How early is too early to talk about AIDS?
by viochan | August 11, 2008 at 7:56 PM
I found this in The New York Times today. This is what happens when children's curiosity is encouraged and when parents, doctors, and educators are willing to talk openly (and not so openly) about sex and AIDS.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/26/health/26aids.html?_r=1&emc=eta1&oref=...
You can also watch the actual film here:
http://www.eztakes.com/store/movie/Please-Talk-to-Kids-About-AIDS-Movie-...
Comments
Great article
Viochan,
Thank you for sharing this with the Pulse Wire community. I just read the article and I am fascinated. I can't wait to see the documentary. Have you seen it? What do you think about the question you posed?
I am not sure what age I think it is appropriate to tell children about AIDS or sex but I do think that they go together. If you think it is time to tell your children about sex then they better know about AIDS too.
Thanks again for sharing and I hope to run into you again on Pulse Wire.
In friendship,
Jenna Kellam
Let's start talking!
I think it is very brave of these filmmakers to bring children into the discussion about HIV and AIDS. In the plot summary on the website they ask,"Why have so many died because we can't talk about these subjects in an open and honest way?" I agree. I think talking with children and young people about HIV/AIDS is only a beginning to destigmatizing those who are living and positive. I think starting the discussion early on is also necessary to give children the tools to make informed decisions as they grow older.
I recently caught a glimpse of an awesome collaboration between Cascade AIDS Project (www.cascadeaids.org) and Adelante Chicas (www.adelantemujeres.org/about/AdelanteChicas.html) when PulseWire went out to Forest Grove to meet the girls and young women of Adelante Chicas. CAP has been working with Adelante Chicas, an organization of bright young latinas, over several weeks to open up a discussion of AIDS and debunk the myths of how it is transmitted. They finished up with a radio project and a video project in which the girls talk about what they have learned. Intersections like these give me great hope for the future! Also, Adelante Chicas are all on PulseWire now...I'm sure they have a bit to say about their experience with CAP.
Can you post the video link on Sharing Solutions? I can't wait to watch it!