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Author-Mom Explores Son’s Non-Traditional Clothing Choices
October 24, 2010
Should parents allow children to cross genders with clothing, toys, and behavior? This clip from the New Day TV show features the author of a new book called My Princess Boy. The love and respect the family members express for each other is endearing and inspiring. Click here to watch.
Helping Kids with Afros Love Their Natural Hair
October 20, 2010
I love this cute Sesame Street song written by a songwriter whose African American daughter wanted blond Barbi hair. Click here to watch “I Love my Hair”, and share it with your kids. Cuz kids should love their hair, whether it’s straight, curly, frizzy, blond, black, brown, or red.
Secty of State’s Message to Gay, Lesbian Youth
October 20, 2010
The “It Gets Better Project” started by columnist and author Dan Savage is a collection of videos of people encouraging gay, lesbian and other youth to hang in there when they are bullied or teased or feeling depressed because life will improve. While many of the videos could be used effectively in classrooms to build understanding and empathy, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s video may be an especially good choice for civics and history class use. And, her video can appeal to any student who feels like an outsider, even though her message is directed to gay and lesbian young people. Click here to watch. Then share it with your students.
Just How Hard Does a Man Need to Be?
October 14, 2010
Across cultures, a rock-hard erection has been thought to symbolize virility and sexual prowess. So what happens when that rock-hardness starts to go away, occasionally at first, and then on a more regular or chronic basis? Advertisers would have us believe that the answer lies with a little pill, but health and sexuality writer Michael Castleman explains why most men who try erection drugs decide against using them for the long-term. And why their partners are happy with that decision. Read the full text of Viagra Falls: Older Men Aren’t That into Erection Drugs – Castleman.
Should My Child Be Vaccinated Against HPV?
October 12, 2010
Most women and about half of all men will contract at least one strain of HPV in their lifetime. In most people, the virus will come and go without notice; in others, specific strains will cause genital warts and cervical cell damage in females. While cervical cell damage can lead to cancer, it is considered curable. Some types of genital warts, however, can be severe enough to permanently affect one’s ability to enjoy sexual expression.
The two vaccines available now protect against the highest-risk strains of HPV. Gardasil protects against strains 6, 11, 16 and 18 (cervical cancer and genital warts), while a competing product, Cevarix, protects against strains 6 and 11 (no protection against warts). If you’re wondering whether to have your son or daughter vaccinated against HPV, the human papillomavirus, check out this neat graphic that explains the risk.
You may assume that your adolescent doesn’t need the vaccination because there’s no sexual activity going on. First, you can’t be sure of that. They can’t be sure of it, if they plan not to be sexually intimate but get carried away in the heat of the moment. Second, the way to ensure the vaccine is effective is to deliver it before any sexual activity occurs — activity including body rubbing, hand stimulation, oral sex, and genital contact with or without penetration. Transmission of the virus requires contact with infected skin, and since there’s virtually no way to observe symptoms, prevention is hit or miss.
Most HPV is transmitted via penetrative and oral sex, and condom can reduce risk by 70%. When condoms are combined with HPV vaccine, the risk is reduced further.