Girls and STDs

As Katie mentioned in the previous post, the media has been covering a recent study that finds 1 in 4 teenage girls "infected" by a sexually transmitted disease. The way the issue has been framed, however, leads me to question why the focus has only been placed on girls. True, STDs are more easily detected in women; but using terms like "infected" and failing to bring up the teenage boys' role is making it look as though teenage girls are either particularly promiscuous and to blame for this high STD rate, or that they are vulnerable, naive and unaware of their sexual activities. I was particularly frustrated with an editorial in the New York Times entitled, "One in Four Girls." The articles begins by suggesting that, "Teenage girls and their parents need to read the latest government study of sexually transmitted diseases." My first thought is, what about male teenagers? Don't they need to be aware and involved in preventing the transfer of STDs? After all, they are the other half of the puzzle. I was also upset by the article's last sentence: "Teenage girls...need to understand that a serious infection is but a careless sexual encounter away." Why employ the word 'careless'? STDs can be transmitted in all sorts of situations, even when the girl is careful to educate herself and to know the sexual history of her partner. The responsibility (and judgment) of the act should not be cast solely on girls- teenage boys are just as accountable and should be included in this matter, especially if opinions are going to be cast on awareness and responsibility.