Abstinence Programs NOT working? WHA??
This is hilarious. Students who participate in abstinence programs during adolescence have little to no better success in abstaining (from, you know... SEX) a couple of years after "completion" of the program. This government-funded study found that they still have sex at 14 years 9 months (the average) and they have just as many partners. What? But how can $176 million (the amount our federal gov't spends on abstinence-until-marriage-education each year) not work? That's like SO much money!
After reading this story, one has to wonder: what's the point of abstinence education? I realize that it's just one study, albeit comprehensive. I just want to know what can you possibly tell kids beyond the fact that sex is risky; it can lead to babies and STDs. Abstinence is the only way to avoid these things. Period. How hard is that to understand? Coming from a middle schooler, it's not hard to understand. Actually, it's quite easy. The same principle is expressed when one says, "if you touch a hot burner, you'll hurt yourself". There are consequences to certain actions and any human who has made it to adolescence is well aware of that.
The problem, as I see it, lies in the approach to abstinence education. First, you're talking to middle schoolers (or younger). Speaking on behalf of the boys, they are people who for the most part can't absorb any warning of danger because they're too busy covering their boners. "Would you like to come up to the class and solve this math problem"? = "Show us that tent you made in your pants". Forget it. Besides, these adults are stupid to think their "fire and brimstone" approach to sex education will ward off promiscuous behavior. By vilifying sex, they make it something secret, something dangerous, in other words something young people gravitate towards.
I guess it shouldn't surprise me that loads of people still adhere to puritanical values concerning sex education. Of course it's difficult and weird to talk to a child about sex. But that's not their problem - it's ours. I've always found that children know a hell of a lot more than you think they do about everything (especially middle schoolers and especially about sex). The same parents who allow their kids to watch MTV will flip out when their kid comes home with a sex education pamphlet.
For a society that prides itself on accomplishment and progress, we certainly have a regressive approach to sex education. There is nothing wrong with being open and honest about sex and it's consequences. To think that there's a way to prevent children from experimenting only leads to further problems.
Here's another problem I have - abstinence only supporters claim that by speaking frankly to kids about sex makes them want to do it more. By handing out condoms, we're somehow enabling children to turn into horny zombies. Trust me, there is no way you could possibly make a middle school boy want sex any more than he already does. These supporters claim they are "protecting" their children. But how can you protect someone from something by telling them to just ignore the problem? There are actual ways to help - condoms, birth control, discussion, etc.
Well, I've been on my soapbox long enough. Use a condom, don't think it'll work 100% of the time and stay in school. Oh, and don't do white drugs.
After reading this story, one has to wonder: what's the point of abstinence education? I realize that it's just one study, albeit comprehensive. I just want to know what can you possibly tell kids beyond the fact that sex is risky; it can lead to babies and STDs. Abstinence is the only way to avoid these things. Period. How hard is that to understand? Coming from a middle schooler, it's not hard to understand. Actually, it's quite easy. The same principle is expressed when one says, "if you touch a hot burner, you'll hurt yourself". There are consequences to certain actions and any human who has made it to adolescence is well aware of that.
The problem, as I see it, lies in the approach to abstinence education. First, you're talking to middle schoolers (or younger). Speaking on behalf of the boys, they are people who for the most part can't absorb any warning of danger because they're too busy covering their boners. "Would you like to come up to the class and solve this math problem"? = "Show us that tent you made in your pants". Forget it. Besides, these adults are stupid to think their "fire and brimstone" approach to sex education will ward off promiscuous behavior. By vilifying sex, they make it something secret, something dangerous, in other words something young people gravitate towards.
I guess it shouldn't surprise me that loads of people still adhere to puritanical values concerning sex education. Of course it's difficult and weird to talk to a child about sex. But that's not their problem - it's ours. I've always found that children know a hell of a lot more than you think they do about everything (especially middle schoolers and especially about sex). The same parents who allow their kids to watch MTV will flip out when their kid comes home with a sex education pamphlet.
For a society that prides itself on accomplishment and progress, we certainly have a regressive approach to sex education. There is nothing wrong with being open and honest about sex and it's consequences. To think that there's a way to prevent children from experimenting only leads to further problems.
Here's another problem I have - abstinence only supporters claim that by speaking frankly to kids about sex makes them want to do it more. By handing out condoms, we're somehow enabling children to turn into horny zombies. Trust me, there is no way you could possibly make a middle school boy want sex any more than he already does. These supporters claim they are "protecting" their children. But how can you protect someone from something by telling them to just ignore the problem? There are actual ways to help - condoms, birth control, discussion, etc.
Well, I've been on my soapbox long enough. Use a condom, don't think it'll work 100% of the time and stay in school. Oh, and don't do white drugs.
posted by Infused Confusion at
12:20 PM
4 Comments:
I'm a person who believes in handing out condoms in school and being honest with kids about sex from a very early age. Sadly, I am also living proof that people who are very open about discussing sex aren't always doing it on a regular basis. :)
Good post, Patrick.
By
Copy Editor, At
2:44 PM
Back in college, one of my professors hit it on the nose: The U.S. is the most puritanical nation in the world.
Nowhere does this horrible truth rear its ugly head more often than in the issue of sex. We seem to like to think that if horny teenagers don't know about sex, they won't do it. Or worse yet, if they don't know how to protect themselves, they just won't have sex. Then we're surprised when our daughter comes home knocked up. Humans have been having sex since before the beginning of recorded history. Do you really think you can block millions of years of instinct by just telling them not to?
I really want to jump on the soapbox and get ugly with all those "abstinence-only" morons out there. But this comment box is small, and it's making me sleepy. Suffice it to say, it's naive to think abstinence-only education will work. People are going to have sex whether you want them to or not. Blocking condoms and birth control will only scare them from using these methods to protect themselves when they start having sex.
By
Mr. Burns, At
4:29 PM
I am not a fan of abstinence-only programs, except for say if a church or mosque wants to run one on their own. It's my opinion that in a perfect world in would not be up to schools and all parents would have discussions at an appropriate age about what sex is and why it is best to wait. Obviously, the next best thing is to protect yourself, but with the knowledge of the possible consequences and responsilities.
Of course we don't live in a perfect world, so what I think on the subject basically means jack squat. =)
By the way, the last time I checked, even Planned Parenthood says in their commercials that the best way to prevent STD's or unwanted pregnancy is to not have sex.
By
cmo, At
5:39 PM
I agree. Abstinence is the best way (hell, the only 100% sure way) to prevent STDs or pregnancy. But like any other form of contraception, it only works if you use it.
By
Mr. Burns, At
6:31 PM
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home