Question

Why is it that among well-educated reasonably affluent Americans, there is a high rate of STIs?
What is the role of education in preventing STIs? What are the barriers to STI prevention?

Answer
I believe that one reason well-educated Americans are being infected with STIs is that they
are too embarrassed to talk to their sexual partner about being tested. Many couples simply
assume that their partners are clean and will not question them because of a certain way they are.
In the text, it says, “Just because a person is “nice” or good-looking or available and willing is no
guarantee that he or she does not have one of the STIs” (Strong & Cohen, 2017, p. 232). They
assume their partner is safe from STIs because they look nice but in reality, you never know
someone’s past. Sometimes they do not know if they have STI in the early stages because
someone could not have disclosed to them which then creates a cycle.

Another reason well educated Americans have a high rate of getting an STI is not being
well-educated about the subject. Many people don’t know that wearing a condom could help
prevent STIs, many people only worry about pregnancy while blowing off STIs. STIs can be
transmitted through oral and anal sex, as well as traditional sex. Many people don’t know how it
can be transmitted, and what the results could be. By allowing the proper education about STIs
then Americans can prepare themselves accurately. They would have more confidence in facing
their partners about getting tested. Americans can also be better prepared when they have a
sexual partner, they can bring condoms to make sure their safety is available.

There are a couple of different barriers when it comes to STI prevention, one of them is
STIs not being viewed as a serious enough subject to get an examination or tests done. Many
Americans see themselves as being too busy to go to the doctors as well. Another barrier is
availability, many Americans cannot afford to pay for tests if they do not have a good insurance
plan. They might have enough education, but not enough resources. Another barrier is people
feeling ashamed to be getting tested because it is such an intimate subject. I do not think people
should feel ashamed; however, society has placed a grey cloud over the subject of STIs because
of how private the matter is. I think placing a better light on the STI subject would help by
allowing people to educate and protect themselves.

Reference

Strong, B., & Cohen, T. F. (2017). The marriage and family experience: Intimate relationships
in a changing society (13th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.