As a mother of a fourteen year old girl, this is a complicated issue. On the one hand, I think it is likely that my daughter will be having sexual relations in the next several years, so I want her to have the benefits of this vaccine. On the other hand, we don't yet know if there are any long term side affects. I worry about that. Although she will probably have the vaccine in spite of my worries, I wish she were younger and we had more time to see what happens. I don't think I'm alone in my concern.
When I read the comments people have written, I am a little surprised at their tone. I don't know if I think the HPV vaccine should be required, but I do think this is a tough issue.
Let's consider the conversation between a parent and a daughter before going to the doctor for her next check up. I like to explain everything the doctor is going to do, ahead of time. Do I want to communicate to my daughter that she is expected to have sex at a young age? If my daughter were nine, how would I relaxedly communicate to her that I want her to make healthy choices around sex? What if she is not ready to talk about these issues? Do I press it? What if I was a parent who was against pre-marital sex? Then what would I say to my daughter? I don't think these issues are easy for any parent. Pretending they are is not helpful.
I realize that parents talking to their daughters about sex at a young age may be a positive outcome of this vaccine. However, there is a risk of pushing parents too hard, which can result in their taking reactive positions. When parents are frightened and angry they frighten their children. That happens frequently on the topic of sex.
I think those of us who are progressive need to be more compassionate towards parents who are concerned about this vaccine. Even if we don't agree with their politics, we should not assume that any parent is unthinking and uncaring. When are laws the most useful way move society forward and when are other avenues of change more effective? How can we make policies that communicate respect to parents and young girls and the challenges they face?
As a mother of a fourteen year old girl, this is a complicated issue. On the one hand, I think it is likely that my daughter will be having sexual relations in the next several years, so I want her to have the benefits of this vaccine. On the other hand, we don't yet know if there are any long term side affects. I worry about that. Although she will probably have the vaccine in spite of my worries, I wish she were younger and we had more time to see what happens. I don't think I'm alone in my concern.
When I read the comments people have written, I am a little surprised at their tone. I don't know if I think the HPV vaccine should be required, but I do think this is a tough issue.
Let's consider the conversation between a parent and a daughter before going to the doctor for her next check up. I like to explain everything the doctor is going to do, ahead of time. Do I want to communicate to my daughter that she is expected to have sex at a young age? If my daughter were nine, how would I relaxedly communicate to her that I want her to make healthy choices around sex? What if she is not ready to talk about these issues? Do I press it? What if I was a parent who was against pre-marital sex? Then what would I say to my daughter? I don't think these issues are easy for any parent. Pretending they are is not helpful.
I realize that parents talking to their daughters about sex at a young age may be a positive outcome of this vaccine. However, there is a risk of pushing parents too hard, which can result in their taking reactive positions. When parents are frightened and angry they frighten their children. That happens frequently on the topic of sex.
I think those of us who are progressive need to be more compassionate towards parents who are concerned about this vaccine. Even if we don't agree with their politics, we should not assume that any parent is unthinking and uncaring. When are laws the most useful way move society forward and when are other avenues of change more effective? How can we make policies that communicate respect to parents and young girls and the challenges they face?