Thursday, November 29, 2007

Man Grows Breasts?

A 42-year old Mpumulanga man has started growing breasts after he was enrolled in the government's antiretroviral (ARV) treatment programme, the Sowetan newspaper reported on Wednesday.

The Sowetan reported that the Standerton man, whose photograph appears on the front page with his face blacked out, had started growing breasts a month after he began taking antiretroviral drugs in April.

The resident of Standerton's Sakhile township said doctors and nurses at Standerton's TB hospital refused to listen to him.

He then made a decision to stop taking the drugs and a private doctor later told him that his decision to take the drugs had contributed to the growth of his breasts.

"I am forced to remain indoors because whenever I take a stroll on the streets, people stare at me and some even laugh uncontrollably when they see my big boobs," he was quoted as saying.

Mpumulanga health spokesperson Mpho Gabashane told Sapa on Wednesday that the department would investigate the case.

He urged all those on ARV treatment to take their drugs exactly as prescribed by their doctors.

"Any reaction they (ARV recipients) experience, they must go back to the doctors and nurses and tell them. But they must not default on their treatment. This can cause problems."

He said the department would try to trace the man and determine what had gone wrong.

At the 15th International Aids Conference held in Bangkok in 2004, one paper was presented reporting that three percent of men on highly active antiretroviral therapy in a study group of 579 male patients experienced Gynecomastia - the development of breasts in males.
Posted by Ajay :: 6:14 PM :: 0 comments

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---------------oOo--------------- Should Spanking Your Child Be Illegal?

Massachusetts lawmakers say a proposed measure that would ban parents from spanking their children, even in their own homes, is a way to protect kids from abuse. But many parents believe it's an example of government run amok.

In all 50 states, parents are legally allowed to spank their children. But in 29 states it's illegal for a teacher to practice corporal punishment, including spanking.

A Massachusetts nurse is hoping to change that and make the state the first in the nation to ban corporal punishment at home.

"I think it's ironic that domestic violence applies to everyone except the most vulnerable — children," said Kathleen Wolf, who wrote the bill.

Massachusetts lawmakers will consider the bill today.


The very idea of the bill has stirred huge controversy, because many parents say the state is trying to take away what's been a tried and true method of child-rearing. As many a mom has said, "Spare the rod, spoil the child."

"We don't spank her, but I think that ought to be a parent's choice," one Massachusetts father said of the bill.

And one mother echoed the sentiments of many, saying, "I don't want the government telling me how to raise my children."

Nineteen countries have banned corporal punishment, and some child-rearing experts believe one day the United States will do so as well.


Banning Spanking"I don't know if it's an idea whose time has come. But it's possibly one whose time is coming," said Lisa Berlin, a professor at the Duke University Center for Child and Family Policy.

Wolf has children and said she has "swatted my kids a couple times."

She says she's not recommending that parents who spank their kids should face jail time, as they do in Sweden, or fines as they do elsewhere.

"I don't think the idea is to punish people. I think the idea is to give them the support that they need," Wolf said.
Via-ABC

Posted by Ajay :: 10:05 AM :: 0 comments

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