Why do we always freak? Discussion

[katastrophe1187.livejournal.com]

I have been a member of vaginapagina for about a year now. It is one of my favorite sites and has helped me in more ways than one many times. However,I always notice that there are freak out posts. Late periods, pregnancy symptoms, fear of pill not working etc. Now I'm not ragging on anyone, I have posted a number of those posts myself. What I want to know is why do we do it? We are all smart, sophisticated, modern day people, so why when something isnt right do we assume pregnancy? Why is it the worst thing that can happen? Why can't we think clearly even though we know we are being irrational?

I dont know. Does it have something to do with society? And how pregnancy is percieved? Or how abortion has been red flagged as "the evilest of evils?" Are we subconsciously playing into the hands of those who want us to be afraid, despite knowing better?

As I said I don't know. But I know I hate myself after I have a "freak attack," I just want to know if anyone else out there feels the same or understands what I am saying.

Comments

[queensugar.livejournal.com]

how can women be expected to be anywhere near perfect if they are often not given the proper tools with which to understand and make decisions?

Seriously! My thoughts exactly. My biggest pet peeve about anything is withholding, confusing, or otherwise blocking access to information. And that seems to be a popular tack in far too many homes and sex-ed programs.

It bothers me because facts and values are not in direct conflict, and never should be. Why some people think withholding facts equals upholding "values" is baffling to me. Those things are not in competition... and any value system that is so easily threatened by disseminating facts is not one I'd ever want to be a part of.

[paperispatient.livejournal.com]

What you said about facts and values...YES, exactly! That's so well-put. Why do so many people think that teaching kids and teens about sex will make them go have it? 1. It won't and 2. many of them may be having it already, so why the hell would you not tell them everything they need to go about it in the safest way possible?

The way that the mom of one of my best friends talked to my friend about sex seems to be a healthy way to go about it: I waited until I was married to have sex and I'm really happy with that decision and I would love to see you do the same thing, but if you decide not to wait you can come to me with any questions and to talk about getting you birth control. That seems like a good blend of "here are my values, here's what I think and what I would like to see you do" but also "you're your own person and ultimately your health and happiness are the most important thing even if you don't make the same decisions I did."

http://www.legalmomentum.org/site/PageServer?pagename=sfr_26 <-- Here's a link to an excellent analysis of abstinence-only programs done by a really cool group called Legal Momentum. I used it extensively in the research I did this summer on virginity, and the impact of such programs (that, like you said, confuse and lie to people) is so far-reaching, so much more damaging than I anticipated.

[queensugar.livejournal.com]

Very cool link, thank you!