*puzzled*

[labellementeuse]

So my mother got me a Listener subscription, which is fabulous and kind and has made some people very jealous. But, er, I don't think I got last week's edition, simply because I think I would remember a cover that screamed "GAY PARENTS" at the top of its lungs.

Anyway. It doesn't seem to have been an especially well-researched article, so it doesn't bother me too much. But you guys should read some of the letters in this week's Listener and write snarky responses. Unusually for this area, though, every single writer has made a strong attempt to say nice things about gay people- not nice enough, obviously, but never mind. However one letter in particular... well, y'all just read it, and see if you can guess the one that makes me spit, huh?

I would do it myself, but I want to write them a letter about this week's feature: Tamaki and The Abstainers. *sporks* Okay, now look, abstinence is wonderful. But it is not sensible and it is not realistic. The article quotes statistics showing that, while an abstinence pledge may delay loss of virginity, kids who abstain nevertheless have the same rate of STDs- in other words, the rate of contraction of STDs is much higher among kids who have pledged. Why? because along with abstinence pledges come the inability to be prepared. What are we really worried about for our kids? the contraction of STDs. Your kids are at risk from this policy, and I'm goddamn going to write the Listener and tell them so.

I mean, forget the Gay Agenda- the Destiny Church openly admits to wanting to infiltrate school boards to put gorward their plans for abstinence. >:O

Comments

[labellementeuse.livejournal.com]

No, I do agree: it's our attitude to sex that's the problem in New Zealand, along with fairly poor education.

Our sexual health statistics are actually appalling. :-/ it kind of sucks.

[cabaiste84.livejournal.com]

Oh HECK YEAH!!! I saw the results of a survey Durex did about sex a couple of years back, and it depressed the crap out of me. Heaps of NZers admitted to having one night stands, heaps said they'd sleep with a new partner on the first date, heaps admitted to having casual sex and sleeping around...
Meh, I know this is nothing new, and I should probably just wake up and smell the coffee, but I've always believed (even before I was christian) that sex is a precious, sacred thing, to be shared between two people who truly love one another. Too bad a lot of people don't share that opinion eh.

[labellementeuse.livejournal.com]

It's less the things you mentioned than the actual health risks of it. I'm obviously not Christian, so I don't think that you absolutely must be in a 100% committed monogamous never-ever-ever going to break up way to have sex, mostly because that kind of ideal is sort of... I don't know. 50% of all marriages end in divorce, after all. And as someone said once, who I no longer remember, unfortunately, we put this serious taboo on sex, like it has to be fantastic and perfect and only with the one you love, and of course marriage enters into it, and... how realistic is that, really? To sort of put it up on a pedestal like it's The Most Valuable Thing About Your Body? Eh... *shrugs* I guess I just don't think it's that important.

What I do think is important- really important- is being physically and mentally healthy about it. So if you're going to sleep around, fine, but make sure everyone's having fun and everyone is as protected as they can possibly be. It's not a lifestyle choice I'd personally make, but it's also not the worst thing someone can do either. I guess I think that the way you see sex is a personal lifestyle choice, but being serious about safe sex is not.

Blah, it's too late for these metaphysical discussion. ;) Anyway, all I was really talking about was the physical, disease-and-pregnancy aspect of it, which really disturb me. :-/

[cabaiste84.livejournal.com]

Yeah, you gotta excuse me...when it comes to things like my views on sex and the like I get slightly carried away, and I've gotten into a few arguments about it before. When you said that kiwis have a bad attitude about sex, I thought that was what you meant, the fact that it's no longer consider it to be sacred, and it's now socially acceptable to have as many sexual partners as is humanly possible, and that being a virgin and waiting for the right person just isn't cool. Sorry if this seems like an exaggeration, but it's how I feel sometimes. *shrug*

You're right, our attitude about safe sex is pretty appalling, and the disease and pregnancy aspect freaks me out too. So yeah, big ups to the contraception factor on that.

As for the divorce thing...yeah, touchy one, my parents split up when I was 11, and I usually find a moment to weep over what happened between Mum and Dad, even though I'm generally ok about it now. Seeing what happened to them only makes me want to try all the harder to make my marriage work...if it's the plan for me to be married, of course!

unfortunately, we put this serious taboo on sex, like it has to be fantastic and perfect and only with the one you love, and of course marriage enters into it, and... how realistic is that, really?

Fair enough, and I respect that it's not realistic for you, but in my faith, it's definitely a reality for me. But, I know not everyone shares my views, and I don't want to force the issue.

So yeah. If you think I'm coming across as all fundamentalist and conservative like then please let me know!

[labellementeuse.livejournal.com]

If you think I'm coming across as all fundamentalist and conservative like then please let me know! Not in the least, actually. Or, well, you're coming across as moderately conservative but in the best way possible, so don't worry about it. ;)

And I guess you didn't totally misinterpret me, because I guess I think being totally fast and loose about sex is not exactly the best thing in the world. But yeah, mostly I meant the actual sexual health of it, including mental of course.

And you're putting all these disclaimers on, which is so nice and I always forget and clearly you're a much better person than me so. :) Thanks.