The "sexual revolution" of the 1960's has been stopped dead in its tracks by the
AIDS epidemic. The danger of contracting AIDS is so real now that it has
massively affected the behavior of both gay and straight folks who formerly had
elected to lead an active sexual life that included numerous new sexual contacts. The
safest option regarding AIDS and sex is total abstinence from all sexual contact.
For those who prefer to indulge in sexual contact, this is often far too
great a sacrifice. But it IS an option to be considered.
For those who wish to have sexual contact with folks on a relatively casual basis,
there have been devised rules for "safe sex". These rules are very strict, and will
be found quite objectionable by most of us who have previously enjoyed
unrestricted sex. But to violate these rules is to risk unusually horrible
death. Once one gets used to them the rule for "safe sex" do allow for quite
acceptable sexual enjoyment in most cases.
Note that even when one is conscientiously following the recommendations for safe sex,
accidents can happen. Condoms can break. One may have small cuts or tears in ones
skin that one is unaware of. Thus, following rules for "safe sex" does NOT
guarantee that one will not get AIDS. It does, however, greatly reduce the chances.
There are many examples of sexually active couples where one member has AIDS disease
and the other remains seronegative even after many months of safe sex with the
diseased person. It is particularly encouraging to note that, due to education
programs among San Francisco gay males, the incidence of new cases of AIDS
infection among that high risk group has dropped massively. Between practice of safe
sex and a significant reduction in the number of casual sexual contacts, the spread of
AIDS is being massively slowed in that group. Similar responsible action MUST be
taken by straight folks to further slow the spread of AIDS, to give our researchers
time to find the means to fight it.
Despite a veritable blitz of AIDS information, experts claim that too few are changing
their lifestyles or behavior sufficiently to protect themselves from AIDS and other
sexually transmitted diseases. A recent Canadian poll revealed widespread ignorance of
the fact that AIDS is primarily a sexually acquired infection, not caught by touch. The
survey showed that although sexual intercourse has risen steeply in the past 10 years,
less than 25 percent of adults aged 18 to 34 have altered their sexual behavior to
protect themselves against AIDS, i.e. by consistent use of condoms and spermicide. THE
CENTRAL MESSAGE IS CLEAR: UNLESS ABSOLUTELY SURE THAT YOUR SEX PARTNER IS HIV-FREE, USE
A CONDOM (latex, not made of animal material) plus a reliable spermicide. Studies with
infected hemophiliacs show that condom use by a regular sex reduces infection risks,
compared to unprotected sex. And regular use may bring the added reward of preventing
other sexually transmitted-diseases such as gonorrhea and chlamydia or unwanted
pregnancy. Many educators say that, by whatever means, AIDS information must get out to
young people at an early enough age for them to absorb it before becoming sexually
active. The best way to avoid AIDS is to regard it as a highly lethal disease and treat
it common sense prevention. Avoiding infection is IN ONE'S OWN HANDS. To halt its spread,
people are encouraged to and apply accurate AIDS information to their living styles and
sexual partners in order to reduce the risk of getting or transmitting the virus. Health
promoters claim that "reaching the many who don't want to know" is no easy task. They
suggest that educators must learn how and to communicate AIDS information. Many Public
Health Departments are now taking the lead in education about AIDS with large scale
public awareness programs.
Premarital sex is also bad for your physical health. Sexually transmitted diseases have
received abundant attention from the press in recent years. Equal time has
not been given to the opinion held by many medical experts that extra-marital abstinence
is without a doubt the best way to avoid these diseases. Premarital sex is hardly an
expression of freedom. Young people who become sexually active in response to peer
pressure to be sophisticated and independent are actually becoming victims of current
public opinion. No one is really free who engages in any activity in order to impress the
majority.
As of now, no other current methods of contraception are considered effective enough to
count on. The only sure way to avoid pregnancy is not to have intercourse at all. Put
another way, the only 100% effective oral contraceptive is the word "NO!" Since going
all the way to intercourse involves such serious risks, how can one deal with all those
sexual urges? You have a number of options.
1. ABSTAIN. You can use will power. No one has to have sex. Many go without having
sex for years or even a lifetime without negative results.
2. PLAN. Plan ahead and decide how far down the "road to arousal" you think you
should go. Go no farther. Express your emotions up to that point, and then just call a
halt.
3. SUBLIMATE. You can firmly decide to engage in some other kinds of things as a
deliberate substitute for giving in to your sex drive. It could be sports, exercise, art,
or some hobby - almost anything that really holds your interest. This can distract your
attention away from thoughts of sex.
4. AVOID. Avoid all the kinds of things that can tempt you.
Some other very serious STD's besides aids are: Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Genital Warts and
Human Papilloma Virus, Genital Herpes, HSV, Crabs, Pubic Lice, Nonspecific Urethritis
(NSU) or Nongonoccal Urethritis (NGU), and Hepatitis B.
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