Abstinence for Adults

Shalome said:

Dude, seriously? You seriously think we need to spend that much money to tell adults that they can choose to not have sex?

We see young people coming back to clinics over and over again with the same sexually transmitted diseases," said former Surgeon General David Satcher, who served under President Bush and left the office in 2002. Satcher will appear today in San Francisco with former Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders.

"They have problems with sexuality," Satcher said. "We have a responsibility to make sure they have the information they need."

...

California is one of only a handful of states that rejects federal funding -- worth more than $7 million a year -- for abstinence-based sex education. Still, many private schools and some public schools in the state teach only abstinence.

Whether abstinence-only education works is up for debate. It's only been a national standard for about five years, which makes it difficult to compare with more than 30 years of comprehensive sex education that most adults who grew up in the 1960s, '70s and '80s remember.

Opponents of abstinence-only education argue that the curriculum leaves out important information on birth control and safe-sex options that teenagers and young adults need to protect themselves. It's illogical to assume, they say, that young people will abstain from sex into their 20s.

Under abstinence-only curriculum, students are taught that sex is never appropriate until they are married, and they are told that there is no effective way to protect themselves from pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Comprehensive sex education generally encourages abstinence, but also includes discussion of safe-sex alternatives.

Proponents of abstinence-only education point to continuing declines in teen pregnancy rates and abortions as evidence that that education tool works.

Opponents note that half of all pregnancies in the United States are unplanned -- a rate that's even higher among women in their early 20s. Plus, the country is facing a rise in STD rates, primarily due to young people not protecting themselves. The rate of chlamydia cases in 2004, for example, was nearly double what it was in 1990, and the largest increases are in people between ages 15 and 24.

Encouraging people to abstain from sex is fine, abstinence-only opponents say, but teenagers also need to be taught that if they're going to have sex, it's also OK to insist on using a condom.

Subrosa said:

Necia said:

There's no condom for a broken heart, Subrosa.

Save yourself for the one God has saved for you.

SpectreInTheUK said:
With the rate that STDs are spreading, I think it's a good thing....

AndersWolleck said:
why is it a big deal?

Overpopulation is a serious problem

Subrosa said:

But... but...

How do we know God hasn't saved like... 16 girls for me?

I'd like to think God wants me to be happy, you know. And what better way to make me happy then like... all kinds of unprotected premarital sex with multiple women*?

Necia said:

That's not how God rolls. Homie don't play that.








I mean, unless you're Mormon. Then that's totally how God rolls, aside from the "premarital" part. Awww, yeah.

ThisIsWhoWeAre said:

I'm 34, I get to fuck all I want! Woot!

Otoki said:

Um, wow. Ok, just so everyone is clear, ABSTINENCE-ONLY EDUCATION EXACERBATES THE PROBLEM. Aside from the aforementioned study in Texas, other studies have shown that AOE doesn't decrease sexual activity, but it DOES increas the rate of UNPROTECTED SEX. Awesome. Also, those who undergo AOE show an increase in oral and anal sex...WITHOUT PROTECTION. So, I definitely think that $10m is being well spent.

But what about all those loonies who think we should push for safe sex education, and promote condom use? Well, everyone knows condoms cause sex, just like umbrellas cause rain, so we definitely shouldn't promote protected sex along with abstinence. No no, that would give people the wrong idea.

I rest assured knowing the government is preventing unplanned pregnancies is the best way possible.

Otoki said:
condoms cause sex, just like umbrellas cause rain

oyaji said:

Show me a 25 year old that doesn't know that he or she has a choice.

Otoki said:
Oh, and Otoki's favorite bumper sticker:
CONDOMS ARE EASIER TO CHANGE THAN DIAPERS

Otoki said:
Well, everyone knows condoms cause sex, just like umbrellas cause rain,

Andvari said:
Teen sex increased after abstinence program

archon said:

I've just had this amazing thought!

Imagine if condoms really did cause sex! All anyone would need to do in order to get laid would be to find a suitable potential partner and then wave a packet of condoms in front of his or her face and thanks to the amazing aphrodisiac properties of condoms you'd be at it like rabbits in no time!!