Interesting Feminist Blogging

I made it around to Lingual Tremors tonight following a grueling twelve-hour shift. I needed that, after the day I'd had. I couldn't help feeling drawn to the piece entitled Abstinence Avenger: Your Nighttime Bed Buddy. Who could? But this particular reference struck a chord with me. This excerpt is from a Planned Parenthood Fact Sheet on abstinence-only "sex" "education."

Abstinence-only sexuality education doesn't work. There is little evidence that teens who participate in abstinence-only programs abstain from intercourse longer than others. When they do become sexually active, though, they often fail to use condoms or other contraceptives. Meanwhile, students in comprehensive sexuality education classes do not engage in sexual activity more often or earlier, but do use contraception and practice safer sex more consistently when they become sexually active (AGI, 2003; Jemmott, et al., 1998; Kirby, 1999; Kirby, 2000; NARAL, 1998)

I realize I'm late in coming to this feminist phase in my life. I'm a late bloomer in many respects, apparently. I realize this might not be an original concept but it's the first time it's occurred to me. Isn't it obvious that our government has no interest in sponsoring anything that might benefit women, their sexuality, their ownership and the self-image of our young women? Isn't keeping them barefoot and pregnant to surest path to maintaining the subordinate role of women in culture?

If girls are armed with the evidence that their bodies are their own to control then they will realize they can make decisions about their bodies and sexuality on their own. They will realize their decisions do not have to hinge upon the ideals of or pressure from the men in their lives. They will, if they are taught to value their bodies, make their own choices to accept or decline offers of sex, protected or not. They will then not as often find themselves in untenable positions, frequentlty with insufficient emotional or financial support, which leave them little choice than to conform to their expected roles. If women learn how to protect, secure and own their bodies, America, as the typically white, male dominated culture we've all come to know and love would be sorely threatened. Of course they have no interest in so arming young, American women. American women with self-respect, confidence, real information and ownership of their own bodies would throw such a wrench in the machine. Why upset the patriarchal apple cart? Has everyone else already figured this out? Have I really been that obtuse all my life?

Oh, enough ranting at 3 AM...