Do you think teaching abstinence in place of comprehensive sexual education works? Some people might say yes, but it appears that even "evangelicals" are feeling the burn of denying children the right to know about their bodies and reproductive systems. Also, the state of Tennessee is introducing two new initiatives that may force the concept as the only type of sex-ed available to students.
In regards to the Tennessee initiative, this source mentions just how asinine it is to rely on an abstinence only curriculum when it comes to educating those who aren't in the know. This does not prevent pregnancies or STDs in sexually active teens and adults and it also prevents younger children from reporting abuse, as they haven't been taught properly. Sexual education is a necessity in this modern world, not because "the liberals" are trying to sexualize young people. It isn't a political thing, and it isn't a religious thing. Or at least it shouldn't be, but too many people have turned this vital topic into some perverted and twisted debate regarding belief in god and whether or not it's good for "American values."
Is denying a young woman the right to know about her body a good example of values? The National Association of Evangelicals revealed a stunning fact that 80% of what they refer to as "young evangelicals" engage in premarital sex. The education of abstaining from sexual contact doesn't work when it is taught as the only option for young people. If anything this terribly stunted curriculum is more harmful for young people than the alternative of simply educating them properly.
Abstinence-only education is a War on Women
This is indeed a war on women, but it's also a war on people in general. Poorly educating children keeps them poorly educated for the most vital years that lead into adulthood. This whole thing can just be added to the attack on a woman's right to choose what happens to her body, and it keeps some men on the wrong page as well. Perhaps more people will realize that this type of education is more harmful than helpful.
Crime analyst and profiler Chelsea Hoffman can be found on The Huffington Post, Chelsea Hoffman: Case to Case and many other outlets. Follow @TheRealChelseaH on Twitter or click here to contact Chelsea directly.
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Comments: 26 ( 13 removed by Chelsea Hoffman )
Wouldn't they have to teach them what to "abstain" from?
I don' see where teaching them that the safest method is to abstain, is the same as teaching them that it is the only way to be protected at all!
You claim abstinance does not stop pregnancy and STD's??????
Seems like it is the only foolproof way to prevent both!
Unless you know of some way to have virgin births, and catch STD's by walking down the street.
I am a bit old, and may have missed that medical update!?
I was highly educated about war but was also taught not to start them!
Why would it effect females only?
If the females all say no (as they did in my day), who would the males have sex with?
Your entire premise in based on huge distortions, and a lack of even the basic information regarding anatomy, biology, logic and thought!
This is the first post I have visited.
If it is any reference to the quality of "big stories" I may be wasting my time, reading utterly non-sensical rubbish.
Was simply responding to the comments you, yourself, made in this article.
No one has to "google" things that are already proven fact.
This is nonsense.
Why not address the points I brought up, and make a feeble attempt to dispute them?
Is it your normal method, to attack anyone that disputes your silly non-fact based comments?
Your meagar attempt at me insulting is pretty weak - give yourself 50 years (if your picture is accurate), and you may learn a few things.
At least you will learn if you change your attitude.
Sorry I read your idiocy at this point, I won't bother you again, brat.
And I thought this might be a nice site to keep up on facts, and debate ideas.
:)
By inferring I was uninformed and needed to google, to have a basic knowledge of the topic at hand?
That is the ultimate in insult to me, young lady.
I will not bother to address you again.
But you should be thankful you are not my Grandaughter.
Goodbye.
Why? What does that mean? You'd beat on me or something? Id just call the cops and have them deal with it. ;)
You made an uninformed post and I responded by telling you the keyword to "Google" because your post was simplistically uninformed. The internet is not hard to use, and educational resources are out there. Why make a post full of uninformed questions and comments if you're going to become instantly offended and "get the vapors" when someone points out that you need to research what you're talking about?
Maybe you bully down your grandkids to avoid correcting you when you're wrong, but I'm not your grandkid. If you can't handle that, maybe you should take up knitting, or even spending more time with your actual grandkids, instead of cruising articles and making uninformed comments and then getting angry when you're addressed appropriately.
Just a word of advice. Thanks for reading.
P.s. Making comments like "you should be thankful you're not my granddaughter" -- are actually rather abusive and threatening.
If I had made a statement "you are luck you're not my grandmother" -- how would you take that? Granted, my surviving grandmother is intelligent and knows the difference between "abstinence only education" and "sex-education with abstinence in the curriculum" so she and I wouldn't be having this conversation. She'd also figure out how to research something before making assumptions and rant-like comments that only further perpetuate the misunderstanding of the discussion at hand.
teen birth rates have been heading down steadily over the past few years. It's because of an increasing willingness on the part of teens to use contraception, not because of abstinence. It's a good thing! If you are old enough to make the decision to act like an adult by having sex, you are going to have to also be old enough to behave like an adult in terms of having RESPONSIBLE sex, and only having a baby if that is your plan.
No harm in teaching it as an option, but if that is all they teach, they better add a good parenting class and a Living with HIV class.
I don't have a problem with abstinence being a part of sex-ed becase everyone should no the only safe sex is no sex until you're with one person. Yes.
but we also ALL know that "abstinence only" isn't effective.
i am making one comment, and will not respond - there is no point.
however i would ask you all at least consider the following quote from cookie.
Tennessee Bill SB 3310/HB 3621 "defines "family life education" as an abstinence-centered sex education program that builds a foundation of knowledge and skills relating to character development, human development, decision-making, abstinence, contraception and disease prevention.
note - abstinence centered not abstinence only.
note foundation of knowledge and skills ..............abstinence, contraception and disease prevention.
if a person is taught abstinence only - it would be contradictory to teach them about contraceptives and disease prevention!!!!???
ok - bring on the attacks, and name calliong etc .....
or act as censor and delete me.
hopefully at least one person will see this and connect the dots.
Del, if anyone on Gather needs to be censored, it is the people who call others names and ridicule them. Big difference than arguing their point, which I believe you do.