When it comes to sex, rules don’t matter (apparently)

Apparently, where sex is concerned, rules really don’t matter anymore.

Proof:  while we tell kids, for their own safety and good, don’t smoke, don’t do drugs, don’t drink, don’t run in front of cars, don’t take rides with strangers, don’t touch hot stoves–we can’t tell them with any reasonable expectation of their complying, “don’t have sex until you are married.”

Now, 40 some years after we made sex a recreational sport for unmarried people, many are saying they are alarmed by the skyrocketing sexually transmitted diseases/infections among our teens and the high rates of teen pregnancy we have right here in “River City”  Wisconsin.   We feign being shocked at how many high school students are sexually active.   But–we don’t say, “Don’t have sex until you are married.  You can make that choice.  It might be hard, but you can do it. That’s the very best way for you to not have to worry about short-circuiting your future with health problems or with a pregnancy.  Save sex for marriage.  That’s what’s best for you and your future spouse.”

No, oh my goodness no, we can’t say that.    Don’t we know kids are going to “do it” no matter what we tell them?  Wait a minute–many choose not to smoke, many choose not to do drugs and/or alcohol, most choose not to take rides from strangers, not to touch a hot stove, and not to run in front of cars.

And just as they can make those choices, they can also choose–yes, they can–not to have sex.  But they need adults giving them the right message.  Apparently with the rules gone, adults can’t even sort it all out to come up with the right message for the young people.

Now, we’re breaking another “rule” on this issue.  As a direct result of all this, we have a bill being prepared for introduction in our state legislature that would allow health-care personnel to write prescriptions for the partners of people who show up at their clinics with sexually transmitted diseases.  I’m talking about writing a prescription for an antibiotic for a person they may not even have the name of (because the person who came to the clinic does not have to give any name or a real name of a partner or partners), let alone have seen and examined prior to writing the prescription.   It’s called the “Expedited Partner Therapy,” and the sponsors of the bill are all ga-ga over the fact that the Centers for Disease Control are extolling its virtues in helping to control the spiraling sexually transmitted diseases/infections we have nationally.  What???  Because we can’t tell people don’t have sex with someone you are not married to, we are willing to break all the rules–including doctors writing prescriptions for people they don’t know and haven’t seen?   Apparently.

This is what happens when a culture loses its moral way, especially as it relates to sex.   Tragically, lots of someones are going to get hurt because they have ignored or don’t even know the rules.