To abstain or not to abstain? Seems like everyone has their own answer to this question. The educational system is doing most of the answering for us. There are two types of proposed programs that are floating around; abstinence-only programs that teach kids that abstinence is the only good choice and a comprehensive sex education, which acknowledges sex as a premarital behavior and provides safety information. Telling kids all the dangers associated with sex and saying the only way to survive is by not having sex is blatantly wrong. It is denying kids information that can save their lives. Sex education needs to encompass every aspect of sexual relationships, acknowledge that people do and will have sex, and provide them with the tools to make informed decisions.
[...] She and other advocates for abstinence-only education, point out valuable statistics for the decline in teen pregnancies. Washington, D.C . In one year, teen pregnancy rates also have dropped, from 20 percent to 1.1 percent.” (Napier). These are very good statistics, where these abstinence-only programs are situated, it looks good when the pregnancy rates drop. a West Coast abstinence program, cut the number of teen pregnancies in the San Marcos, California, school district from nearly 150 a year to just 20.”(Napier) It is hard to refute these claims, and these are good points which are brought up. [...]
[...] In approximately 1880, there was a document translated into the English language that sparked in America, a campaign against venereal disease (Carter, 215). The people felt that the best way to fight venereal disease was by educating the citizens. But there were certain reservations by people in teaching the children about sex. chief danger was always presumed to be that sexual knowledge would somehow transform itself into sexual activity.”(Carter, 216). None the less, by of high schools across America had some form of sex education. [...]
[...] However the difference in teenagers using contraceptives wasn't significantly different from more traditional teacher- led sex education programs (Stephenson, 345). This is a great start to improving how sex is taught to young teenagers. It is obviously a much more comfortable environment when teenagers are taught by other teenagers just a bit older then they are. This increased comfort level, as apposed to teacher taught ex education, provides more possibility for getting questions answered. Much more information can be passed on this way and the children are comfortable learning it. [...]
[...] If these abstinence programs don't do this, then it seems that protecting the children from STDs isn't really a main goal. Other advocates for abstinence explain that abstinence is what parents want for their children, it is what their underage children should be taught in their schools. “Most parents want their school-age children to remain abstinent and the educational system should establish these same sexual standards (Seagren). Parents say that good morals and good values dictate that sex should wait till marriage, together with the fact that the government proclaims that premarital sex can lead to psychological problems (Seagren); this gives valid support for abstinence-only educational programs in school. [...]
[...] Greenhaven Press Reprinted from Kristine Napier, "Chastity Programs Shatter Sex-Ed Myths," Policy Review, May/June 1997, The Heritage Foundation. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Thomson Gale March 2006 < http:> National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League. "Abstinence-Only Sex Education Cannot Reduce Teenage Pregnancy" Rpt In Teenage Pregnancy Ed. Mary E. Williams, Opposing Viewpoints® Series. Greenhaven Press From "The Need for Comprehensive Sexuality Education," by National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League, http://naral.org, February Copyright 1999 by National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League. [...]
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