Crisis Pregnancy Agency causes controversy
Ireland’s Crisis Pregnancy Agency caused a furore this July when Kay Garvey, a member of the agency, asked Mary Harney, Minister for Health, if sexually active 11-year-olds who asked for contraceptives should be given assistance. Harney, advocating a “realistic and practical” approach, said she believed that if under-16s had parental consent, they should be allowed access to emergency contraceptives.
The furore erupted with one side claiming that Harney’s approach was a wake-up call for parents and others lambasting the minister, saying her remarks legitimised under-age sexual activity. The CPA estimates that about 30% of Irish teens are sexually active, although the true extent is unknown. However, it seems likely that sexual activity is widespread among minors. What is known is that Ireland has the second highest number of teen pregnancies in Europe. Last year 2,560 Irish teens gave birth. Of these, only 53 births were to girls under 15. Forty-nine Irish girls under 16 travelled to the UK for abortions.
No Condoms please, we’re Catholic
In more contraception controversy, the Crisis Pregnancy Agency has reported that a number of Dublin pharmacies refuse to stock contraceptives on moral grounds. Olive Braiden, chairperson of the CPA has called for a study to establish whether this is a problem with pharmacies outside the capital as well. However, according to The Sunday Times, only one pharmacy, Bourke’s in Glasthule, refuses to stock either condoms or the pill.
RTE may advertise condoms
RTE is considering revising its advertising guidelines and may lift restrictions on the advertising of condoms. Although RTE has carried public service adverts promoting the use of condoms for safe sex, condoms are one of a number of products that cannot be advertised on the national broadcaster.
Web
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Poetic Nobs
I am obviously not the only Anne Sexton that spends too much time thinking about penises. The American poet who shares my name wrote about them quite often. Here’s a selection:
With His penis like a chisel
He carved the Pietà.
From ‘Jesus Asleep’
The soldier stands on a stepladder
above us
pointing his red penis right at me and saying,
Don’t take this personally.
From ‘Letters to Dr. Y...’
Let Anne and Christopher rejoice with the worm
who moves into the light like a doll’s penis.
From ‘Third Psalm’