The XX Factor: Slate women blog about politics, etc...

The Birth Control Story's Back

Following the kerfuffle over birth control for the Hanna Montana set, health officials in Portland, Maine, have agreed to report “all illegal sexual activity involving minors as required by law,” according to an article from a Maine newspaper. That includes any time someone 13 or younger has sex, even if it’s consensual. What this does is basically nullify the idea of providing oral contraceptives for the middle schoolers.

But as Slate’s William Saletan has noted recently, consent laws are particularly tricky now that girls are reaching puberty earlier. Of course it’s disturbing to think of a 13, 12, or 11 year old girl having sex (whether we’re talking full-on intercourse or “fooling around” that includes other behaviors, like oral sex). But I’m even more disturbed by the decision to force health-care professionals to report consensual activity among teens. Perhaps it’s because I’m not a parent and, as a 23 year old, I vividly remember middle school, in all its oily-skinned, awkward glory. I knew girls who were having oral sex as 13-year-olds. I was fairly grossed by that idea, even at the time. But I was also relieved that at every physical, my doctor would assure me that I could talk to her in confidence about anything. There was nothing to tell—any romantic life I had at the time was strictly in the fantasy category. But it was a relief to hear it and helped me have some trust for her. If the 13-year-olds know that their doctor has to report any sexual contact, are they really going to be truthful during check-ups? Probably not. And if I’ve learned anything from watching House, M.D., it’s that being honest with your doctor is the most important thing you can do.