The American Academy of Pediatrics, the organization of physicians “committed to the attainment of optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults,” announced this past Monday that it “supports legislation prohibiting access to tanning salons or use of artificial tanning devices by children under the age of 18” in order to reduce the risk of skin cancer. In addition to noting how many states have regulations, how many require parental permission and how many are considering legislation, AP reports point out that over 68,000 new cases of melanoma were diagnosed last year and, of those, about 8,700 people died from it. (The percentage of those who were teens was not indicated.)
Certainly, almost 9,000 cancer deaths is nothing to be unconcerned about, but one has to wonder where the AAP’s priorities are when one considers the following:
The AAP’s “Policy Statement—Sexuality, Contraception and the Media,” published in August 2010 notes that, “According to the 2009 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 46% of all high school seniors have had sexual intercourse, and 14% have had 4 partners or more. Although pregnancy rates have generally been decreasing since 1991, the United States still has the highest teen pregnancy rate in the Western world. … Early intercourse also increases the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI), including HIV, and adolescents have one of the highest STI rates of any age group. Although 15- to 24-year olds account for only one quarter of the sexually active population in the United States, they contract nearly half [9.1 million] of all new STIs [18.9 million] every year.”
This statement was issued in response to new evidence pointing to the fact that the media used most frequently by teens (television, music, movies, etc.) is an important factor in determining first sexual activity and that such media is becoming more and more sexualized—having a negative impact on teens in general. The statement even goes so far as to say that, “There is a major disconnect between what mainstream media portray—casual sex and sexuality with no consequences—and what children and teenagers need.”
Here’s the clincher. The AAP believes children and teens need “straightforward information about human sexuality and [information on] the need for contraception when having sex.” (italics added) The AAP is encouraging its members (pediatricians, remember!) to promote “safe-sex” to their young patients.
While the AAP statement cites the increased risk of teen pregnancy and STIs, it neglects to also recognize other serious health risks that can have long-term implications, such as reduced psychological and emotional well-being and lower academic achievement. Most importantly, the AAP fails to consider the development of character traits that prepare youth for future-oriented goals.
Not only is the media a problem when it comes to sexualizing our youth, children are also being bombarded with this sexualized propaganda through the sex education programs in schools, especially sex education programs promoted and facilitated by Planned Parenthood. Because of sex education programs, schools have been gradually, but most assuredly, taking away the parents’ responsibilities of teaching their children about human sexuality. This is having a horrendous effect on our children and society.
It is neither a school’s place, nor a pediatrician’s, to impose sexual immorality on its students or its patients. Parents should inquire about their pediatrician’s membership in the AAP, and the AAP needs to rethink its priorities. The AAP should address the far more serious issue of the harm caused by permissive “safer” sex ed before urging that teens be banned from using tanning beds.
For further reading:
http://www.all.org/nav/index/heading/OQ/cat/MjA0/id/NTc3MA/
