Blog #6

I have 9 sisters. I didn’t really have a formal interview with them; it was more of a casual conversation. I recently gave birth to my second daughter and of course it was brought up when they would have kids. All of my sisters aren’t grown up yet. Three of them are still in school. They already say they don’t want to have kids. I know they will change their minds as they grow. My oldest sister has three kids already and she has gotten her tubes tied. She says she doesn’t want anymore. My second oldest sister doesn’t know what she wants to do period. Then there is me. I have two. I don’t want any more right now. I would like to have a little boy, and then I’m through. The one under me says she doesn’t want any. She goes to college to complete her degree in criminal justice. The one under her is currently pregnant. She is still unsure about having kids though. The one under her wants kids after she is married. She already has their names picked out. Then the one under her just started college and is not thinking about guys right now, let alone kids. These are all different women, even though they are my sisters. We grew up in an anti-abortion household. So if you got pregnant, whether it was accidentally or on purpose, you keep that child. I still don’t believe in abortion. I feel if god blesses me to get pregnant with a child then I should keep that blessing. I love kids. My mother had 17 and I am the fifth oldest. They all go on my nerves growing up, but I still wanted and have children. How do you feel about kids?

Blog # 5

Dear Classmates,

I came across a very popular urban legend that a lot of young males and females still believe today. They say, "A girl can't get pregnant if it is her first time." This is so not true. A lot of older guys would tell a younger more naive person that in order for them not to use protection when having intercourse. The fact is, as long as a female has experienced menarche, she can get pregnant. She might not get pregnant that time, but her body is able to conceive. Menarche is a females first menstrual cycle. I don't how someone could believe this at this day and age, but there are some people out there who still do. I couldn't believe my little sister told me she would have believed it, if I wouldn't have told her otherwise. I first heard this when I was in middle school, and when I asked my mom about it she said that it is not true. I was surprised and confused. Back then I didn't even know what a cycle was, let alone how babies are formed. It was all news to me then, but its elementary to me now. I knew a girl in high school that got pregnant her fist time. I think young women are targeted by this myth because sometimes you encounter one of those guys that does not want to wear a condom. He will find anything to tell you to get you to let him have his way. Trust me, don't. If you have experienced your first menstrual cycle, you can get pregnant having sex for the first time. If you are unsure, ask your healthcare provider, they are always a good source for health information.

Thank you,

Sharon Hollins

P.S. Those cute little girls on the picture are my toddler and my new baby.

Blog #4

I think sex education should be taught in our nation's public schools. It should focus on safe sex practices as well as abstinence. Who are we kidding? If teens and kids want to have sex, they will. At best all we can do is arm them with the necessary tools to make the right decisions about it. I don't believe in sex before marriage and not a lot of people agree with that. They are more than likely going to go with the majority on that issue. Casual sex is what people are calling it nowadays. Even with this being so, we should still teach about abstinence, as well as condom use, and other methods of birth control. I think we should also educate parents on how to talk to their kids about sex. Sex education should include everyone in the community, especially since it has consequences that could effect it. This way kids will feel more responsible about themselves and others. We should also educate kids on the long term effects of sex and help them build self-esteem. They should know, virginity is a beautiful thing and nothing to be ashamed of. If they value themselves more, then the less likely they are to be promiscuous. I think we should teach children everything about sex, except how to get someone to participate with them.

Blog #3

I answered yes to 4 out of the 10 questions in the self assessment. The last three. I really need to step up my preventive practices. Eventhough I am not considered to be unhealthy, I am not overall healthy. I can start to improve my health by eating more fruits and vegetables, cutting out junk food from my diet and exercising more. I can also practice meditation to help relieve stress and go for walks when I feel angry or upset. I can make time to give myself a relaxing hour or two. I can go spend a day at a spa once or twice a month to help me get the stress out of my body. I feel mentally healthy when I do school work and get good grades for it. I am married, so condom use for me is not important, unless I don't want anymore kids. I am a nonviolent person, and I look for constructive ways to deal with my anger. I like to ride bikes and love to go swimming. I plan on teaching my daughters when they are old enough. These are some of the preventive practices I already use. There are a lot more I can emplore. I will become more active once my daughter is born.