This question is directed at those who are “older and wiser” in our class. J The graphic novel, Pedro and Me, highlights Pedro’s fight against HIV / AIDS. What kind of information did you receive about HIV/AIDS when you were younger? How has that information and the way it’s delivered changed over time? How have the topics of HIV /AIDS and sexuality, specifically being homosexual, changed since you were younger? Do you think that younger generations are more informed on HIV / AIDS, homosexuality, and practicing safe sex than you were?
When I was a child in the early 1990s, I thought only deviants or weirdos had HIV/AIDs and that you could contract it through having contact with their saliva. The information has changed over time in that I now realize its much more difficult to contract HIV/AIDs and all sorts of people have it. I think there is more awareness due to more media campaigns that are informational as well as more schools and parents are informing students. Concerning HIV/AIDs and homosexuality, homosexuals are more accepted and the disease is seen as being treatable and not a death sentence as it use to be for most people (Magic Johnson excluded). And yes, younger generations are more informed about HIV/AIDs, homosexuality, and safe sex since we know more about HIV/AIDs, accept homosexuals more, and realize that safe sex can prevent HIV/AIDs when abstinence fails.
ReplyDeleteI remember when AIDS was a mysterious illness. I remember seeing the emaciated images of... mostly men in their final stages with the disease. I also recall that in the beginning it was only a "homosexuals" disease. It gave powerful testimony for televangelists to claim that it was God's will. There was terrible homophobia. Over time and through education we came to learn that it could be a disease that affects all of us.
ReplyDeleteI know that there are many treatments now that can extend the lives of many with the disease. It seems as though youth may not understand that it is still a serious threat. But we in the U.S. are spoiled. It is the number one cause of death to many in southern Africa.
I do not care to admit that I am of the "older and wiser" group in class. However, I will take a stab at this question because I think its an excellent question. When I think back to the education I received on the topic of HIV in school I am sad to say there is not much to remember. It was a very dark, taboo topic and was barely addresses in school. Beyond learning the importance of condoms in sex ed during health class, we were not told much and we certainly did not discuss it.
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