Once again, the internet is taking a logical statement, removing some context from it, adding some new context to it, and getting angry about the Frankenstein monster that is of their own making.

Photo by PIKSEL/Getty Images

Earlier this week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new recommendations on ways in which the number of newborns diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome can be reduced. A press release published on Tuesday states that alcohol can potentially cause permanent damage to a developing baby before a woman even knows that she is pregnant. Because there is no known safe level of alcohol at any stage of pregnancy, the CDC has stated that the only way to effectively limit the number of babies born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is to abstain from alcohol if you are sexually active, of childbearing age, and not on any form of birth control. Currently, it is estimated that 3.3 million women between the ages of 15 and 44 are at risk of exposing a developing baby to alcohol.

Now, this makes sense to me. You’re able to get pregnant. You’re doing the one thing that could make you get pregnant. And you’re taking no measures to stop yourself from getting pregnant. A reasonable person could deduce that you are fairly likely to end up getting pregnant, right? So then, the CDC is not out of line in daring to suggest that, based on that criteria, the only way to effectively prevent Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is to either abstain from alcohol or use some method of birth control.

Again, I’m going to stress this point: this is a RECOMMENDATION. This is not a law, it is not a requirement, rather it is a recommendation on how best to limit the number of babies born with FAS.

Well, this recommendation went over as well as one would expect.

Darlena Cunha of Time said that the recommendation “shames and discriminates against women,” writing: “Since birth control wouldn’t be a factor in women already developing a fetus inside of them, we must assume that the CDC is telling all women of child bearing age not to drink at all, in case they might accidentally fall pregnant. They are protecting a fetus that doesn’t exist. They are talking down to women who have the right to privacy, the right to monitor their own health like adults and somewhat of a right to bodily autonomy (unless they’re pregnant) and taken those away in the name of an imaginary baby.”

Claire Warner of Bustle chimed in, writing “Where are the guidelines instructing men to wear condoms if their partner doesn’t use another method of birth control? What about suggesting men get a vasectomy instead of expecting women to go on the pill, which may be restricted in her area, or get an IUD, the insertion of which some gynecologists may even not perform on young women?”

Jessica Roy of the Los Angeles Times didn’t pull any punches, grossly misrepresenting the information in her headline “CDC to younger women: Better take your birth control before you drink that glass of wine.”

Social media users were equally critical, calling the advice misogynistic, sexist, condescending, and “patronizing slut shaming.” These criticisms come from people who clearly do not understand what a “recommendation” is, but even more, do not understand what the CDC is. The CDC is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its entire purpose for existing is controlling and preventing diseases. I understand that it might make you feel upset because prevention means responsibility, and that’s super hard, but considering Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is one disease that is able to be largely prevented, I think withholding the advice – which is essentially common sense – is far worse than you being upset that you have the ability to prevent a serious disease and simply do not want to.

Then again, people do tend to get irrationally upset whenever you dare suggest that there is a level of personal responsibility involved when you’re sexually active.

Liz Finnegan is a soulless ginger with no political leanings. Pun enthusiast. Self-proclaimed “World’s Okayest Person.” Retro gaming contributor for The Escapist.

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