Saturday, March 3, 2007
STD Stigma
The stigma attached to those with STD's is courtesy of a judgemental society. I have been guilty of thinking someone is "dirty" or promiscuous when I learn that they have an STD. However, with education I have come to understand many of the common STD's and am now able to be less judgemental. Many people who get STD's are in serious relationships but their partner is either not aware or has not been honest about their health status so an "innocent" person becomes infected. HPV is an excellent example of an STD that exibits no symptoms (or hardly visible) in males so it is passed on without knowledge. It was only recently that this has become a hot topic and it is because over 80% of the 35 and under population have HPV. I do have to say that there are many people who do have an STD due to their risky behavior so the stigma is not entirely without merit. However, regardless of someones behavior, they should not be judged but rather, educated.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
I have been guilty also. What we all need to stop and realize is that the person who has the STD could possibly have been one of us, our sisters, nieces, grandchildren, etc. STD's have no boundaries with no regard for status in society either. It is a sad reality. I think our educational level helps us to be sympathetic in how we relate to people.
You are surely not the only person to think that way. People want to believe that if people have the resources they will protect themselves from STDs. The truth is some people just choose not to. I will never understand why people won’t protect themselves.
Post a Comment