Most parents can get behind the idea of preventing kids from getting cancer, but, as with condoms, they worry about the message it will send to children.

The children who would receive the vaccine have already had sex education classes. They know about STDs. They probably knew about sex even before the classes. It is not new information.

In fact, in a year, over a quarter of them will know about sex firsthand.

But realistically, who tells a child all about measles and tetanus before giving him the shots? You just give the child the shot he needs.

Kids need the vaccine because there's a risk. There's a risk that they won't listen to their parents and ministers about abstinence. There's a risk that they'll wait and end up having sex with someone who lies about his or her history. There's a risk that they will get raped or abused.

There's a risk they'll think nothing bad could ever happen to them - a common mindset for teens - and seriously regret it when they're getting chemo at 60.

Shit happens. Even teens can understand that, and the misguided notion that they can't only deprives them of information and enables them to make stupid decisions.

If you don't want the school to tell your daughter about it, ask your doctor to tell her. If that is not acceptable, tell her yourself. But, for her sake, get her the vaccine. And when it's approved for males, get your son one, too.

Tell us what you think. Write Spectrum at editor@mcckc.edu.

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