Why don't people who have permanent transmissible std's have to get some sort of visible tattoo on their genitalia? Would this not cut down on std transmission?

I'm actually on your side in this argument, and do not believe people should be forcibly branded/marked like this, because of your first argument: "freedom", as you pointed out.


But... as to your second point, that people should "evaluate the risks and act accordingly"... I suspect that might be an oversimplification of the complexities of human relationships and sexuality.


So just to explain... when you say people should "act accordingly" I assume you are essentially implying they should use a condom?

But... there are of course STD's transmitted in other sex-acts that will inevitably arise in most relationships (no pun intended!), including oral sex on both partners.

So at that point in the relationship, then to "act accordingly" would essentially mean:

"Sorry honey. I know we've been dating for 7 months and you've been dying for me to go down on you, but I can not do so until you've gone to the lab, and had a full blood work, and tests for all possible STD's, and then present me with the lab report, so that I may 'act accordingly'".


LIKEWISE... as the relationship progresses even further, if a couple decides to have children, then unprotected sex will usually need to occur (no condom).

Again, are they to await a full lab report? Does anyone really do that?

I don't doubt a few of you out there do indeed do this. But I would strongly suspect such people are in a tiny minority, because the rest of us eventually take a leap of faith at some point, for the sake of intimacy and the furthering of the relationship.


And it is in natural moments like that, at which point BAM! -- STD's are sometimes transmitted, often unbeknown to either partner (since STDs can have asymptomatic phases in their lifecycle).


So "acting accordingly" sounds like a nice simple solution and piece of advice.

And indeed it's valuable advice, as it can certainly help reduce transmission rates...

But eventually in the real world, and given true human nature, nearly all of us "act UNaccordingly" at some points in our lives.

/r/AskReddit Thread Parent