Birth Control for Middle Schoolers

Not sure if you guys heard but Baltimore schools have been making the headlines for prescribing birth-control to middle-schoolers. The decision is questionable mostly because it violates parental rights. But also, some have argued that: a) It encourages premature sex and b) Sex with a 13-year-old isn't just wrong; it's illegal.

The school boards, on the other hand, argue that even if that is the case, they are going to continue doing it, because, HELLO, middle-schoolers ARE HAVING SEX. Also:

1) The schools' job is to protect girls so they can finish their education.
2) Providing the pills doesn't cause more sex.
3) They won't give them to prepubescent kids.
4) They'll report illegal underage sex.
5) Parents still have control, since kids can't use the clinics without a waiver.

Now, I know it's a complicated issue and I shouldn't be too quick to pass judgment...but it seems to me that schools are being held responsible for kids having sex at a younger age...and that just doesn't add up to me.

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Issue summary via slate.

Feminists do it better

A couple of researchers at Rutgers have asked if feminism is good for romantic relationships. The conclusion they’ve reached: well yes!

Rudman and Phelan conducted a study of 242 American undergraduates and an online survey of 289 older adults. They looked at the relationship between people’s self-perceived feminism and how healthy their relationships are. Relationship health was measured as “combination of overall relationship quality, agreement about gender equality, relationship stability and sexual satisfaction”. Here’s what they found:

- Having a feminist partner is linked to healthier heterosexual relationships for women.
- Men with feminist partners report both more stable relationships and greater sexual satisfaction.
- Feminism does not predict poor romantic relationships, in fact quite the opposite.

In addition, the authors tested the validity of some all-time favorite stereotypes about feminism. Like, for example, that feminist women are single, lesbian, and sexually unattractive. If these stereotypes are indeed based in some kind of reality, then female survey respondents who self-identified as feminist, would have to be more likely to report themselves as “being single, lesbian, or sexually unattractive, compared to non-feminist women”. Surprisingly enough, the authors found that was not the case.

I know, I know…correlation is not causation…and even though there seems to be a strong statistical correlation between one’s feminism and how happy they are in a relationship, that is by no means a guarantee that it’s their feminism that is leading them into a better relationship. Perhaps, only people of certain psychological dispositions or certain socio-economic backgrounds become feminist and it is those other things that make it more likely for people to end up in better, funner, sexier couple-situations. But still, I am willing to bet that Rudman and Phelan did their stats right. And, confirm what that old t-shirt used to say: FEMINISTS DO IT BETTER.

Still, I feel sad that such a study is still necessary.

Via Feministing

Love and sex

"Viagra may promote feelings of love: In a rat study, it tripled the release of oxytocin, known as the "love hormone." Researchers suspect it does the same to people. Previous studies showed that "oxytocin-sensitive cells in the brain play a role in the neural control of erectile responses." Old idea: Viagra promotes sex mechanically, by boosting blood flow to the penis. New female idea: Viagra can promote love, not just sex. New male idea: Viagra can promote love, thereby getting me more sex."

Thought you'd care.
via Slate

You Asked: Part 4

What is your favorite sex position?
Question by George T.

There's a guy at work who wears a t-shirt saying: Show me your tits and I'll show you mine. That pretty much sums up my attitude about sex:

- it's not to be taken too seriously
- you've got to be willing to make a fool of yourself
- and you've got to be willing to try pretty much anything at least once

I know this doesn't really answer the question, but that's about as far as I am willing to go on this one. My boss reads my blog. ;)