Nightlife” and “Same Old F–king Story.” Cyndi, Rufus, and Thelma rocked out to “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” Melissa sang “Bring Me Some Water” and “Piece of My Heart.” Thelma Houston belted out her hit “Don’t Leave Me This Way” and a fantastic medley of a dozen Motown songs. There was a very touching moment when Thelma became teary and emotional, explaining that she was born in Mississippi 65 years ago and never dreamed this day would come. Obama’s Inauguration brings joy to millions — and the promise of greater equality for all!
Cyndi Lauper, Click on the photo for a dozen more photos.
Teen pregnancy is not more accepted today than ever before, but it certainly seems to be sanctioned by our political candidates.
It was announced today that Vice Presidential candidate Gov. Sarah Palin’s 17-year-old daughter, Bristol, is five months pregnant. According to The New York Times, Sarah Palin said, “Bristol and the young man she will marry are going to realize very quickly the difficulties of raising a child, which is why they will have the love and support of our entire family.”
Presidential Candidate Senator Barack Obama seemingly condoned this teen pregnancy, saying: “My mother had me when she was 18.”
Obama also said, ”How family deals with issues and teenage children – that shouldn’t be the topic of our politics.” His remark does not alter the reality that teen pregnancy is now most certainly a topic of our politics. When a hurricane occurs along side a political campaign, it becomes a topic of our politics. Similarly, when the “abstinence-only” VP candidate’s teenage daughter’s unwed pregnancy is announced during a political campaign… this is a political issue. I hope it opens up the conversation about the causes, consequences, and possible methods of preventing teen pregnancy, as well as the issue of sex education.
Comprehensive sexuality education should be funded and/or mandated, and the government must stop funding abstinence only sex education. Also, political parents should be able to say that Americans should talk to their teens about how to prevent pregnancy. Research has found that when parents talk to their teens about sexual choices, values, and birth control, then teens are more likely to delay sex and less likely to have an unintended pregnancy. Either Bristol Palin didn’t know how to use birth control, or she didn’t care to use it. This is related to how she was parented, and what she may or may not have been taught by her mother about sex, love, and life. I find it disturbing that thus far there have been no statements from the political campaigns about sex education, parenting, or about the fact that teen pregnancy is preventable.
Jamie Lynn Spears, the Gloucester Girls, fictional Juno, and now Bristol Palin. Will spotlighting another high profile (“celebrity”) teen pregnancy, help or hinder the conversation about teen pregnancy, sex education and parental education? More of my thoughts on this are here and here. Teen pregnancy has been a very public issue in 2008. It’s sad that another teen in the public eye had to become pregnant in order for this to become a political issue. It’s worse that politicians are still silent about the most important issues of teen pregnancy.
Bristol Palin and Trig Palin: Photo from The New York Times
Posted by Dr. Sari Locker
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