The Contradiction Between Education and the Media: How Does This Implicate HPV?

Presently, there is a major contradiction between what is being taught in schools versus what is being portrayed in the media. Sex education within schools highlights the fears associated with unprotected sex. Such fears include STI’s (e.g HPV) as well as unwanted pregnancies. Typically, sex educators promote the use of contraceptives, benefits of sexual abstinence, and as of 2006, Gardasil, the HPV vaccination. However, the media portrays sex as positive and pleasurable, which gives young adults an opposing message concerning sex. It has a powerful influence among children and teenagers, because the average child/teen spends about 5.5 hours per day watching television, surfing the net etc. The media contains a vast amount of sexual content. A study conducted in 2001/2002 discovered the findings mentioned below:

Nearly 75% of all primetime television shows contain some sexual content.
For the top 20 teen shows, this figure increases to 83%

One of every seven shows includes a portrayal of sexual intercourse or
implied intercourse

Overall, only 15% of shows with sexual content mention any of the risks or responsibilities that are involved in having sex. When the shows involve
teen characters, this figure increases to one third. Forty-five percent of the
top 20 teen shows mention risks and responsibilities

An example which I believe most individuals are accustomed to by the media is the lack of demonstrating contraceptive use. When was the last time you witnessed a guy in a movie or tv show stop and say “wait a sec, I have to put on a condom”. The only movie I recall the man putting on a condom was in “Love and Basketball”. The media clearly poses a problem, for its young viewers. For this reason, sex education is an EXTREMELY significant way to address sexual issues concerning young adults. But, instead of addressing ONLY sexual fears, admitting the truths of the media can benefit young adults. It removes the confusion produced by the present contradiction between the media vs. education. Also, it raises awareness for young adults about the implications associated with unprotected sex as well as the pleasures associated with it, when taking extra precaution.

As mentioned previous blogs ago, women have the right to understand and know the facts about their body. Since the media usually portrays a woman as experiencing pleasure from sexual intercourse, the sex educator, in my opinion, should admit that women derive pleasure from vaginal stimulation, and yes, IT FEELS GOOD.

So, what does this have to do with the HPV vaccine??
Well, I have a problem with the media vs. education concerning the HPV vaccine. HPV is portrayed in the classroom as “deadly”, when in fact we all know this is false. From the research previously mentioned in the blog about cancer, cervical cancer does not have a very high incidence rate. And, in fact, since Gardasil only protects against FOUR HPV strands, it does not prevent ALL types of cervical cancers. Moreover, commercials within Ontario are telling women to “open their eyes” and rush to their nearest doctor if they are between the ages of 9-26 in order to receive the HPV vaccine. But, the biggest problem I have with this commercial is WHY? Where is the explanation? Is it left for classroom discussion? Is the media portraying, that sex is pleasurable, and that you should have sex WITHOUT a condom (because they never demonstrate that)? Also, is it implying that Gardasil, will in fact protect you against HPV and cervical cancer ?

I have “opened my eyes” and sex educators need to address the media’s effect on young people’s perceptions towards sex, including the good (pleasures), the bad (HPV) and the truth (What will Gardasil really do for you?)