Abstinence Alone Should Be Taught In Schools

Additional research has explored the effects of abstinence based programs on actual behavior outcomes. Kohler, Manhart, and Lafferty (2008) compared the effects of abstinence-only and comprehensive sex education programs, operationalizing effectiveness in terms of initiation of sexual activity and teen pregnancy rates. They found that teenagers who received comprehensive sex education rather than abstinence-only or no education were significantly less likely to report a teenage pregnancy. In addition, their conclusions mirrored Sather and Kelly (2002), finding that abstinence-based programs did not reduce the likelihood of engaging in sexual activity. Kohler, Manhart, and Lafferty (2008) actually concluded that comprehensive sex education was more likely than abstinence based to reduce the percentage engaging in sexual activity. Overall, the researchers showed that comprehensive sex education, including but not limited to contraception, did not increase the prevalence of sexual activity in teenagers or the risk of teen pregnancy, while also showing the that abstinence only education produced a higher likelihood of pregnancy.

According to advocatesforyouth.org, “abstinence only education teaches students to abstain from sex prior to marriage.” These program has been proven to be ineffective. Abstinence only education is ineffective because it is not conducive in reducing teen pregnancy rates and sexually transmitted diseases rates. Abstinence only programs are less likely to teach students about birth control and contraception and how to access it. These programs has not been shown to reduce teen sexual activity.

Abstinence teaching only is not effective when trying to prevent STIs in teenagers. According to "Life123" (2012), ”While abstinence-only education programs have the support of many major national religious groups, a comprehensive sex education program in schools has the backing of a wide range of educational and medical organizations. Most proponents of comprehensive sex education argue that teens should be encouraged to abstain, but should also get information about contraceptives, sexually transmitted diseases, and how to prevent HIV” (Family).

According to the article 10 Arguments for Abstinence: Pros and Cons of the Abstinence Debate published by ThoughtCo, the rate of teen pregnancy and teen birth rates has declined and hit a record low, and there are two opposing views as to the reasons why: abstinence vs sex education (including contraceptive information and HIV prevention). This article looks at 10 arguments in favor of abstinence. I have summarized several of the strongest arguments as follows:

First of all, in 1996, the government of the United States of America approved a law giving money to states that offered abstinence-only courses in community or public schools. Since this period, more than a million dollars has been provided to states to indorse abstinence-only curriculums and to receive the funding, schools have to reach an agreement to adhere to a strict set of rules. For example, the students attending the class must be told that there is a likelihood that they will likely catch some type of disease if they have sexual intercourse before marriage.

This option is Abstinence and it will reduce both teen pregnancy and STD’s all together. Abstinence is the encouragement to not have sex till marriage or until you are absolutely ready and informed. Abstinence in high schools will not only save millions of lives but will reduce the percentage of babies being born by teenagers around the age of 15-19. Young women around the world will be more focused on school and less on raising their newborns.

In both cases, Abstinence-only education did not direct them, in any way, to abstain from sex (Valenti). Therefore, given that so many teens will not desist from sex, effective sex education programs have the responsibility to help teens to be aware of the risks and consequences that come along with sexuality, like early pregnancy or STDs (Alford). Such effective programs should employ personalized interviews and follow-ups for each student and parents; as well as committees including doctors, psychologists, pediatricians, and real young people with shocking experience as a teen

Reports display that abstinence-only curriculums do not decrease sexual intercourse by adolescent students. The United States Division of Health and Human Services publicized a report of abstinence curriculums. The authors revealed that conclusions from the study provided no indication that abstinence curriculums applied in elementary and middle schools are successful in decreasing the rate of adolescent or teenagers having sexual relations. Actually, teenagers did not benefit from all of the work and the millions of dollars that have been used into these curriculums. An additional study by Peter Bearman of Columbia University shows that over eighty-five percent of middle and high school students who vow to remain virgins until

When we began this project, I was against the idea of abstinence-only programs. I had a similar mindset to those who argue for comprehensive sex education and against abstinence programs. I thought they were a waste of time and ineffective. After reading the articles though, I learned there are teens that the abstinence programs actually work for. I was surprised to see too, that there were quite a few articles arguing for combination abstinence and comprehensive sex education programs. I now feel that this is the best answer for sex education for teens. It gives them the best of both worlds. They are taught that staying abstinent is the best thing for their bodies to

When I was in the eighth grade, I remember attending a sex education course. At the young impressionable age of fourteen, I listened quietly as the lecturer showed us grotesque pictures of sexually transmitted infections and warned us that abstinence was the only effective way to not get pregnant. At the end of lecture, everyone at the assembly was handed a little card that read, “Virginity Pledge” and we were all required to sign them. Looking back on this memory, I am appalled by the severe lack of scientific foundation of the lecture, the use of misinterpreted statistics, and the use of peer pressure in requiring students to sign pledge cards. Many students my age probably have a similar experience with this type of sex education, which is referred to as abstinence-only sex education. Students deserve a better sex education than what the abstinence-only sex education programs provide. Abstinence-only sex education should be removed from all U.S. schools and replaced with comprehensive sexuality education.

This is a fact confirmed by the CDC (“About Teen Pregnancy”). It is also a fact that teen pregnancy continues to decline every year at an incredible rate. This could definitely be due to sex education and the availability of birth control without parental consent. Janice Shaw Crouse wrote about a D.C. area study which shows that abstinence programs have been effective. This data showed that girls in this program were seven times less likely to engage in sexual activity than girls that were not in the abstinence program (“Birth Control” 115). This proves that abstinence can help in the fight against teen pregnancies and the spread of STD’s. I do agree with this being a great tool in this fight yet, it will not keep our kids safe. Some of our kids will still choose to be sexually active and we need to prepare them for this choice.

Sexual education like sexuality itself is often a taboo subject. While researching the topic, it benefitted me the most to understand the goal: to argue for better sexual education. When my team first suggested sexual education as a topic for research, it brought up many connotations and questions. Awkward. What will my parents think? How will the class react to the media presentation? However, as my understanding of the issue increased so did my appreciation for having chosen the topic.

Anyone who wishes to pass on information to another person, similar to the work that teachers do, will always delve into the information they feel is most important, but what is truly important can be perceived in many different ways. The safety issues that arise with abstinence only education are numerous. Young adults will not know anything about the action itself let alone the precautionary steps that every person should take before engaging in intercourse. It is almost impossible for teens to know the countless risks that threaten them when a condom is not in play. As well they have no idea how permanent a lot of those risks are. In abstinence only education it can only be hoped that they have heard something about sexually transmitted diseases, or pregnancy rates in relation to sexual activity and if they have this almost always would be very surface level information. With this situation being setup young teens, who will no doubt face their sexual urges during a very dynamic time in their bodily development, will then go in blind and act on impulse rather than accompanying their urges with cautious thought. Sex education

Abstinence reduces teen sexual activity. Adolescent and Family Health found a 67% increase for abstinence of the decline in pregnancy rate for teen girls ages of 15-19. In the article it also states that the Journal of Adolescent Health attributes 53% of the decline in pregnancy rates for 15-17 year olds decrease sexual activity. Abstinence is the best solutions to decrease the rates of pregnancies and sexual transmitted diseases. Abstinence has an enormous decline rate in pregnancies

Self control is a very important skill in life. This skill is especially important in face to face interaction. It is important to teach responsibility not abstinence because abstinence is only attained through successful responsibility. The cell phones being taken away in the classroom does not teach responsibility with technology, or how to use it wisely and have self control with it. “We didn’t ban pens in our schools because students can pass notes during class. The pencils have also survived even though you could poke someone in the eye” (Ormiston 5). The classroom is a great place for young students to learn about cell phone etiquette and how to learn to not only stay safe, but also how to use the cell phones when you can easily be distracted