Hmm, I almost overlooked what you posted Athlas, lol.
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At 8/7/06 02:07 PM, Athlas wrote:
I think the situation in South-America is a tad sad. Prostitution is so common and widely accepted, that boys are actually sent to a prostitute by their family once they have reached a certain age.
Regionally the emphasis on the importance of sex is varied. Some may feel that having sex is a sign of age, and is considered one of the benefits of being mature and responsible (for boys), which is why a family (more in specific, the father) would feel the need to have the son experience this.
This is tolerating attitude is not just in South America. When you really think about it, prostitution is widely accepted in most areas of the world. Surprisingly, although given some restrictions, even Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and most of Europe is open to this public authorization and consenting sex for money. I also know that most of Asia and Mexico supports this, but I am not as familiar with the regional differences. It is mainly North America that puts a ban on the act of prostitution.
More details.
Really now, how's that a way to lose your virginity? How will you learn from such an experience? How will this make you an adult, or more responsible?
Personally I feel that it is a degradation toward sexuality. Instead of teaching the importance of love and commitment at an early age, it has become almost a way of saying, "Forget your morals for now, sleep around and then possibly 'reinstate' them when you get married." The problem is, even when marriage happens, most of the time the spouse will still sleep around. Sadly, this has become accepted behavior.
Not to forget, a large part of the population is infected with AIDS, yet the subject is forbidden to speak of. How do you plan on protecting your child if you're sending him into the arms of a person who sleeps with men as a job?
AIDs is an issue that should be examined more closely in all countries. Ignoring the problem is not going to make it go away. If people don't take responsibility for their actions, and better care of their well-beings, this will become an even more rampant problem. I know someone (a close friend) who was given parent-to-child AIDs at birth. Both of his parents were infected, and even if they were clueless toward it at the time, if they had taken better care to find out for sure from the beginning, they wouldn't have been in that situation in the first place. They are both dead now, and he has to live his life in physical pain (he is 6'5" and looks like a skeleton, due to the treatment), knowing that he has a certain death warrant on his head. The situation is just.. sad.
Condoms anyone?
Condoms don't solve everything, unfortunately.