Let me make this part clear. I am NOT against the HPV vaccine nor is this about whether or not it is a good or useful or safe vaccine. My daughter received this vaccine after much research and discussion with her and her doctor. She received it as a precaution against cervical cancer, which is originally why it was recommended for girls. Now, it is being pushed as a protective measure against certain STDs, which is an assumption that my daughter is going to be sexually active.
The real heartburn I have with the mandatory use of this vaccination for girls in some states and the recommended (read-soon to be mandatory) for boys, is that this vaccination is for a medical issue that is caused by a choice.
Unlike the past vaccinations for polio or smallpox, which were mandated to wipe out diseases that were extremely contagious or were contracted without certain behaviors, the HPV vaccine prevents ailments contracted by personal choices or actions.
I, as a parent, should be able to decide if my child receives this vaccine, just like a flu shot. If I am teaching my children about morals and that sexual activity needs to wait for marriage, I don't need the government telling me that my child "is going to do it anyway", so I must vaccinate. I don't need to protect the girls at school from my son with a shot. I will protect them by teaching him about premarital sex. The same goes for my daughters. If I think the vaccine is good for them, I will get it based on our doctor's recommendation, not because I am forced to.
We, as parents, need to speak out against all this government interference in raising our children. It is bad enough they have tied our hands behind our backs when it comes to discipline and decided for us when and how our children should be taught about sex. Now they want to make medical decisions for us, sometimes without our knowledge. If you want to raise your children the way you think is proper, be a voice against government mandating so much in our childrens' lives.
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