Does giving HPV vaccines encourage irresponsible sexual behavior?
He Says: Not necessarily
With the advent of revolutionary vaccines to combat the human papillomavirus (HPV) in the market today, one cannot help but ask whether this will deter or further increase acts of sexual irresponsibility among the youth.
In the opinion of this writer, the former situation may be the case. It cannot be logically said that parents who ask their children to get vaccinated are encouraging rash sexual behavior because their primary intention could simply be to keep them safe for the future. Application of the HPV vaccine should have the same premise for other vaccines: they’re given as a preventive measure. Whether or not a teenager decides to engage in risky acts is based more on his or her personal decisions, therefore there should be minimal chances that the vaccine would encourage such acts.
So, does giving HPV vaccines encourage irresponsible sexual behavior? No, it doesn’t. It still all comes down to your own personal decisions and choices.
She Says: It does not. It is an option to take the vaccine AND, at the same time, be responsible with your actions towards sex.
This type of vaccine is only for people who have had too many intimate involvements and can’t be satisfied with a particular companion for a period of time. If you are keeping yourself pure and devoted to just one partner, you have no need of it. Taking the vaccine is then synonymous to literally giving yourself the access to be licentious. The choices should come together. Right?
Definitely wrong. I say it is dangerous to assume that two things are mutually exclusive, most especially when they are not. It is not always true that you can’t have your cake and eat it too. There are times that you can enjoy several benefits simultaneously without having to give up things that you hold on to—like your moral principles or your concept of self preservation. The two choices, taking the Gardasil® vaccine and keeping your personal philosophy of decency need not contradict each other. I reiterate: it is possible for them to go hand in hand. In this case you can continue to live up your values without depriving yourself the advantages that come if you choose to avail of the vaccination. The choice is yours.
To elaborate my point, there are two more things I want to raise. First, it is good to know that such vaccine gives protection from some STDs—but not all of it. It has to be noted that although the vaccine protects from four types of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), namely 6, 11, 16, and 18, which cause Cervical Cancer and Genital Warts, it doesn’t protect against all cancer-causing types of HPV. Besides, there is still a greater number of STDs caused by other viruses to get rid of. For another, the vaccine reduces the risk of acquiring the disease (by as high as 99%) but does not completely eradicate it. 1% risk is still risk—you can never be too sure and perfectly safe. With this knowledge, it is just wise and expected that people would remain to be on guard with their endeavors. It is also good to know that they would only achieve optimum results when they try to do every preventive measure possible—responsible behavior towards sex, necessary abstinence, and being monogamous to name a few.
Prevention, after all, is better than cure. Many doctors around the world believe that to be most effective, the HPV vaccine should be given before a person becomes sexually active. On the other hand, treating the disease when it’s there is an entirely different story. And haven’t I mentioned that all treatments I know are painful?
Personally, I have taken my shots with the aim of preventing and reducing the risk of acquiring the abovementioned diseases that are either fatal or disgusting. Yet, I want to make it clear that I am not sexually active (as of the moment) and I have no future plans of being promiscuous by all means. Instead what I plan is to remind myself to be constantly watchful regarding my actions and at the same time seriously walk my talk. Indeed, I’m keeping my stand and standards on sexual purity intact.
No one forbids you to follow such an example.Does the HPV Vaccine encourage irresponsible sexual behavior?
She Says, “Of course not! In fact, aside from giving some if not a lot of security, it even makes one more in-control and responsible when it comes to her sexuality.”
I strongly recommend all teenage girls to take the vaccine now! Why? Because it will not only guarantee that you will be protected from all sorts of HPV- induced diseases, but it will make you more aware and empowered! Why, because in the first place, you will never commit yourself to something unless you fully understand its benefits/ consequences. Therefore, it entails that you will be able to tackle your sexuality maturely, develop good habits and scruples especially when it comes to your sexuality. I am not for promiscuity or pre-marital sex, but let us face it, we will never know when we might engage in sex, and besides, we will become mothers in a few years’ time, so it is important to be protected now, to ensure a healthy family life.
Furthermore, why blame vaccination for our sexual values when our decisions in life are deeply rooted on our standpoints and in the way we have been reared by our parents? Also, it is a way of determining how equipped we are in making good decisions for ourselves, which reflect our strength as individuals. On a final note, I think that these breakthroughs must be embraced because it can really do great for our well-beings.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
