AIDS: Why does it still exist in Developed Countries?

Author: Haris Stavridis
Country: Greece

As we all know, AIDS is a disease caused by the virus HIV. I am sure, that you are informed about the causes of AIDS, what AIDS does and so on. I don't want to write a tiring article, so I am not going to refer to the causes and the results of AIDS. But, I want you to consider this, why do we still have victims in Developed Countries?

In Developed Countries, many -non governmental- organizations and many governmental ones spend a lot of money in informing people, especially the youth, about this Disease. They publish books, design brochures, organize seminars and even give free condoms! Unfortunately, Aids does still exist in those countries and the number of infected people is steadly increasing.

Some of them say that sex withought condom is better and some others believe that their partner is a non-infected person.
These are two reasons that cause many many people to infected by the virus. When you have sex with someone else you don't know whether he or she had plenty relationships in the past or whether he or she is a carrier of HIV. When you don't take precautions, you are in danger, I believe that's true.

Are we so foolish? Are people so clueless? With all the awareness campaigns that are held to spread awareness about AIDS, the numbers of infected people is still increasing.
Scientist know about what's going on, they have many statistics. But we don't care. That's the harsh reality. We belive that this is not going to happen to us or to the one we love.
I don't want to terrify you, I just want to know why don't we care about ourselves, and if we do, why don't we care about the others around us?
What more can we do?
Please, when you are alone at home, sit down and think of these questions, try to find answers. I've tried to find answers, but I couldn't.

Wait a minute-I have a face?

Author: Amy de Salvo
Country: Ireland


My friends and I have recently noticed that no matter where we go, there has been almost always some crude comment made about us, by young boys to men who are ten years older than us. My friends are usually happy to let it float over their heads, and ignore it, but it feels like I'm betraying myself and what my true feelings are if I don't turn and ask them "Do you have something to say to me?" and send them into a ripple of shock that I can speak up for myself. The most recent case that we have been subjected to was from children, ranging from five to ten, shouting "hey hotties," and wolf whistling at us-it is like we're robots without feelings, without a care what people like them say to us. I turned on my heel, it was as if for the first time they had noticed I had a face.
The boy who had evidently said this to me, was immediatly frightened and stammered something about him not saying it, that it was his friend. I shook my head and walked off, I didn't need to say anything. It wasn't that they had called at me like that, it was that people think it's socially acceptable. That people can shout from their cars at young girls, they think that it's okay for people to do that. It's like we have no face, no personailty, that we are just walking dolls or something.
I don't really care about men ten years older than me yelling at me in the streets, it shows their poor upbringing and lack of manners, but it frightens me to think that young children are starting to do the exact same, like a ripple effect, it's cool if their brothers do it right?
I've always been told it's because they like you, that they do this, but I personally think it's for attention, maybe I shouldn't give it to them by turning to ask them what they wanted, but it's something that I get pleasure out of to see the look on their face, the look that reads something along the lines of "Oh my god, bad idea," I think that it should be reinforced everywhere, that you turn and ask what they want, it shocks them that maybe, just maybe you have a brain and have a life other than them shouting at you.
The last thing is, I think that any male who shouts at a woman should know that it doesn't make us like you, it doesn't make you look great in front of your friends and it most definitly doesn't make you more eligible to date. It just upsets people, like my friends and I, who are just trying to do what you're doing, calling to see if a friend can come outside, buying a chocolate bar or renting a video. I resent the difference between a male going out with their friends and a girl going out with their friends, it's not fair that we have to put up with wolf-whistles and not many of them do. I Can't wait until the day that I can go somewhere without being shouted at by children or older teens who just haven't grown up.