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In Case of Emergency | Plan B | http://www.planbonestep.com
So, in high school, a few things are clear. One is that there are kids having sex. Two is that there are kids not having sex. Three is that there are kids (in both of those groups) who don’t know what the hell they are doing. This is also true for college, btw.
We all make mistakes and decisions that aren’t always the best or safest for us, emotionally or physically. But for those in the having sex crew (or the everything but crew) some of those decisions can lead to STDs, HIV, or pregnancy. Condoms are the safest (cheapest, and easiest to get) bet for protecting as much as you can against all three, but there’s nothing wrong with having a backup (the pill) or a back up to the back up, if you can afford it.
Unwanted diseases, well, you just get stuck with those. Some you can cure, others, not so much. Unwanted pregnancies, well, there you have some options. And the NYC Department of Education is trying to make one of those options more accessible.T
Word on the curb is that some New York City Public School students will now be able to get Plan B at their schools. Plan B is emergency contraception, a pill that you can take after having unprotected sex, or after whatever protection you used didn’t work, or after you’re raped, to try to stop a pregnancy from occurring. It’s like back up to the back up. The trick is you have to take it within 72 hours (but the sooner the better) and it doesn’t always work.
The program is starting in 13 high schools and everyone seems to have an opinion. Some people are pissy because they say this encourages teens to have irresponsible (i.e. unprotected) sex; some people are supportive because they say teens need options and greater access, and some don’t really feel a way about it, they just think it’s practical.
No one asked me my opinion, but am I for it? Hell yes. Am I a parent? Hell no. Does my opinion matter? Probably not, but I’ll share it anyway. Look, everything has pros and cons, but my opinion basically comes down to this- what is best for the young women this program is intended to serve? Greater Access. The end.
If you have any questions about what Plan B is, how it works and where you can get it. Here are some quick answers to help you get informed.
So, I’ve decided that every week (on Sunday), I’m going to do a quick re-cap of what’s happened in the news the past week that might be of some interest to you. (I’m still debating if I should list them in the order that they occurred or in ascending order of importance. What do you think?)
Here’s the local news:
Teens Looking for “Fame,” the Old-Fashioned Way…With their Talent, September 20, 2009, NYDN
Cute article on 5 NYC teens who are pursuing their dreams at performing arts schools around town.
Hofstra Student Lied About Sexual Assault, 09/16/09, New York Daily News (NYDN)
Last Tuesday, an 18-year-old female student at Hofstra accused five men of sexually assaulting her and four young men were arrested. She then recanted the claim, setting off a flurry of debates about if race played a part in the way the suspects were initially villainized in the media. What basically happened is that she had sex with multiple men in a freshman dorm bathroom and one of them recorded some of it on his cell phone. Speculation about why she accused them ranged from her not wanting to get a bad reputation and mental instability. I’m not going to give a speech, because I see several issues at work here; but the main three lessons learned- 1) don’t lie about sexual assualt.ever. (the results are always disastrous for everyone involved and there is no excuse for ruining lives) 2) don’t “run trains” on people or participate in lewd sex acts that make you vulnerable to such accusations. (just because it’s legal, doesn’t make it right. have some respect for yourself. be a better person). 3) if you need psychological attention, please get it.
Bronx Teen Sues over Misuse of Photos, 09/16/09, NYDN and The New York Post (phot0)
Katelyn Lee Aviles, a 17-year-old from the Bronx is suing a Bronx catering hall for using a picture taken at her Sweet 16 party in advertisements for their business, without her permission. The photo is one Katelyn and her uncle took at her Sweet 16 party, but the ads for the catering hall (which works mostly with brides and weddings) make it look like they are married. How dreadful, no?
F.B.I Raid in Queens, 09/14/09, The New York Times (NYT)
The F.B.I. raided several homes in a Queens neighborhood as part of a terrorism investigation. Detailed timeline here.
Missing Yale Graduate Student Found Dead, 09/14/09, NYT
Annie Le, a 24-year-old Yale University graduate student was found dead in a campus lab after an exhaustive search; a vigil was held to remember her life; and a lab technician has been charged with her murder.
New Jersey Teens Suing the Newark Bears, 09/14/09, NYT
Apparently, three teens attending a (minor league) Newark Bears baseball game refused to stand during the singing of “God Bless America,” and were asked to leave by Bears’ president Thomas Cetnar. The boys claim their constitutional rights were violent and, surprise, surprise, are suing the Newark Bears.
Bronx Teen Founded Murdered, (09/08/09), NYDN
Jamia Hazel, a 17-year old from the Bronx was found stabbed to death and dumped in an alley. Her foster mother said that the teen wanted to turn her life around (get a GED, become an anesthesiologist) but “couldn’t break her bad habits” (running away, staying out late, running the streets, dealing with older guys). One of those older men she was seeing has been charged with her murder. Very sad story.
Homegirl NYC 