Abstinence Only Education & Why It Isn’t Working

It is no secret that the teen pregnancy rate has grown, along with the STD infection rate amongst our teens since Abstinence Only education has been increased in our country as the main form of sex education in schools. For over a decade, annually, and consistently the teen pregnancy rate decreased under the Clinton Administration, it was no secret why either.
There was an increase in funding for public programs teaching our teens how to prevent an unwanted pregnancy, and also learning how to prevent catching, and spreading STD’s.

Come the second term of the Bush Administration the teen pregnancy rates were starting to rise, and continued to rise as the abstinence programs expanded across the country, despite the repeated studies showing they do not work.

My take as a parent? Although my son’s are only on the verge of being 3, and a little over one, I still feel very strongly about the subject. I would much rather take the route of educating my boys (and girls if I ever have one) on how to prevent pregnancy, use a condom, what kind of birth control’s there are out there, etc. rather than telling them simply don’t do it and not giving them the tools to be safe if they choose not to listen to me as a mother.

Lets face it, are our children always going to listen to us? Of course not. It is unreal to think by simply telling our kids not to do something that is going to stop them. Nor will I be a hypocrite and tell my kids that sex is only for married people, because it is not something that I believe, and my oldest son was planned, and born before we got married.

What may work for one family, is not going to work for the next.

With shows like Teen Mom, and 16 & Pregnant, it is clear that the message of “Just don’t do it” isn’t working with our children, as that was the extent of sex education Teen Mom star Farrah got. And once she became pregnant, her parents hid her from her then boyfriend, and made her choices for her.

Let’s start doing right by our teens and cut out the funding for abstinence only programs, and use comprehensive sex education courses, which also include the option of abstinence, but also teach our children what they can do to protect themselves.

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4 comments

tags: abstinence, abstinence only education, education, sex ed, sex education, STD, teen pregnancy
category: Uncategorized

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1

By: Katie Twitter: @mommakt

You’re totally right.

I live in a small, rural Southern community. Abstinence is ALL that’s preached. Teenagers can’t get condoms, because the health department is closed once they’ve left school (and many business owners around here will not sell a teenager condoms, which is nutty), but they CAN go to the crazy Christian “pregnancy crisis center” if they’re knocked up and pick up some awesome propaganda. (My favorite is a pamphlet talking about how you should keep your rapist’s baby.)

Unfortunately, I don’t see comprehensive sexual education being taught in my area anytime soon. Our little community’s teen pregnancy rate is increasing, pretty drastically. I’d hate to see the numbers for STDs.
Katie´s last [type] ..What do you mean- you dont spank!

2

By: MotherUnexpected Twitter: @momunexpected

I agree with you whole-heartedly.

I long for the days that parents held someone accountable other than everyone else for the actions of their children. When I was growing up sex-ed was just starting to emerge, and I assure you that was not my only education on the matter. My parents sat with me early on and told me everything I needed to know. My less-than-stellar sex-ed class at school had very little to do with it.
MotherUnexpected´s last [type] ..Update- Pumping Nightmare

3

By: Doreen Lombardo Twitter: @deecampisi

I’m not a fan of abstinence only programs. I think they are unrealistic. I’m much more a believer in teaching proper sexual education and how to properly protect from disease and pregnancy. Teens have always been sexually active, from the dawn of time and they always will be. Years ago, with life expectancy only to age 30 or so, people were having children at very young ages. Somehow, religion was used to put a fear into people, make sex something ugly and demand it only be done within a marriage.
Doreen Lombardo´s last [type] ..Thankful Thursday

4

By: Ilana Twitter: @applecheeksdipe

I just messaged you on Facebook but I was in shock when I read your post. I recently finished The Abstinence Teacher by Tom Perotta and I truly thought it was some sort of tongue in cheek joke (great read, btw). I cannot BELIEVE the things that go on in that country of yours! Perhaps I’m really operating in the dark here in Canada as I am fortunate to be able to live in one of the world’s most culturally diverse and open-minded cities but seriously…?? Who the heck is going to be so silly as to believe that telling teens that they should refrain is going to have any kind of effect? I think these people must never have been teenagers.

Boy, did I learn something new today…

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