Just Say Maybe

And just how many end up on the Welfare Rolls being paid for by taxpayers?

It's far too simplistic to say that teenage pregnancy is on the rise because of the federal abstinence-only programs. How about the loss of intact families to teach children about moral values? How about all the sexually-charged advertising to young children and teens? TV portrays casual sex as the norm. It's no longer taboo to have pre-marital sex. At this rate, we'll be having private rooms to have sex at school, since the philosophy seems to be "well-they-are-going-to-do-it-anyway-so-let's-provide-them-with-a-safe-place-to-do-it."

I disagree with the statement that abstinence only programs don't work. I think the author should interview someone who is a advocate of abstinence-only programs and look at their statistics. Why do people assume that teens cannot control their sexual urges and, therefore, we shouldn't try. We discourage them from drinking alcohol or doing drugs and assume that they can abstain from these things.
Why do we assume that they can't refrain from these activities but have absolutely no control when it comes to sex?

Interesting how we just HAPPEN to have higher birth rates when we teach abstinence only programs. The issue is that the Bush administration is so ignorant to the fact that no matter what happens, you can't prevent someone from having sex if they have the intent to. They really do need to incorporate education about contraceptives to schools, as well as education about their reproductive anatomy. Teaching people about how easily STDs can be transmitted and ways to help prevent the transfer of STD's is only going to help us. If anything, I would expect it would lead to a decline in both teen pregnancy and STD's. Luckily, I had parents that were open to answering questions and teaching me about sex, which was a lot of the reason I waited so long...but honestly teens need to know that abstinence is not their only option. Wouldn't you think that education on contraceptives would lower abortion rates too? More contraceptives, mor access to them, let pregnancies and less STDs.

R_Josephine, you are an idiot. Condoms will not prevent the spread of AIDs 100% of the time. They might help, but they are not fool proof. Right wing politicians have little to do with the ignorance of today's youth. Maybe, you should look at the parents lack of parenting, and geez, even hold the kids responsible for their actions before you go and blame George Bush for the ignoance of the American public. But hell, I'm afraid responsiblity and accountablity are virtues that this country abandoned long ago. A belief only strengthend by reading your nonsensne. Oh, and since I'm sure you're going to claim I'm a right wing education professional (something a good deal of time in college has taught me doesn't even exist) the answer is no. I am neither.

R_Josephine, you are an idiot. Condoms will not prevent the spread of AIDs 100% of the time. They might help, but they are not fool proof. Right wing politicians have little to do with the ignorance of today's youth. Maybe, you should look at the parents lack of parenting, and geez, even hold the kids responsible for their actions before you go and blame George Bush for the ignoance of the American public. But hell, I'm afraid responsiblity and accountablity are virtues that this country abandoned long ago. A belief only strengthend by reading your nonsensne. Oh, and since I'm sure you're going to claim I'm a right wing education professional (something a good deal of time in college has taught me doesn't even exist) the answer is no. I am neither.

R_Josephine, you are an idiot. Condoms will not prevent the spread of AIDs 100% of the time. They might help, but they are not fool proof. Right wing politicians have little to do with the ignorance of today's youth. Maybe, you should look at the parents lack of parenting, and geez, even hold the kids responsible for their actions before you go and blame George Bush for the ignoance of the American public. But hell, I'm afraid responsiblity and accountablity are virtues that this country abandoned long ago. A belief only strengthend by reading your nonsensne. Oh, and since I'm sure you're going to claim I'm a right wing education professional (something a good deal of time in college has taught me doesn't even exist) the answer is no. I am neither.

R_Josephine, you are an idiot. Condoms will not prevent the spread of AIDs 100% of the time. They might help, but they are not fool proof. Right wing politicians have little to do with the ignorance of today's youth. Maybe, you should look at the parents lack of parenting, and geez, even hold the kids responsible for their actions before you go and blame George Bush for the ignoance of the American public. But hell, I'm afraid responsiblity and accountablity are virtues that this country abandoned long ago. A belief only strengthend by reading your nonsensne. Oh, and since I'm sure you're going to claim I'm a right wing education professional (something a good deal of time in college has taught me doesn't even exist) the answer is no. I am neither.

R_Josephine, you are an idiot. Condoms will not prevent the spread of AIDs 100% of the time. They might help, but they are not fool proof. Right wing politicians have little to do with the ignorance of today's youth. Maybe, you should look at the parents lack of parenting, and geez, even hold the kids responsible for their actions before you go and blame George Bush for the ignoance of the American public. But hell, I'm afraid responsiblity and accountablity are virtues that this country abandoned long ago. A belief only strengthend by reading your nonsensne. Oh, and since I'm sure you're going to claim I'm a right wing education professional (something a good deal of time in college has taught me doesn't even exist) the answer is no. I am neither.

R_Josephine, you are an idiot. Condoms will not prevent the spread of AIDs 100% of the time. They might help, but they are not fool proof. Right wing politicians have little to do with the ignorance of today's youth. Maybe, you should look at the parents lack of parenting, and geez, even hold the kids responsible for their actions before you go and blame George Bush for the ignoance of the American public. But hell, I'm afraid responsiblity and accountablity are virtues that this country abandoned long ago. A belief only strengthend by reading your nonsensne. Oh, and since I'm sure you're going to claim I'm a right wing education professional (something a good deal of time in college has taught me doesn't even exist) the answer is no. I am neither.

For al those that think abstinence education is the answer:

As a college freshman and Catholic School Alum, I have seen first hand the effects of teaching abstinence or sex 'mis'-education. The fact of the matter is, young people have sex. Period. While abstinence is practiced by some, it never has and never will be practiced by everyone. It is absolutely unforgivable that the only info offered about contraceptives is their failure rates. It is absolutely unforgivable that a class-room full of high school female seniors are not aware that condoms prevent AIDs (as I witnessed my senior year). I blamed the miseducation I received when I had to accompany my friend to planned parenthood to take the morning after pill because she didn't bother to use a condom on her first time, because she had been taught they "just don't work."

Shame on the right wing politicians and out-of-touch educators who think they are 'informing' today's youth.
And, as always, shame on George Bush

under age sex is not right and abstinence should be taught correctly! If u are active you should get the person tested before sex

I think that it is kinda of funny if you look at the increasing number of condom usage among teens and the increasing number of std's and pregnancies and then you blame abstinence education. First off, Not all schools are teaching abstinence thoroughly. We are giving kids a false sense of security by giving them a condom or pill. Condoms provided limited protection if any against HPV, the leading std among women and Gaurdisill doesnt protect against all strains of HPV. Most birth controls are only 99% effective. Abstinence education is not about telling them just say no it is about telling them the truth and letting them know that there are consquences to the decesions they make. It is ultimately there choice but I would rather have them well informed with the truth about how sex can effect you as a person instead of giving them that false security in condoms and birth control. I challenge people to really start looking at the facts and look into some of the Abstinence programs. Check out indianarespect.com.

I think the "abstinance only" sex education is a load of crap. I am a 20 year old, un-married, sexually active woman, and I am going to school and I know that right now if I were to have a child it would be determential to my future. But my Mom was straight with me and told me what's what. I have taken measures to no get pregnant and I think that girls should know what is out there. Becasue Abstinance is the LAST thing on their minds when they get into that situation. And you can only tell them so much until they stop listening. They are going to do it wether we say to or not. So I think they should be properly educated about ALL their options. Not just the one that keeps the God fearing people and politicans happy.

excuse the spelling error in my last comment

Abstinence education works if it is done write. Through the schools we tell are kids they are not strong enough to control their sexual desire. We degrade them to a level of animals. "Don't do it, but when you can't control yourself her is a pill, a piece of plastic or an life altering procedure that will not only hurt you physically but emotionally and kills you baby." We need to give our kids more credit and not just assume they are going to "do it anyway!" So yes, abstinence does work if it taught write.

Does it not scare you that the Bush administration refused to supply condoms to Africans to slow the spread of HIV? Not only would it have been effective, it would have been cheaper. Instead, sex ed shows how "uneffective" condoms actually are. It is a lie to say that condoms are uneffective. When used properly, they are 98% effective. But our kids don't know that, because they've only been told about abstinence.

Young girls use sex as a way of feeling loved they feel that to have a connection with someone is to sleep with them. Girls always feel connected at that age vs. most boys that do not. To most men sex is sex and nothing more. To Girls sex is giving to that person a huge part of them selves that should be guarded and upheld as something truely sacred. A feeling of deprived attention or lack of love is usually the culprit. Sometimes its true foolishness or direct disobedience to hurt someone that has hurt them. Whatever the case education should start at home. It is your duty as a (good, loving) mother or father to teach your child about sex and how not to throw their virginity away to someone that does not deserve it. EVERTHING starts at home! If they didnt have such easy ways out of everything they do they would think twice about doing it. Its human nature to abuse anything if it lets us.

Parents should be teaching their kids about these issues, sharing, relating, educating...no government program will ever work, nor will giving teenage girls complete access to birth control pills and abortion facilities. If a teen gets pregnant it is the failure of the parents, not the government. Whatever happend to accountability for ones own actions in this country?