Shame, silence and the female body

Abortion, the morning-after pill, breast augmentation and now the controversy over the vaccine for the human papilloma virus (HPV). Once again, the female body becomes a political battlefield.

The debate over the HPV vaccine is especially troubling. Doctors say it will protect females from the sexually transmitted disease and possibly save them from cervical cancer, especially if given early. But some families worry they're sending the wrong moral message by having their young daughters vaccinated, or simply dread discussing such a personal issue with them at all. Some parents hope the vaccine can be administered with other immunizations at birth, thus sparing them "the talk."

The discomfort, shame and certainly the silence send girls damaging messages about their bodies and their sexuality. Denying them information about their health -- which is, after all, what this discussion is really about -- is not only dangerous but downright negligent.

Researchers say an HPV vaccine is in the offing for boys and men. It will be interesting to see if the same sort of uneasy, protective silence enshrouds the issues for them as well.