Stupid laws

I found out yesterday in my theory class that Virginia state law does not allow medical professionals to share the diagnosis of an STD in a teenager with the parent.  This makes me angry! In a minor child, the parent is responsible for teaching them how to live and to provide correction, education and redirection when a child with poor judgment is making bad decisions.  How can they do that when it's a secret?!?! I understand that the idea is that a teenager will be comfortable seeking medical treatment for their sexual activities if they do not fear their parents. But clearly the child isn't smart enough to figure out that if they are afraid of the consequences, they are doing something they shouldn't be doing in the first place. Teenagers are immature and irresponsible sometimes and that is why they have parents to help them.  They don't have enough experience to make the right decision 100% of the time. That's why they are considered minors and their parents are responsible for them! It seems so silly! I can't believe that such contradictory laws exist.  When it comes to any other medical condition, the parents make the decision even if it's against the wishes of their 17 year old child.  Why are STDs different?  It would make more sense to me to allow a child with cancer or a life threatening disease who has the time to discuss the options and their decisions with adults to make their own medical choices than to hide diagnoses indicating poor sexual choices from parents.  I agree with allowing the child to consent to treatment from a physician for STDs, but the parents still need to know.  The child needs to be protected if they are making decisions that are leading to preventable illnesses like STDs.  How can the state prevent the parents from knowing about their child's behavior and protecting their child from decisions that may change their lives???  I just don't understand and I don't like it and I would LOVE to know how to change it!

Being single

All the Single Ladies - The Atlantic

I have always thought that I was somehow less because I'm still single. It was as if all my friends or acquaintances finally became somebody when they had someone to love them for the rest of their lives. In my eyes they now had purpose and meaning and family and belonged to a different class of people - a higher class. I always felt I must somehow be less because no one loved me. I am now dating someone I could see spending the rest of my life with, but the fact that he doesn't yet feel the same still stings like not being worthy of love at all. Somehow, despite what the linked article says, I feel as if everyone I know is married or getting married. Those who are married are all having children and I feel like I'm left behind and as if I've missed something.  This viewpoint that life finally starts when you get married really hinders the single person. There are so many benefits to being single. Before dating, I had so much time to do hobbies I liked and to read and to hang out with my girlfriends. I don't see much of my friends anymore at all...I'm just too busy. I am working on being patient and enjoying what are hopefully the end to my single days. But I am starting to think that there will still be times I won't feel loved despite the fact that I'm married to someone. I think those doubts that plague me now as a single person will continue to rear their ugly head. I need to find security in being me and being loved by God and then, regardless of my marital state, I can be content and sure of myself. I want a husband and kids, but I need to know I'm ok if that doesn't happen too.