Share the Blame

Re Living in a Gardasil World, February
While I do not agree with Rev. DeVries regarding the value of the human papilloma virus vaccination, I respect many of the arguments he makes. Towards the end of the article, however, he writes of “lead[ing] our daughters.” When one gender bears the brunt of the blame for the consequences of mutual actions, no one is spared. Were we to place responsibility solely on young men, we would undermine the intelligence, independence and respect young women deserve by denying their ability to make informed choices. Likewise, when we hold only young women accountable for sexual consequences or the prevention thereof, we both shame our young women and deny our young men the opportunity to be responsible, fully dignified and independent young men. To do so is an injustice to both our daughters and our sons, and it is easily prevented through appropriate and even-handed treatment.