Abstinence Essay 4

In 1913, sex education became a topic that was found to be an important education tool. Since then, this form of education has been a hot and debatable topic among many Americans. The original reason for sex education classes was to reduce problems such as sexually transmitted illnesses and prostitution. In recent years, abstinence has become the focus of sex education curriculum. Abstinence means refraining from sex completely. Although, it is the only one-hundred percent way to prevent sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies, abstinence-only instruction should not be the only form of sex education taught. Our youth need to know about all aspects of sex. This intails how to protect them if they choose to become sexually

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.

Worrying about getting pregnant is a pain that everyone who is sexually active has to face, or should face. The question is, who does that burden of worrying about getting pregnant fall on. As evidence will show, women take most of the burden or responsibility when it comes to providing contraception during sex. Women have more invested when it comes to sex due to the consequences that result from failing to protect against pregnancy. Looking at the burden of contraception in four different ways, the time involved, the cost of birth control, the physical side effects of contraception, and the effect due to failure of contraception.

1) Abstinence, or preventing sex, is the best way to prevent HIV/STD and pregnancy because if you don't have sex then you don't need to worry about getting pregnant or getting a STD/HIV. Condoms or other ways to prevent it are not always a 100% accurate but if you don't have sex you don't need to worry about it.

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.

In 2011, 2.8 millions of 6.1 million pregnancies were unintended in the United States and 18% are unwanted (“Guttmatcher Institute”). Ending the common sex education teachings of abstinence as the key to not get pregnant, but not going into detail about other contraceptives can cause unexpected and unwanted pregnancies. Though this is not a direct policy change, it can contribute to decrease abortion rates that antiabortion states do intend to implement.

Who in here has heard of or even know what the term birth control is? According to medicinenet.com, birth control is the use of any practices, methods, or devices to prevent pregnancy from occuring in sexually active women. Today, I will be talking about a couple of methods of birth control which include: the pill, the patch, and the implant. Another method I will be talking to you about isn’t always considered a form of birth control, but it actually is; condoms. My goal today is to not only inform you of the many birth controls but to also encourage you to look at the pros and the cons of every method if you are using contraception. Birth control is a very broad topic with many alternatives which can impact your lifestyle in many ways, therefore you should consider these alternatives before applying any form of contraceptive into your body and find the method that works best for you.

What are contraceptives? When we say contraceptives we mean birth control, whether it be pills, or other methods. They are intended to prevent pregnancy none of the methods are 100% effective. The safest kind of sex is absences “no sex”. Let’s get real your going have sex before marriage,

Since the HIV/AIDS epidemic began in the U.S. in the early 1980s the issue of sex education for American youth has had the attention of the nation. There are about 400,000 teen births every year in the U.S, with about 9 billion in associated public costs. STI contraction in general, as well as teen pregnancy, have put the subject even more so on the forefront of the nation’s leading issues. The approach and method for proper and effective sex education has been hotly debated. Some believe that teaching abstinence-only until marriage is the best method while others believe that a more comprehensive approach, which includes abstinence promotion as well as contraceptive information, is necessary. Abstinence-only program curriculums disregard

My First thought that came to mind is that Abstinence is the cheapest method of birth control, and it is also the most effective method. Abstinence is when the person or couple enforced restraint from indulging in sexual activities. This is also the least effective method, which the end result is having a child. Which would make it very expensive. This is why it is considered less expensive for insurance companies and government to help with the cost of different types of birth control. The birth control pill has different options within the group of pills. Different pills have different side effects, and every woman’s body is different in how it will react to this form of contraceptive. The cheapest form of birth control is condoms and foam

1. Let me define the term abstinence. In general, it refers to the act of “postponing sex,” “never having vaginal/anal sex,” or "refraining from further sexual intercourse" whether one is still a virgin or already sexually experienced" (Santelli et al., 2006, p. 73).

Being abstinent when it comes to sex would only be a bit stressful when you’ve been sexually active before. If you’ve never been sexually active, then there’s a chance you’re curious, but you still won’t try it. Pregnancy and STDs also come with loads of stress.

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.

Programs that encourage abstinence have become a vital part of school systems in the US. These programs are usually referred to as abstinence-only or value-based programs while other programs are called as safer-sex, comprehensive, secular or abstinence-plus programs which on the contrary promote the usage of effective contraception. Although abstinence-only and safer-sex programs disagree with one another, their core values and stand on the aims of sex education is to help teens develop problem-solving skills and the skill of good decision-making. They believe that adolescents will be better prepared to “act responsibly in the heat of the moment” (Silva). Most programs that have been currently implemented in the US have seen a delay in the initiation of sex among teens which proves to be a positive and desirable outcome (Silva).

“I know abstinence is the only 100 percent way of preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases” said Debbie Sandland. ( Day, Brenda 1) This is an example that the majority of adults prefer abstinence only education and find it appropriate. Debbie believes that abstinence is the only way to prevent pregnancy and STD’s. Yes, it is true but abstinence is not the best method to teach students because abstinence only education is not based on science and sex education programs needs to be based on science, not political or religious dogma. (Tucker Cynthia B6) “By teaching them methods of birth control, I think we are giving them a false sense of security,” Barry said.(Day, Brenda 1) This is another example of majority of adults finding abstinence only education appropriate. In my opinion, we are not giving teens a false sense of security by teaching them about birth control. We are just teaching them that are different options and they might need to use those options later on in life.