The STI-Pregnancy Matrix

When we get bored, we get pseudointellectual.

The current theory being tossed around by Bae & Me (aka A Corporation of Brilliance) is an analysis of teen STI and pregnancy rates. The slate.com economist blogger posited that the increase in STIs among teens was a direct result of decreased pregnancy rates. The connection? More teens were engaging in non-vaginal intercourse to avoid pregnancy, and of course, doing this without protection, which sharply increases their chances of catching a "social disease."

So we wondered: How much more desirable is an STI than a pregnancy? (Bae began scribbling some sort of equation as is required of an econ major. I relaxed into some anthropological po-mo theory and began blabbing about Foucault, who, fortunately for me, applies to EVERYTHING).

We came to the conclusion that for teens any bacterial STI is preferable to a teen pregnancy. These can normally be cured by a course of antiobitics. Then comes pregnancy, which is a transient state regardles of which decision the teen ultimately takes. Lastly comes viral STIs, which are incurable as of yet. So yes.

Gonorrhea. Then Baby. Then Herpes.

--- Bae & Me