POSITIVELY VALUED STEREOTYPES OF FEMININITY AND MASCULINITY.
March 17th, 2009MYTHS ABOUT BIRTH CONTROL AND PREGNANCY
Positively valued stereotypes of femininity
According to the stereotypes of femininity, women are always supposed to be:
emotional
warm
able to devote themselves to others
gentle
helpful
kind
understanding
aware of others’ feelings
Positively valued stereotypes of masculinity
According to stereotypes of masculinity, men are always supposed to be:
able to perform under pressure
independent
dominant
active
competitive
self-confident
determined
Dangerous myths about birth control and pregnancy
Although nearly 75 percent of all teens have sexual intercourse before they graduate from high school, many believe myths that may lead to unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted infection. To offset these misconceptions about birth control and pregnancy, young adolescents need to know the following:
• A woman can get pregnant even if:
- she is having vaginal bleeding
- she doesn’t have an orgasm
- she doesn’t have vaginal intercourse often
- she has vaginal intercourse standing up
- she urinates right after having vaginal intercourse
- she douches with Coke®, Sprite®, Fresca®, or anything else
- the man pulls his penis out of her vagina before he ejaculates
- she jumps up and down after vaginal intercourse
- she hasn’t had her first period yet
- she’s under 12 years old
- it’s her first time
• Plastic wrap wrapped around the penis is not an effective contraceptive.
• The Pill does not prevent sexually transmitted infections.
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