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International Herald Tribune, May 18, 2007 Letter to the Editor Regarding the article "In China, new face of abortion reflects societal shift" (May 12): The fact that many young women consider abortion to be a "contraception measure" is a critical and instructive warning sign: China must revolutionize its approach to sex education or face a far more serious health crisis. If young women and men don't have the information they need to prevent unwanted pregnancy, how can they protect themselves against sexually transmitted infections? The Chinese government recently announced a five-year plan to educate the public about HIV and AIDS, and expressed optimism about controlling the epidemic. While the provision of comprehensive sex education is a contentious topic, particularly in a country with rapidly changing mores, China must protect its youth by arming them to make informed decisions about their sexuality. It would be immoral to do otherwise.
BETH FREDRICK
Originally published in the International Herald Tribune, May 18, 2007. Reprinted with permission. |
