Sex education goes beyond teaching about the human body. It helps young people understand how their bodies work while also developing relationship skills and making responsible choices. Since puberty brings rapid changes, teens need accurate guidance. As a result, schools that teach sex education support not only personal health but also community well-being.

Building Knowledge and Confidence

The first benefit of sex education is knowledge. Without it, puberty can bring confusion and fear. For example, students who learn about reproductive health, consent, safe sex, menstruation, and sexual orientation gain confidence and avoid shame. Moreover, the CDC (2021) confirms that complete sex education promotes healthy behavior, delays sexual activity, and increases protection use among active teens.

Supporting Mental Health

In addition to physical health, sex education strengthens mental well-being. Many teens struggle with body image, self-esteem, and anxiety due to peer pressure. However, programs that address gender identity, LGBTQ+ issues, and emotional readiness create a safe and inclusive environment. Consequently, students feel recognized and are less likely to face depression or bullying.

Strengthening Relationships

Furthermore, sex education improves how teens connect with others. Lessons on communication, consent, boundaries, and emotional intelligence help students build healthy relationships with peers and family members. In addition, parents and caregivers play a key role by continuing open discussions at home. According to the Guttmacher Institute (2020), these skills lead to safer choices and greater respect for others.

Combating Myths and Misinformation

Modern society requires sex education to counter myths and misinformation spread by media and peers. Therefore, fact-based lessons give students accurate knowledge while also respecting cultural values. On the other hand, without proper guidance, misinformation can spread quickly and lead to risky decisions.

Benefits for Society

The impact of sex education extends beyond individuals. For instance, it reduces teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), lowering public health costs. Moreover, it fosters respect, equality, and safety at a time when conversations about gender-based violence are urgent.

A Foundation for Life

Ultimately, sex education builds lifelong skills for health, respect, and resilience. It equips teens to care for their physical and mental health, build safe relationships, and contribute to a more informed and compassionate society. Therefore, investing in sex education benefits not only individuals but also communities and the world as a whole.

Resources

https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-youth/what-works-in-schools/

https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/education/overview

The post All Young People Deserve Sex Education appeared first on GirlSpring.

Breast development stages

One must first understand how the breast grows to know what disproportionate breast growth means. The earliest symptoms of breast growth appear at the beginning of puberty. This growth is related to the secretion of estrogen by the ovaries. Estrogen causes fat to accumulate, which promotes the breasts’ growth. Also, during puberty, the duct system starts to grow.

Once menstruation begins, the breasts mature, and the secretory glands form. During adolescence, the breasts grow, creating more glands and lobules.

The stages of breast development are divided into:

– Stage One. During infancy, the breasts are flat, and only the nipple end is elevated.

– Early breast development. Breast development occurs two to three years before the first menstruation. The nipple and areola begin to expand, and breast tissue begins to develop.

– Breast growth. The breasts increase, moving from a conical to a more rounded shape. The nipple rises, and the areola darkens and enlarges. The duct system and secretory glands develop.

What is disproportionate breast development?

As we have seen above, breast development begins during puberty. But, in some cases, growth does not follow the usual path and can cause some women to have disproportionate breast development.

– Overdeveloped breast growth. This condition is known as breast hypertrophy. It occurs when breasts grow so huge that it causes women physical problems.

– Underdeveloped breast growth. It occurs when women have a tiny breast size. Sometimes the breasts fail to develop during puberty due to hereditary problems, hormonal imbalances, and malnutrition.

– Problems with the shape of the breast. It occurs when a woman has one breast noticeably larger than the other or when her breasts have a form other than rounded.

Health risks associated with disproportionate breast development

Disproportionate breast growth can cause some physical problems for women who have it. When breasts grow too large, women may experience back and neck problems and detrimental changes in their posture. They may also suffer from breast pain and develop ulcers and inflammation.

Surgery to correct disproportionate breast development

Generally, breast development disorders are corrected with surgery. If you are seeking breast reduction, you need to know the advantages and disadvantages of surgery.

Disadvantages

– Visible scars. They will depend on the woman’s scarring quality. In general, the visible scar is the one that is made in the groove of the breast.

– After surgery, the woman will not be able to breastfeed. If you want to have children, the surgery should be performed after childbirth because, in most women, milk production stops.

– The breast may continue to change in size over time. Breast tissue is influenced by weight fluctuations, so losing or gaining weight influences breast size.

– Loss of sensation. Women who undergo breast reduction surgery have a significant loss of sensation.

– Postoperative complications. Some women may experience bleeding, infection, or tissue necrosis.

Advantages

Breast reduction can improve self-esteem and the symptoms of having large breasts. Here are some of the advantages of reducing breast size:

– Relief from breast, back, and neck pain.

– Avoidance of discomfort and difficulties when playing sports.

– Reduction of skin problems and relief from itching.

– Avoid breathing difficulties due to the chest pressure on the thorax.

Finding the right plastic surgeon

Opting for surgery to correct problems of disproportionate breast development should be a well-thought-out and planned decision. Take the time to research the alternatives available and the track record of plastic surgeons. You can start by searching the Internet and including your location, such as “Plastic surgery in Dallas” or “plastic surgeons near me”. Look at reviews, experience, and recognition in your community. Remember that a good plastic surgeon will be willing to talk with you about realistic surgery expectations. Experienced surgeons will not put you under any pressure to make a decision or hurry you through treatment before you’re ready.

Conclusion

In adolescence, disproportionate breast growth can cause psychological problems, as it is during this stage that people are more prone to criticism. This social pressure can negatively impact a woman’s self-esteem and self-confidence. Adolescent girls need to learn about their bodies and receive sex education to understand that there is no such thing as a perfect body.

Undergoing surgery is a personal decision, and you need to consider the pros and cons of the process. As a teenager, you must consider your life plans and whether you want to have children and breastfeed. If you decide to have surgery, go to a specialized center where they can determine if you are ready for surgery.

The post Disproportionate Breast Development in Teens appeared first on GirlSpring.

There are a lot of conflicting opinions on the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. The overturning of Roe v. Wade does not directly take a woman’s right to an abortion away. But it will give states the power to determine that right. Some states will probably continue giving citizens the right to an abortion. Others are leaning towards varying levels of restrictions on abortion rights. Since the ruling, stories of how Roe v. Wade began, why people agree with abortion being a constitutional right, and why others disagree have been at the forefront of conversations surrounding women’s rights.

I don’t want to reveal bias for my own views on abortion. I also don’t want to provide context for judgement over another woman’s life decisions. 

The Whys

Why Was Roe v. Wade Overturned?

The constitutional right to an abortion had been in existence since 1973.

When Norma McCorvey (also known by the pseudonym Jane Roe) became pregnant for the third time in 1969, at 21 years old, she hoped to get an abortion in her home state of Texas. Laws in Texas only allowed a woman to abort a fetus if her health was threatened. Therefore, McCorvey didn’t have a case to legally abort her child. So she turned to lawyers Sarah Weddington and Linda Coffee for help. The New York Times’ article, “Seeing Norma: The Conflicted Life of the Woman at the Center of Roe v. Wade” explains that McCorvey wasn’t wealthy, was single, and was working multiple jobs to get by. All of these factors went into it being difficult for her to not only travel to obtain an abortion, but to be able to make a living while remaining pregnant. 

In 1973, McCorvey told the Southern Baptist Convention news service, “I was a woman alone with no place to go and no job…No one wanted to hire a pregnant woman. I felt there was no one in the world who could help me”. McCorvey’s lawyers, Coffee and Weddington, argued that Texas abortion laws violated women’s rights to privacy. Later, Roe v. Wade turned into a class action lawsuit demonstrating “the case for the constitutional right of all Americans to determine the course of their lives”. Weddington argued to the Supreme Court that pregnancy disrupts, “her (a woman’s) body, it disrupts her education, and it often disrupts her entire family life”. Eventually, Weddington’s arguments proved successful, with the Supreme Court legalizing abortion by a 7-to-2 majority.

“Pregnancy disrupts her body, it disrupts her education, and it often disrupts her entire family life.” (Sarah Weddington) 

In the latest Supreme Court decision, Justice Samuel Alito said that the 1973 Roe ruling and repeated subsequent high court decisions reaffirming Roe “must be overruled” because they were “egregiously wrong,”. The arguments were “exceptionally weak” and so “damaging” that they amounted to “an abuse of judicial authority.” (from NPR’s “Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, ending right to abortion upheld for decades”).

Why Young Women Agree With the Overturning of Roe v. Wade

For these next two sections, I gathered real responses from women in their twenties. These years are scientifically known as women’s peak reproductive years. Of course, these don’t represent all views. But, I thought it would be important to gather what I could to amplify real women’s voices. Especially the voices of those that are directly affected. 

Note: These responses were edited for length and clarity. Responders chose to remain anonymous.

Sarah:

“I agree with it (overturning of Roe v. Wade) because I’ve seen its agenda be used against black women and other minorities for such a long time. Growing up, I lived on the “black” side of town. There were multiple abortion clinics within a five minute drive from my house. I went to school on the “white” side of town and there were none there. People don’t understand that abortion has been a huge factor in why the African-American population is staying the same rate. Just in Alabama, black women represented over 60% of the abortions that happened in 2019. To me, I’m like ‘So the smallest percentage of people is getting the largest percentage of abortion… something is not adding up.’

There has been so many systematic injustices and foundational lack of education about sex. So many people in my community don’t know that abortion was used to basically be a mass genocide of black people! It’s crazy! It’s also important to me that being pro-life isn’t about caring about someone until they have a baby, but it’s important to care about their life! Life as in 0-100. There are so many issues with people being pro-birth and not really caring what else happens to someone that did not want to have a baby in the first place. I would love it if people start advocating and providing resources to help these women…as much as they like to talk about it. It’s disappointing to see people not care about the hundreds of thousands of kids in foster care already.” 

Why Young Women Disagree With the Overturning of Roe V. Wade 

Olivia:

“I would just say that access to abortion is healthcare, and the inability to access it safely and punishing the mother and / or health professionals who perform them is barbaric. People will continue to get abortions, but they won’t be safe. Pregnancy is a really strenuous thing to put one’s body through and the ability to not terminate a pregnancy, whether the carrier is ill, whether it’s ectopic, whether it was a case of rape or incest or the parent simply is not ready or does not want a child… The inability to access safe abortions will be detrimental for the health of thousands. Both mentally and physically.

Other issues should have been addressed first, such as mortality rate in pregnant persons, especially people of color, the foster / adoption care system, minimum wage, sexual education, and health care in general. Abortions are healthcare and taking them away from the people most in need of them is cruel. No one should be forced to have a child if they don’t want it. And for some states to have a total ban of abortion even in instances of rape, incest, ectopic or unviable fetuses (babies)…That isn’t lawmakers supporting their constituents. It’s unlawful and a violation of a person’s privacy.” 

Erica:

“I disagree with the overturn completely. This will cause more death than abortions. The argument has always been over body autonomy. Just simply saying it’s murder no matter what is such simple thinking. I think it’s deplorable that a corpse/ cadaver has more rights than I do. Even if someone was dying, I would not be forced to give blood or one of my organs to make sure someone else lives. I think that should apply for an afab (assigned female / male at birth) person and a fetus. Separation of church and state matters as well.

Afab people are in danger because so many medications can be considered abortion causing drugs. My migraine medication can cause fetal harm. If that is taken, I would be in unbearable pain. I believe in choice in everything. It is not my business what any person does with their medical choices. I am religious but I do not think my religion should dictate what others should do with their lives. This will also infringe on other citizens’ religious choices such as the Jewish community and many others. We are already seeing states trying to push harsher laws. In Ohio, a ten year old sexual assault victim was forced to have to go over state lines to seek treatment. It’s deplorable what violence the government wants to incite against afab persons.” 

What This Could Mean

Economics

Statistics

According to Forbes, “How Overturning Roe V. Wade Can Impact The Economy”, “Roe v. Wade can impact women’s ability to take care of themselves and the children they have now or in the future. Approximately 60% of women in the U.S. who have abortions are already mothers… Approximately one-third of women seeking an abortion say their reason for wanting to terminate the pregnancy is to care for children they already have.” Women’s workforce participation could decrease as parental status increases. It’s not a disputed fact that women typically perform most caregiving duties. This includes working women, who often perform the “second shift”. (The second shift entails taking on major parental duties, more than the other parental figure takes on, outside of a woman’s work day at her place of employment.) With this in mind, it’s not surprising that 43% of working mothers leave their careers. Working women lose an average of 18% of their earning power after taking a temporary leave from work (commonly to give birth and take care of a child). And if a woman decides to spend three years or more out of the workforce, that turns into losing 37% of her earning power.

The Turnaway Study

The article also provides input from Dr. Diana Greene Foster, professor at the University of California San Francisco and lead author of the landmark Turnaway Study. This study examines the effects of unwanted pregnancies on women’s lives. Dr. Foster explains that, for those who are denied abortion, public assistance increases, but, “…public assistance isn’t enough to support a family.” The study also found that rights to abortion led to increased wages, especially in black women. Without rights to abortion, studies have also found women might face decreased earning potential, negative impact on children’s financial wellbeing, and negative impact on equality. Dr. Foster says, “People who seek abortions are disproportionately people of color, so it’s already hitting a population that tends to be systemically disadvantaged…If Roe v. Wade is overturned, the most economically privileged among people who become pregnant will be able to get abortions, and the least privileged will not. It will exacerbate these health disparities, these economic disparities, and these racial disparities.”

Healthcare

Termination of a Pregnancy for Medical Reasons (TFMR)

According to CNN’s article, “Women have abortions for many reasons aside from rape and incest. Here are some of them”, Erica Goldblatt Hyatt decided to have an abortion after she found out her son was diagnosed with Congenital High Airway Obstruction Syndrome. He was also diagnosed with a chromosomal abnormality. Doctors told Hyatt that if her son didn’t die by heart failure in the womb, he would be born brain dead. Hyatt ultimately chose to abort her son. This unfortunately isn’t an uncommon occurrence. So much so that Termination of a Pregnancy for Medical Reasons (TFMR) is a medical term that healthcare professionals resort to “if the baby has been diagnosed with a condition that can cause death or serious disability… (or) if a pregnancy complication poses a threat to your (the woman’s) life” (according to Tommy’s.org). In these cases, an abortion could end suffering due to health conditions and / or could be a life saving procedure for a mother. 

Ectopic Pregnancies

While abortion laws usually still allow for women with life-threatening conditions to undergo the procedure, there are concerns over delayed care due to vague legislative language. The most common condition mentioned is an ectopic pregnancy. For now, these are only concerns. I don’t want to raise false alarms bringing this point up, but I thought it would be worth mentioning because it is a valid point that has been spoken about in sources such as Healthline’s article, “Ectopic Pregnancies Are Dangerous. Will They Be Affected by Abortion Bans?”.

Medication

Medication is also a factor. Everyday Health explains that women with inflammatory diseases are experiencing difficulties accessing the medication methotrexate. While methotrexate isn’t the same as an abortion pill, it’s often prescribed to treat an ectopic pregnancy. Essentially, it can be used to non-surgically end a pregnancy. Because of this use of methotrexate, some pharmacists in states with heavier abortion bans and restrictions could hesitate to fill prescriptions for women with conditions that need the medication who are in their childbearing years. These conditions include rheumatoid arthritis (RA), lupus, and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). 

IBD

Other medical concerns are from women with Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. According to Oxford Academic’s journal, Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), “disease activity might harm their (a pregnant woman with IBD’s) fetus and therefore flares should be avoided during pregnancy, and on the other hand, the women are reluctant to take the medications to control disease activity because they feel they might harm their fetus.” Essentially, due to their conditions and the risks of having children with health difficulties, including a genetic component where they inherit their mother’s IBD, a woman with this condition might want to abort her child. Laws in her state might prevent her from being able to do so. 

Abuse

According to research from the Bixby Center for Global and Reproductive Health, 8% of women wanted an abortion because they had an abusive partner. In a study done by BioMedCentral’s BMC Medicine, 6% to 22% of women seeking an abortion reported recent violence from a romantic partner. In a research study, it was found that, “Among women seeking abortion, having an abortion was associated with a reduction over time in physical violence from the MIP (Man Involved in the Pregnancy), while carrying the pregnancy to term was not. Terminating an unwanted pregnancy may allow women to avoid physical violence from the MIP, while having a baby from an unwanted pregnancy appears to result in sustained physical violence over time.” They also found that women who were denied abortions were slower to end their abusive relationships than women having abortions. Women denied abortion were also more likely to have continued contact with their abuser over time. 

Religion

I can’t ignore the religious impact that the overturning of Roe v. Wade has had. Many churches and those who identify as very religious believe this is a victory for women and babies. For those who believe abortion equates to homicide, which is illegal and agreeably wrong, it’s not difficult to see how, legally and morally, religious groups can believe that abortion is wrong. While I’m keeping this article as factual and unbiased as possible, I thought that side of the debate is important.

Conclusion

Overall, the overturning of Roe v. Wade has led to a lot of mixed emotions. Some believe this is a victory for women and children, and others believe the opposite. Each have their own moral and scientific basis, and this is a topic that is viewed from multiple lenses. My goal in writing this is not to persuade any reader towards one side, but to be able to reveal some of the implications that have been brought up. Regardless of what your views on the matter are, just know you have the right to believe in what you think is best. But, with that in mind, everyone else also has that right too. I ask that we all try to respect others, listen to all sides, educate ourselves, and stay hopeful and positive even when it’s difficult. Thank you so much for reading.

Sources

1. https://www.girlspring.com/roe-v-wade-overturned-what-does-it-mean/
2. https://reproductiverights.org/maps/what-if-roe-fell/
3. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/02/books/norma-mccorvey-roe-wade.html
4. https://www.npr.org/2022/06/24/1102305878/supreme-court-abortion-roe-v-wade-decision-overturn
5. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/having-a-baby-after-age-35-how-aging-affects-fertility-and-pregnancy#:~:text=A%20woman’s%20peak%20reproductive%20years,is%20unlikely%20for%20most%20women.
6. https://www.forbes.com/sites/hollycorbett/2022/06/07/how-overturning-roe-v-wade-can-impact-the-economy/?sh=1cd30f4d632f
7. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/she-the-people/wp/2014/08/06/the-second-shift-at-25-q-a-with-arlie-hochschild/
8. https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/21/health/women-reasons-abortion-trnd/index.html
9. https://www.tommys.org/baby-loss-support/tfmr-terminating-pregnancy-medical-reasons
10. https://www.healthline.com/health-news/ectopic-pregnancy-and-abortion-laws-what-to-know
11. https://www.everydayhealth.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/women-with-ra-may-have-trouble-accessing-methotrexate-due-to-abortion-restrictions/
12. https://academic.oup.com/ibdjournal/article/25/3/561/5069528?login=true
13. https://bixbycenter.ucsf.edu/news/women-denied-abortion-more-likely-stay-abusive-relationships
14. https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-014-0144-z

The post Roe v. Wade: Digging Deeper appeared first on GirlSpring.

Also known as “teen dating violence,” this form of domestic abuse is often overlooked. Many of its components are often rationalized as “normal” and never spoken about with family or friends due to of fear. Despite being difficult to talk about, it is very common.

How to Identify Abuse

According to the CDC, teen dating violence includes four definite types of behavior:

• Physical violence: When a person hurts or tries to hurt you with their body or by using another physical force.
• Sexual violence: Forcing or trying to force a partner into anything sexual (intercourse, a sex act, sexual touching, sexting) without the partner’s consent. As mentioned here https://hernandez-hamilton.com/sex-offenses/, these are sometimes treated as more serious crimes, even above murder.
  
• Psychological aggression: The use of verbal and non-verbal communication with the intent to mentally and/or emotionally harm another person. This includes gaslighting, manipulation, or any attempt to exert control over the other person
• Stalking: This includes any repeated pattern of unwanted attention that causes fear or concern in the person of interest. 

How to Identify Unhealthy Relationships

There are times when relationships that started out great can sour, and it’s important to be able to recognize signs of unhealthy relationships even when they’re not obvious.

Signs of Unhealthy Relationships

• Putting one person above the other (neglecting yourself or your partner)
• Pressuring the other person into agreeing with you (and vice versa)
• Feeling pressured to change who you are or the way you respond to things
• Lack of privacy
• Obligation to perform sexual acts
• Refusal to use safer sex methods
• Yelling or physical violence during an argument
• Attempts to control or manipulate each other and the partner’s other relationships
• No common friends, lack of respect for family

Features of Healthy Relationships

• Taking care of yourself and having good self-esteem independent of your relationship
• Having activities that don’t involve each other
• Maintaining respect for each other’s individuality, friends, and family
• Ability to express yourselves without fear of consequences
• Trusting each other and being honest with each other
• Having respect for sexual boundaries
• Accepting influence
• Resolving conflict fairly

When do I need to get help?

If you are finding the signs mentioned above in your life, you are in an unhealthy relationship. In this situation, you need to consider getting help and ending the relationship. Even if you believe that this person loves you or cares about you, it does not make up for the harm they cause you.

Other circumstances include:

• You are unhappy in a relationship but cannot decide if you should accept it, fix it, or end it.
• When you have decided to leave the relationship but find yourself still in it.
• You are trying to stay in the relationship for the wrong reasons, due to fear or guilt.
• If you have stayed in unhealthy relationships in the past.

How to Get Out of an Abusive/Unhealthy Relationship

From YWCA Teen Dating Violence Prevention Article and loveisrespect.org

1. Tell a trusted adult (like a parent, friend’s parents, a teacher, or a counselor). The less you are able to share, the more control your partner has.
2. Document abuse. Keep a journal of your experiences and include how they made you feel. This will allow you to see red flags more quickly. Record statements made by your abuser with times and dates, and if the abuse is physical, take pictures of injuries.
   1. Digital abuse is abuse. Print records of emails or screenshots of conversations.
3. Avoid being alone with your partner and ask friends to stick closely to you at parties.
4. Be prepared for your partner to attempt to try and talk you into getting back together. Have a plan for what you will do if they become abusive.
5. Physical assault, rape, stalking, and harassment are crimes. Contact authorities to report incidents or threats of abuse.

The Birmingham Crisis Center’s Rape Response is 24-hour hotline service: 205-323-7273

 The Crisis Center is specially trained to handle sexual assault cases in person. Calling the hotline will allow staff to assess needs and referrals. 

How to Help a Friend in an Abusive/Unhealthy Relationship

1. Don’t ignore what you see, and give your friend the space to come to you. Make room to be supportive and judgmental.
2. Point out your friend’s strengths and reinforce their sense of self-esteem. Many people in abusive relationships are no longer able to see their own abilities and gifts.
3. Encourage them to seek the help of a trusted adult. It’s important for them to make this decision and take this action themselves, but if the situation worsens, it is the okay to seek help yourself. Go with them if they need your support in that conversation.
4. Never put yourself in a dangerous situation with the abuser. You do not need to be a mediator.
5. If you witness an assault, contact authorities.

Important Reminders

Abuse is never your fault. You do not deserve to be treated badly or be on the receiving end of emotional manipulation. You do not deserve to be violated, regardless of the events leading up to the incident. 

Remember that you do not have to be in a romantic relationship with your abuser for their words and actions to be abuse. Someone that you may think of as a platonic friend can also be abusive in the same patterns listed above. You do not deserve to be treated badly by your friends.

When it comes to moving on and healing, it is important to be patient with yourself. Your trauma can live with you long past your experience, and it can manifest in different ways. For some, the struggle with upsetting emotions, unpleasant memories, or a sense of constant danger that won’t go away may define their experience. Others may struggle with numbness, isolation, and the inability to connect with or trust others. Regardless of what you are struggling with, there are people who love you and care about you. Counseling, therapy, and/or domestic abuse support groups can help you process your trauma and learn how to build new and healthy connections.

Sources & Resources

https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/teendatingviolence/fastfact.html

https://www.ywcabham.org/teen-dating-violence-prevention

https://www.loveisrespect.org/resources/documenting-abuse/

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/abuse/getting-out-of-an-abusive-relationship.htm

The post Healthy Relationships: Adolescent Domestic Abuse appeared first on GirlSpring.

This decision will result in an estimated 70,000-126,000 women losing access to contraceptive coverage.

The decision builds off of the seven-year saga regarding the “contraception mandate” in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). It combined two cases: Trump v. Pennsylvania and Little Sisters of the Poor v. Pennsylvania. In the former, the Trump administration challenged women’s rights to access to birth control under the ACA. The lawsuit argued that employers’ freedom of religion could be violated by being forced to cover birth control. Similarly, in the latter case, a Catholic care home argued that the mandate to cover contraception in the ACA violates the 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act. This Act states that the government cannot implement programs that burden religious beliefs without a good reason.

In other words, the ruling limits women’s access to birth control under the rationale of religious freedom.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Justice Sonia Sotomayor were the only justices to dissent. The other two liberals on the Court, Justice Elena Kagan and Justice Stephen G. Breyer, sided with the majority. Justice Clarence Thomas wrote the majority opinion and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg filed the dissenting opinion, stating:

“In accommodating claims of religious freedom, this court has taken a balanced approach, one that does not allow the religious beliefs of some to overwhelm the rights and interests of others who do not share those beliefs. Today, for the first time, the court casts totally aside countervailing rights and interests in its zeal to secure religious rights to the nth degree.”

This “zeal to secure religious rights” could have disastrous implications for many low-income women and families.

Once the ruling takes effect, thousands of women will lose their access to birth control. They will have to then obtain it outside of the healthcare plan provided by their jobs. If there are no other options to cover the cost, they will have to pay for it out-of-pocket.

Low-income women—who, by the way, are more likely to be women of color—may not be able to afford paying extra for their birth control. Some may be forced to switch from more expensive contraceptive methods to less expensive options. Not only are cheaper forms of birth control oftentimes less effective and harder to use, but switching up which contraception a woman uses can cause problems. It can lead to hormone imbalance, painful and irregular periods, unpredictable cycles, nausea, and many other side effects.

Not to mention that some women will not be able to afford birth control at all.

The implications for these women are pretty obvious: more kids. And children are extremely expensive. Who bears the brunt of this cost? The already struggling women and families who couldn’t afford their birth control in the first place. The Court’s ruling will have the effect of sinking already vulnerable people deeper into poverty. It keeps poor women and women of color from being able to climb the “social ladder.” In other words, it safeguards the power and wealth that lies in the hands of the rich, white ruling class—who are mostly men.

John Bursch, a lawyer with Alliance Defending Freedom, said in a statement that “The government has no business forcing pro-life and religious organizations to provide drugs and devices that can destroy life.” My question is this: if conservatives truly cared about life—if they cared about minimizing abortions—wouldn’t they make birth control more accessible, not less? And if freedom of religion is so important, why isn’t the freedom of a woman to control her own body?

Sources:

The New York Times: Supreme Court Upholds Trump Administration Regulation Letting Employers Opt Out of Birth Control Coverage

Supermajority News: Supreme Court Sides With Trump Administration’s Blow to Birth Control Access

Bustle: 7 Symptoms of Switching Birth Control to Watch Out For

The post Whose Freedom Are You Protecting? appeared first on GirlSpring.

Growing up is difficult enough without hormones thrown into the mix, but puberty is a time when not only do you have to deal with big changes in your life such as schoolwork, crushes and friendships, but it’s also time when hormones are going to make you feel very differently in a way you can’t control.

Physical and emotional changes combined can make things very difficult and confusing, but just know that what you are going through is normal and you will have a wealth of support around you.

Here are 6 ways to make the process easier on yourself and make sure that you’re feeling the best you can.

1. Know That Your Body is Unique to You

Although puberty is universal experience for all young people, and the changes in your body will be the same as other young girls, the experience is still unique to you. This means that your body is going to change on its own schedule, and you shouldn’t compare yourself to stages of puberty which other girls may be at.

If you haven’t gotten your first period yet, for example, when all your female friends might have done, that doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you or that you need to worry. Everything will happen when it’s supposed to.

2. Remember That Everything is Normal

Puberty can be a confusing time, and it can feel very strange to have your body change significantly. Having hair grow, having blood leak from your body and having spots, just to name a few, can feel weird and may even feel uncomfortable. However, these are normal changes, and proper hygiene habits can make you feel comfortable and confident.

Don’t let anyone make you feel as though what you are going through isn’t normal.

3. Get Your Rest

A good sleep pattern is going to make a whole lot of difference when dealing with changes in the body. Hormonal changes can leave you feeling tired, and when your period arises, that’s going to make you feel exhausted, too. Be sure to always prioritize your sleep, and if any issues during puberty, such as anxiety or even if you’re still experiencing growing pains, then natural remedies like theviolettacompany.com products, may help you relax and get a better night’s sleep.

4. Seek Advice

One important thing to remember during puberty is to be safe. Whether it’s through hormonal changes, whether you want to remove hair, or whether you’re considering entering into sexual practices, safety and information is always key during this time.

If you don’t feel you can comfortably speak to your parents, there will always be health practices which offer advice to young women, such as your local clinic or your doctor, and you can choose to speak with a female attendant if you would prefer.

5. Don’t Feel Pressured

Your life is your own. Many changes occur during puberty, but there is no right or wrong. If you don’t have a best friend, if all your friends are in relationships and you’re not, or if your friends know what they want to do with their life and you don’t yet, none of this is a bad thing. There isn’t a deadline for achieving anything during your teenage years.

6. Choose Your Friends Well

Having great friends is going to make your teenage years a lot easier. If any friendships feel negative or toxic to you, don’t be afraid to distance yourself. Make sure you choose the right friends who will support you during this time.

The post 6 Ways to Make Puberty Easier as a Young Woman appeared first on GirlSpring.

Syphilis, which is a bacterial infection that spreads through sex, can also spread to babies during pregnancy. This type of syphilis, congenital syphilis, has seen a huge surge in rates in recent years, more than doubling since 2013, according to the CDC, a federal health agency.

The only way to prevent both pregnancy and the spread of STDs for teens and young women is to abstain from sex, but girls and young women who do become pregnant should be aware of the potentially deadly risks of syphilis.

What Is Congenital Syphilis? 

Syphilis is a relatively common STD that generally progresses in several phases. Early phases may include obvious physical signs, while later phases are connected to serious health problems, such as organ damage or blindness. In rare cases, untreated syphilis can even lead to death.

As a whole, syphilis is becoming more common in the U.S. The rate of primary and secondary syphilis, the two earliest stages, went up by more than 70% between 2014 and 2018, and today the rate is the highest it’s been since 1993. While that’s a huge increase, the rate of congenital syphilis went up even more with a 185% increase since 2014.

Congenital syphilis is passed from an infected mother to a baby during pregnancy, and this type of infection is currently at its highest rate in the U.S. since 1995. Women who contract syphilis during their pregnancies are more likely to pass the STD to their babies, as they themselves are at their most contagious early in their infections.

What Are the Risks?

Both syphilis and congenital syphilis are becoming more common, and that’s a very troubling trend. The consequences of congenital syphilis can be especially tragic. Congenital syphilis is connected to:

• Miscarriage
• Premature birth
• Low birth weight
• Stillbirth

As many as 40% of babies born to mothers with untreated syphilis will be stillborn or die from the infection shortly after birth. For babies who do survive, they remain at risk of major health problems, such as:

• Blindness
• Deafness
• Meningitis
• Skin rashes
• Anemia
• Deformed bones
• Enlarged liver and spleen

Treatment & Prevention

For women and their babies, syphilis generally can be treated and cured, but treatment must happen as soon as a diagnosis is made. Not all babies who get congenital syphilis will show signs of infection as soon as they are born. Most will begin to develop symptoms within the first few weeks after they’re born, but for some, it can take years for signs to show up. Delaying treatment can cause developmental delays, seizures or even death.

All forms of syphilis can be easily cured with a course of antibiotics, and in some cases, that can mean a single injection. People who are treated for syphilis need to be tested during follow-up visits to ensure the treatment has been successful.

Babies who are born with congenital syphilis also can be treated, and they will need to be treated right away to avoid any potential health problems from popping up. Some babies who are treated for congenital syphilis will need to remain hospitalized for up to 10 days even if they have no other health problems to ensure that the treatment is working. Follow-up care also will be necessary down the road to make sure the infection was cured.

But as with any other type of disease or infection, prevention is the best medicine, and this is especially true for congenital syphilis, which can have deadly serious consequences. Federal health guidelines call for most pregnant people to be screened for several STDs, including syphilis, at least once in their pregnancy.

All pregnant women under 25 should be tested during their first prenatal visit for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV and hepatitis B. Women who are considered high-risk, such as those who regularly have unprotected sex or sleep with many different partners, should be screened for most STDs again at the start of their third trimester.

Not having sex or using responsible safer sex practices can help you avoid pregnancy and STDs in the first place. But it may be possible to contract an STD even if intercourse isn’t fully completed, and for those who are concerned about the peer pressure involved in the decision to have sex, the truth is that most teenagers aren’t sexually active. In fact, according to recent data from the CDC, just over one-quarter of high-schoolers regularly have sex.

“While the only truly safe sex is no sex, the use of condoms and dental dams can dramatically reduce the risk of transmitting and contracting STDs, including syphilis,” according to Maria Hemlock of AtHomeSTDKit.com. “In addition to the use of condoms to prevent pregnancy and some STDs, limiting sexual contact to long-term, mutually monogamous relationships can reduce risk even further.”

Conclusion

There’s no doubt that for most people, the prospect of becoming a teenage parent is a scary one. But irresponsible sexual habits can make things even worse by exposing a teenager or young woman and her unborn baby to a potentially deadly disease. The good news is that simple prevention methods and, if necessary, treatment can literally save lives.

Additional Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance 2018, Table 1. Sexually Transmitted Diseases — Reported Cases and Rates of Reported Cases, United States, 1941–2018. (2019.) Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/std/stats18/tables/1.htm

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), Congenital Syphilis, CDC Fact Sheet. (2017.) Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/stdfact-congenital-syphilis.htm

The post A Deadly Risk: What You Should Know About Syphilis & Pregnancy appeared first on GirlSpring.

( authors note: hey guys, it’s bri! so many tend to view teen pregnancy as a “disgrace” or “mistake”, although I would never encourage a teenager to get pregnant or have a baby, I still feel that things happen and it’s how we recover from them and how we decided on how to continue to live our future lives is what matters. Some of us don’t understand what teenagers go through, high school is already hard enough but then adding being pregnant is a whole different ball game. I just wanted to shed some light on what actually occurs with a pregnant teenager. This is an opinionated-educational article, therefore, this doesnt mean this occurs with every pregnant teenager, this is just a pregnant teen telling her story while trying to educate someone on what may occur being a pregnant teen.
bri xx )

Name: Kaitlyn
Age: 18
Race: White
Age You Found Out You Were Pregnant: 17
Due Date: September 2019

1. What was your first reaction when you found out you were pregnant?

I was terrified,  I never wanted kids and when I found out I just sat there emotionless. I immediately thought about how my life was about to change.

2. Who was the first person you told and why?

One of my friends who was there in that moment. I was so freaked out that I just needed to vent to someone.

3. Have you told your parents? Were you surprised at their reactions?

I told my mom over the phone and soon told my stepmom who soon told my dad. My mom actually was really excited about having a grandbaby which was kind of surprising but I also knew that would’ve been her reaction. My dad was also supportive but gave me the truth about teen parenting and how hard it was going to be.

4. What were some things you thought about during your first trimester?

I was very sick and couldn’t eat. Also, very depressed and nervous about how I would be looked at and how I would support my child, and buying diapers and formula and things like that. Thoughts about adoption or abortion occurred and I also thought about how my physical body image would change.

5. What were people’s reactions at school, in your neighborhood, your friends, etc.

My whole family seemed excited and happy but there were people that told me I was too young and I should give him away but overall my family was supportive and so were my friends. People at school of course judged me and talked about me but it’s my life and I really doesn’t care what they say. I just ignore them.

6. How far along are you?
31 weeks

7. How do you feel now that you have grown? Has anyone’s reaction changed? Has your mindset changed?

I’m still a little scared and nervous but excited to be a mother! Feeling him kick and hearing his heartbeat has made me feel so close to my son and I never thought I could love another human so much that I haven’t met yet. All of my family and friends are still happy and supportive. I feel that being pregnant has made me want to better myself and my future. I want to grow up and be more mature.

8. Are you happy with your decision of keeping your baby?

Like she said before she is overall very happy and excited, and unlike in the past, would never dream of giving him away.

9. How do you feel about the adults in this generation looking down on pregnant teens?

“I think that as an adult they’re gonna judge young girls who are pregnant regardless because I guess that’s an adult thing to do but honestly I think it’s ridiculous. I mean sure young people should of course wait because it is a huge responsibility but if this young girl is keeping her baby and is changing for the better or trying her hardest to provide for her child and make life better for the both of them then honestly how is it harming your life? I mean also adults are gonna judge a young girl if she decides to give it up for adoption or even get an abortion so there is really no winning here but I mean if it isn’t affecting your life then why even speak on it.”

10. What is one huge life lesson you’re gonna teach your baby?

To be respectful and nice to others because you never know what a person is going through and words hurt, so just treat people how you want to be treated.

11. Overall, how do you feel mentally, physically, and emotionally?

Mentally I feel good and happy, physically very tired and exhausted and my emotions are everywhere which becomes part of it. After my baby boy is here, I am planning on taking classes and getting a job in my dream career which is cosmetology and just doing the best, not just for me, but for my baby boy.

Again, this article is not to promote teen pregnancy but it is here to show that teens that are pregnant aren’t a disgrace or should be looked down on. There are female celebrities / influencers who had children young and are very successful. I support most young females and will not shame any young female for their personal life decisions. Although, I do believe safe sex is a need while in high school because things do happen so if you are having sex as a teenger, please pratice safe sex.

much love,

bri xx

Girlspring is a platform for girls to express themselves, write about relevant issues, and discuss their views. The views expressed on Girlspring.com do not reflect the views of GirlSpring. Teen pregnancy is a serious issue. For information on how to prevent teen pregnancy, please visit one of the following resources. 

http://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/teenpregnancy/

http://alabamacampaign.org

https://youth.gov/youth-topics/pregnancy-prevention

The post What You May Not Know About Teen Pregnancy appeared first on GirlSpring.

Coming Out

Coming out and discovering your sexuality is a really touchy subject and not everyone is comfortable with talking about their experiences. Although, it is a sensitive subject I know people (especially those who aren’t out yet) like to hear other LGBTQ+ coming out stories. Everyone’s story, of course, will be different! Some were accepted while others maybe weren’t. I had an okay experience which made me very curious about what other LGBTQ+ peoples’ experiences were. This led me to interview a few people with different cultural backgrounds to see how their experience went. I asked them all the same four questions.

Here are their responses:

Hayden Robinson
Current Age: N/A
Age You Came Out: 15
Gender: Male
Sexuality: Gay

When did you discover you were apart of the LGBTQ+ community?

During middle school, it felt kind of awkward walking through the underwear aisles. He started to realize when he had a crush on rapper Flo Rida.

When and Why did you decide to come out?

It all was a bit of a process, the first person he told was already a part of the LGBTQ+ community. He told them over Instagram demos, but then told them to delete their conversation. Then in November, he told his sister. The next month, he told his mom, and the month after that, his father. Soon, he told his stepmother on Valentine’s Day. Eventually, he told his close friends, but he still wasn’t out to everyone which affected his mental health. So, one Friday afternoon, he made a Snapchat story saying he was gay.

What were your responses from friends, family, teachers, etc?

Most of them knew already. Sister thought it was awesome that they could talk about boys together. Mom took it hard and was scared. Dad was kind of quiet and didn’t ask many questions besides how long did he know he was a part of the LGBTQ+ community. Stepmom didn’t think it was a big deal.
Friends were excited and pretty much already knew it.

Looking back, are you happy with your decisions on coming out?

He is very happy about it! He would not be where he is today if he hadn’t come out. His family and friends are also still very supportive.

Linus
Current Age: 16
Age You Came Out: 14
Gender: Female
Sexuality: Queer / Doesn’t really like labels though.

When did you discover you were apart of the LGBTQ+ community?

Younger, people would say a lot of homophobic things and she would take up for the LGBTQ+ community, not really realizing she was just standing up for herself.

When and Why did you decide to come out?

It wasn’t really formal, she just kind of talked about a crush who was apart of the LGBTQ+ community.

What were your responses from friends, family, teachers, etc?

Overall, friends acted normally while one “friend” tried to fully push her out of the closet which resulted in her cutting them off.

Looking back, are you happy with your decisions on coming out?

She’s only out to friends, but is happy about making that decision. She plans on coming out to family when ready.

Carter

Current Age: 15 turning 16
Age You Came Out At: 12
Gender: Transgender Male
Sexuality: Bisexual

When did you discover you were apart of the LGBTQ+ community?

The first time was when he was in a hospital and met people a part of that community. During that time, he was given a chest binder and a packer and decided to try it.

When and Why did you decide to come out?

He came out as bisexual when he was twelve around thanksgiving time. He came out as transgender at fourteen.

What were your responses from friends, family, teachers, etc?

Friends weren’t accepting at all and didn’t really understand it.
Mom was giving him the talk when he came out as bisexual and was okay with it. Dad didn’t really care, but questioned if he was really sure he was bisexual. When coming out as transgender, his mom was confused and not accepting. She thought he was too young to make that decision. Four years later, Mom has accepted it but doesn’t want him to make rash decisions.
Parents told teachers to call him a different name but didn’t tell them that he is transgender.

Looking back, are you happy with your decisions on coming out?

Yes and No, he’s still battling with a couple of different things. Wishes he hadn’t told friends, but glad he came out to his family otherwise he would still be confused about things.

Jamiah
Current Age: 16
Age You Came Out At: 15
Gender: Female
Sexuality: Lesbian

When did you discover you were apart of the LGBTQ+ community

In seventh grade. The first year at a new school and decided that she wasn’t attracted to guys anymore.

When and Why did you decide to come out?

Made the decision to come out because she didn’t want to hide anymore and just wanted to be honest with herself.

What were your responses from friends, family, teachers, etc?

Mom and Brothers already knew and did not care nor treat her differently. Dad doesn’t know and is not gonna tell him because she feels he just won’t understand. Friends were really happy and weren’t really shocked.

Looking back, are you happy with your decisions on coming out?

Yes, Very Happy. She was just tired of hiding it and finally happy she can be open about her relationships.

Talking with these individuals opened my eyes a lot.

You always hear stories about people’s coming out experiences. Some are like a happy fairy tale ending. Some are not so happy and end with people taking their own lives. Not everyone is gonna be accepting of the LGBTQ+ community, but every individual has a right to express themselves and not be treated differently or less than anyone else in this world. Coming out is not the easiest to do so wait until you’re ready and are comfortable with sharing it to friends, family or anyone. Don’t let anyone force you to do anything you don’t want to do. If you are not comfortable with coming out, it’s perfectly fine, no pressure, but know that, even if it doesn’t feel like it, there are many people out there who love and support you.

If you do come out and you start to experience verbal, physical, emotional abuse or any form of bullying, tell someone. Don’t let other people’s stupidity make you feel bad about being yourself. Hopefully, reading other people’s stories helped or educated you a little bit on how different everyone’s reactions and how it changed or didn’t change their lives.

much love,
bri xx

Everyone deserves to feel comfortable being themself, gay, straight, bi, trans, whatever! Check out some tips on being comfortable in your own skin.

If you are thinking about coming out but don’t know how to, or have more questions than you can count, look at the Human Right’s Campaign’s Coming Out Resource Guide.

The post Deciding To Come Out appeared first on GirlSpring.

So, here are ten pieces of advice that I have come up with while reflecting on my past relationships:

1. Don’t fall for the “players.”

You might be “special” and a player might actually be really into you, but those types of people like to have their cake and eat it too. Even if you end up dating them, players almost never grow out of it. They will most likely either cheat on you or move on to the next shiny new thing as soon as you’re comfortable. That may sound like a bit of a generalization, but it’s one of the few that I will maintain as facts for the rest of my life.

2. If your family and friends don’t like your S.O., then it’s probably time to move on.

The people you are close to and trust usually have your best interests in mind. If you are telling them details about your relationship and they have hung out with you and your boyfriend/girlfriend multiple times, then they probably know what they’re talking about. Because you are too busy being lovestruck by your new beau, your family and friends are seeing firsthand how your S.O. treats you. When they finally tell you how they feel about your S.O., try not to get defensive and just listen to what they have to say. Your loved ones know you better than anyone else.

3. Don’t let them tell you how to dress. They are not your boss or mama.

If your S.O. is telling you what to wear as a plus one to their event or to maybe dress a little more conservatively in front of their parents, that is fine. You should respect their wishes when it comes to their family. However, if your S.O. is starting fights or ignoring you over something that you choose to wear. That’s a problem. This means that your S.O. believes they “own” you in some way and are entitled to make you feel bad about yourself for embarrassing them or asking for attention. Wear what you want.

4. Be mindful of how much time you spend with them.

Make time for other priorities in your life. Nothing annoys me more than the couple that has to constantly be with each other because I used to be one of those people. Why are you basically living with them? Stop settling down like an old married couple and go have fun with your friends and family. Don’t just make your loved ones a backup plan just because plans failed to go through with your S.O. They know that you only want to get dinner tonight because Billy is out of town. You’re not slick.

5. If y’all have broken up more than once… it ain’t workin’

You know what I’m talking about. There is always that one couple that breaks up and gets back together so many times that you lost track and stopped caring a long time ago. Sorry, but if you can’t decide if you want to be with someone and have gone on multiple “breaks”, it’s time to move on. Yes, you probably still are attracted to them or care about them, but that doesn’t mean you work as a couple. Stop wasting your time.

6. Abuse is not always physical

Be aware of the manipulative types. If you see them manipulating and lying to their family and friends, then they are 100% doing the same thing to you. This is where it becomes dangerous in relationships because you don’t know what is true and what is not. A manipulative person will do everything in their power to spin the story to their advantage and turn the problems on you.

They will call you crazy and victimize themselves. Or they will ask you why you would ever accuse them of such a thing. They will come up with so many explanations and lies for things that you will start to question your own sanity and worth. This is called “gaslighting” and it is officially classified as a form of abuse in psychology. It is a strategy that people use to break you and make you trust them so they can continue doing whatever they want while knowing that they can convince you of anything.

7. You don’t have to give into their “needs”.

If your S.O. gets mad at you for not wanting to engage in a sexual activity-red flag. They should be respectful of your boundaries from the beginning to the end of your relationship. You are not responsible for their satisfaction. Just because you are in a relationship does not mean that they own your body.

8. They have a superiority complex…

People who are critical of everyone else but themselves are the worst. Don’t waste your time on someone who can’t admit their own fault in a situation. Both members of a relationship should not only communicate but also feel comfortable with recognizing
their own mistakes.

9. You never receive anything in return…

Your S.O. just takes and uses, but you’ve come to the realization that whenever you need something from them- it’s an ordeal? Yes, when you help someone it should be from the heart and not a part of an agenda. However, if you are constantly putting your all into the relationship and it’s unrequited when you’re finally the sick one this time… then you are probably just being used.

10. They call the shots.

One day things between y’all are going great, and the next day they’ve decided it’s over. Don’t let them just break up with you whenever they please so they can have a “break”, then come running back in a week when they decide that they want you back. You are not a doormat. “Breaks” are just for people who are too scared to actually tell their S.O. that they no longer want to be with them.

Healthy relationships are key to being happy, take a look at our list and see if some of the things that your boo, your friends, or even you do are unhealthy.

The post 10 Signs of a Toxic Relationship appeared first on GirlSpring.