Freshman!!

Last night, the kids had their "how to use the library" session. It takes about 50 minutes. That left us with about 25 minutes left of class.

Rather than hold a lecture or discussion - I decided to use the time to let the students gather sources for their first papers. Nice of me huh? After all, I'd be in the library and they have extra help as they work towards this first paper.

As you can probably guess - not one stayed.

But, I suspect that I will now be extra tough grading their bibliographies when they are turned in!!

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Earlier this week, it was announced that Michigan was the first state to introduce a bill to require all 6th grade girls to receive a vaccine that will prevent most cervical cancers.

unfortunately, there are many people who are concerned that if we vaccinate girls in 6th grade, they will become sexually active because they will not have any deterrent.

I realize that 6th grade was chosen as the recommended age as it is rare for a girl to become sexually active before middle school. I do know that in the early 80s, a few of my sister's friends were becoming sexually active in middle school. I also know that when I was in college, my mother constantly lectured my sister and I about the increased risk of cervical cancer with more partners. I pretty well ignored her. I doubt that girls will suddenly become abstinent for fear of cervical cancer.

So, should we avoid protecting our children from a deadly disease because we don't want to admit they might become sexually active before we want them to? Should we risk not being able to vaccinate them at all because we didn't vaccinate early.

Would it be nice if our children waited to become sexually active - sure. But, should we think that they will avoid sex for fear of cancer?