Why assume an immunization will turn teen girls stupid?

by Todd Carlson

Sep 26, 2007

The real world and religion met head-on this week. Many are likely aware that earlier this year the provincial government announced that all Grade 8 girls throughout Ontario’s schools would receive a vaccination for the human papilloma virus (HPV) in order to prevent the possibility of them contracting cervical cancer later in life.

Now that school has begun once again, this issue — surely to the surprise of absolutely no one — has a few devout Catholics up in arms. Some Catholic school boards, such as the Halton and Toronto districts, held meetings this week to determine whether or not the girls within their system would be allowed to receive the vaccination.

Apparently some trustees were worried that this vaccination could possibly turn their little girls into misguided, immoral, promiscuous little tramps.

Every young girl, Catholic or not, should be insulted by that notion.

To honestly believe that receiving an immunization for a virus could possibly make a young girl think that she had magically received some sort of ‘sexual freedom potion’ is absolutely ludicrous — and shows a complete lack of respect for teenage girls. They aren’t that stupid.

Teenagers are constantly bombarded with sexually laden messages each day. Be it through music, television, magazines or the Internet, sex is in their face (actually, it’s in all of our faces, but that’s fodder for another day) and this immunization isn’t going to be the straw to break the camel’s back. Rest easy Father, little Susie won’t be turning tricks next week or getting caught naked in the back seat of a car solely because of the injections.

I can recall receiving a tetanus shot when I was young. I don’t remember having the notion that afterwards I could play with rusty nails with impunity.

Yes, the Catholic Church and its school board preaches abstinence until marriage. Good for them. However, perhaps it is time for some within the church to open their eyes and take a step into the real world. Some teenagers, whether religious or not, have sex and they will continue to do so. It’s a fact. I knew Catholic teenagers who were sexually active and I bet you did (or do) as well.

You can preach dogma all you want. Not everyone listens. Granted, I didn’t attend a Catholic school, but I have a hunch that they would also be teaching students the notion that murder and theft are bad. Call me crazy, but I am willing to bet that there are convicts currently within Canada’s penal system that once attended Catholic schools.

I actually found it surprising that it even came to the stages of where a vote was needed. Last I checked, each Catholic school board was funded by the taxpayers of Ontario. Why do they have the ability to say yes or no to what the provincial government decides?

Which is more important: Indoctrinating young girls with idealistic thoughts (which some may or may not find realistic) while ignoring everything else or looking after their future health?

No matter what the topic, there will always be the few who have extremely strong beliefs and cannot see the big picture. I have to wonder if this is the case here? Were there a few fundamentalist trustees who, upon having to deal with an issue related to sex, became completely unglued after having the issue thrust onto their laps?

“Oh my God! This has to do with sex and our virgin young girls! Ostrich time everyone!”

Unfortunately, some people put the mental in fundamentalist. Hopefully this isn’t what happened in this situation.

Though the two boards decided to allow their girls to receive the vaccination, a letter will be sent home to parents (as I think there should be from all schools, religious or not) but it will also be accompanied by a statement from the Ontario Conference of Catholic Bishops’ stating that they “regret its introduction without further opportunity for thorough study of all of the effects of this program. The best interests of children demands that parents and guardians be fully informed before granting consent.”

The Ontario Conference of Catholic Bishops’ letter also goes on to discuss sexually transmitted diseases and how sexual activity is only appropriate within marriage. Am I the only one who actually finds it somewhat bizarre that sexual advice to young girls is being doled out by a group of unmarried, virgin men (again, fodder for another column)?

Judging by what I have seen on newscasts and have read in the newspapers, it appears that many folks believe the Catholic school boards were out of line. You’ve probably guessed by now, but I think so too.

Had they simply advised that the decision to immunize was solely the responsibility of a young girl’s parents, this entire issue would be moot. Was there a directive from the upper hierarchy of the church to make this an issue? Maybe. Perhaps they had hoped that if they did make it an issue it would be quickly swept under the carpet (better make it a big carpet what with all those pedophile priests under there). But I digress….

In the end though, I have to congratulate the Toronto and Halton Catholic School Boards. They realized that their morals weren’t going to be compromised and that the health of a woman is extremely important.

Common sense prevailed.