Yes. Although the methodology could be improved to increase effectiveness, abstinence is the correct lesson for students to learn regarding sex. Encouraging minors to use contraception minimizes the dangers of sex and the need for self-control.
17% (85 votes)
No. Studies show that simply telling kids to refrain from having sex does not work. To reduce the number of teen pregnancies and STDs, students must learn about both the risks of sexual activity and how to protect themselves if they choose to have sex.
80% (389 votes)
None of the above. (Comment below.)
3% (13 votes)
Total votes: 487
Comments (62)
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Very nice article.
Somehow the subject of abstinence education versus "safe" sex education came up. "Abstinence-only" education, also called "abstinence-till-marriage," teaches about the emotional, social, and physical benefits of having sex only within a faithful marriage relationship. It includes teaching about the failure rates and unreliability of contraception in preventing STDs encourages promiscuous sexual activity as a natural part of life and teaches (explicitly) about contraceptive devices, how to use them, and where to get them.
Anonymous
students should know what to do if they have sex. They should always use a condom to previde pregenct.
Sex Ed
Let me offer the student's point of view. In my sex ed class we were taught abstinence and all about how horrible STDs were. The only way of preventing STDs we were taught was abstinence, the speaker did not even mention condoms or any other contraceptive. I had my first child a year after I graduated from high-school. I had no idea how to put a condom on a man until I was 21. The point is I was ill-informed as to how to protect myself. I think the best way to teach is to teach both methods. Children get into really tough spots and do not have the higher reasoning skills that adults have. I think a lot of us forget what our reasoning was like at 16 and 17.
The best and least confusing way to teach both is as follows: "Condoms and other contreceptives do significantly reduce the risk of pregnancy and STDs; however, the only way to ensure you protect yourself and do not get pregnant/get a girl pregnant is to abstain from sex." This is clear and consise and leaves no room confuse students. Should this be taught in elementary schools? NO!! All children of that age really need to know is...really nothing. From 6th grade on the education needs to be clear and free of religion and politics. At this point it is about getting the facts out and helping our children to protect themselves. After all, we enroll our children into Karate to learn to protect themselves from physical threats, what about this physical threat?
abstinence only education fails students
The Texas Freedom Network's "Just Say Don't Know" is a reputable source to check out. You'll be shocked by what your kids are being taught in school.
http://www.tfn.org/site/DocServer/SexEdRort09_web.pdf?docID=981
on sex
OK you have a point but some kids go out in the world unloved and when someone makes them feel loved for only a second they make mistakes. were only human and we faal in love and have sex. It's natural and beautiful.
No, i think this because me
No, i think this because me being a teen my choice to have sex or to be abstinent has nothing to do with my sex ed class. It really depends on who my friends are what my parents teach me and what type of relationships I have with boys. Im still a virgin but thats my choice and I think if anything sex ed should be teaching me how to protect m myself if i do plan on losing my virginity before marriage. I think sex ed should teach teens about risk behaviors and that although abstinence is best, if you can't do that at least be safe.
Education, even sex
Education, even sex education is not one size fits all. Everyone (even children!) need to be given options to decide what works best for them. Abstinence should be part of a larger curriculum that encompasses many choices.
When I was in high school I
When I was in high school I did peer education about alcohol. Through Allied Youth we told the truth about the effects of alcohol and the dangers. We also taught that most people who consume alcohol in moderation do not have major problems. We explained the law so we encouraged teens not to drink for that reason (legal age was 18 at the time)but we also explained about drinking responsibly and about having a designated driver. We even offer student/ parent contracts where they both signed and the student promised to avoid getting drunk but if they ever felt like they were, then they could contact the parent who would come and get them and deal with the issue the next day.
All of this was geared toward stopping or reducing teenage drunk driving.
Seems like a parallel program for teen sex is needed.
It didn't work 40-50 years
It didn't work 40-50 years ago, either. In fact, we have a lower teen pregnancy rate now than we did then. This is I'm sure partly to the ease of which condoms and other forms of birth control are available now. What's not talked about is also the resurgence of virginity. As a sex educator I am often surprise how many of my COLLEGE students are still virgins. Many say having the information helped them to make decisions and to resist peer pressure.
drugs and kids
Are you sure about that? I think that you needs to rethink your strategy a little but because both problems are very tempting to kids... The most important thing is educating them not to fall under the temptation... Maybe kids should be instructed on drug rehabilitation and maybe even taken to such a facility and learn by direct experience what can happen. They could also discuss the problem with the patients there.