Jesus_lol Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 came across this article earlier. "Florida’s bay area is experiencing a huge increase in STDs, with rates of infection among teenagers nearly doubled since the 1990s. It’s a statistic that doesn’t make any sense (didn’t we just hear that you guys are having less sex these days?) except that Florida is one of the many states that began teaching abstinence-only sex education about, oh, ten years ago. Wow, weird coincidence, huh? Most people would look at these stats and conclude that abstinence education—which has been criticized for, among other things, misrepresenting the effectiveness of condoms in preventing pregnancy and STDs—is neither effective nor educational. But for fans of abstinence education, not even an army of syphilis-infected 14-year-olds proves that their programs don’t work. Boy, would I love to be a fly on the wall at those school board meetings: Board Member #1: Bill, I just don’t understand it. We’ve had our abstinence education program in place for ten years, but kids are still doing it! Board Member #2: I know! They’re… they’re… sexing each other! All the time! Board Member #1: I mean, what more do they want? We told them not to do it! Board Member #2: We did! We told them specifically not to sex each other! It’s like they aren’t listening. What are we supposed to do now? Non-Clueless Board Member: Maybe we should expand the program to include some information about condoms. Board Member #1: No way. Are you crazy? You know what will happen! First you show them a condom, and the next thing you know, they’re running all over the place with their dingles and hoo-has hanging out! Slightly Less Clueless Board Member: Dingles and… do you mean “penises” and “vaginas”? Board Member #1: I will not tolerate language like that at this meeting! Slightly Less Clueless Board Member: But those are the scientific term— Board Member #1: Enough! Look, how about this: let’s just go back out there and tell them not to have sex with each other. Except this time we’ll say it, like, really loud. Board Member #2: Great idea. Really, I don’t understand why they’re having such a hard time with this. Just don’t have sex! That’s it! How hard is it to just not have sex? Board Member #1: I don’t get it either, Bill. Abstinence isn’t so hard. I mean, my wife hasn’t had sex with me in years." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hassan Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 [quote name='Jesus_lol' post='1905077' date='Jun 29 2009, 02:43 AM']came across this article earlier. "Florida’s bay area is experiencing a huge increase in STDs, with rates of infection among teenagers nearly doubled since the 1990s. It’s a statistic that doesn’t make any sense (didn’t we just hear that you guys are having less sex these days?) except that Florida is one of the many states that began teaching abstinence-only sex education about, oh, ten years ago. Wow, weird coincidence, huh? Most people would look at these stats and conclude that abstinence education—which has been criticized for, among other things, misrepresenting the effectiveness of condoms in preventing pregnancy and STDs—is neither effective nor educational. But for fans of abstinence education, not even an army of syphilis-infected 14-year-olds proves that their programs don’t work. Boy, would I love to be a fly on the wall at those school board meetings: Board Member #1: Bill, I just don’t understand it. We’ve had our abstinence education program in place for ten years, but kids are still doing it! Board Member #2: I know! They’re… they’re… sexing each other! All the time! Board Member #1: I mean, what more do they want? We told them not to do it! Board Member #2: We did! We told them specifically not to sex each other! It’s like they aren’t listening. What are we supposed to do now? Non-Clueless Board Member: Maybe we should expand the program to include some information about condoms. Board Member #1: No way. Are you crazy? You know what will happen! First you show them a condom, and the next thing you know, they’re running all over the place with their dingles and hoo-has hanging out! Slightly Less Clueless Board Member: Dingles and… do you mean “penises” and “vaginas”? Board Member #1: I will not tolerate language like that at this meeting! Slightly Less Clueless Board Member: But those are the scientific term— Board Member #1: Enough! Look, how about this: let’s just go back out there and tell them not to have sex with each other. Except this time we’ll say it, like, really loud. Board Member #2: Great idea. Really, I don’t understand why they’re having such a hard time with this. Just don’t have sex! That’s it! How hard is it to just not have sex? Board Member #1: I don’t get it either, Bill. Abstinence isn’t so hard. I mean, my wife hasn’t had sex with me in years."[/quote] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VeniteAdoremus Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 You can and should teach abstinence, but lying about one thing to promote the use of the other isn't going to help or convince anyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil Red Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 +J.M.J.+ the reason most abstinence only programs don't work is because they are secular - divorced from any mention of God and how He created us and our bodies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sojourner Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 [quote name='Lil Red' post='1905176' date='Jun 29 2009, 09:06 AM']+J.M.J.+ the reason most abstinence only programs don't work is because they are secular - divorced from any mention of God and how He created us and our bodies.[/quote] That was exactly my reaction to the article. There has to be a "why" behind the "don't do it" and most programs can't provide that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolmom Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 That doesn't work very well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatherineM Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 Abstinence worked for my boys. I simply never let them out of my sight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregorius Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 [quote name='Terra Firma' post='1905178' date='Jun 29 2009, 11:08 AM']That was exactly my reaction to the article. There has to be a "why" behind the "don't do it" and most programs can't provide that.[/quote] Yup. I went on a school retreat a few months ago where a few students from Catholic U. came in and talked about abstinence. It was horrible. It was like walking into a brood of vipers. While the students weren't the best people to explain it, most of the audience did not even [u]want[/u] to listen. And I go to a Catholic School.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desertwoman Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 We are human, and we are going to fall no matter how much we say not to do something, and how much we would be dissapointing God. Many people have fallen to the flesh (David for one), so teach no sex, and also teach condom usage as a good back up plan cause that one moment of lust could cost a little ones life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouisvilleFan Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 [quote name='desertwoman' post='1905243' date='Jun 29 2009, 01:09 PM']We are human, and we are going to fall no matter how much we say not to do something, and how much we would be dissapointing God.[/quote] I hear this line of logic from a lot of people... even Catholics, though I realize you are not. We need to recognize that when we equate sin with humanity, we are walking down a road that denies the Incarnation. If you can't be human without being a sinner, then Christ was either not God or not human. And the implications affect all of us when it comes to how we aim and work to live our lives. [quote name='desertwoman' post='1905243' date='Jun 29 2009, 01:09 PM']Many people have fallen to the flesh (David for one), so teach no sex, and also teach condom usage as a good back up plan cause that one moment of lust could cost a little ones life.[/quote] You can't teach both... when a teenager is taught that there's an "acceptable" option that allows them to get their rocks off without the complications of responsibility and bringing human life into the world, guess what they'll choose? Teenagers can be chaste if they are among people who support and live out chastity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Church Punk Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 [quote name='desertwoman' post='1905243' date='Jun 29 2009, 01:09 PM']We are human, and we are going to fall no matter how much we say not to do something, and how much we would be dissapointing God. Many people have fallen to the flesh (David for one), so teach no sex, and also teach condom usage as a good back up plan cause that one moment of lust could cost a little ones life.[/quote] You can't teach both. What they need to do is teach the whole truth. Not just say that sex is bad dont do it. What they need to make them understand is that when they parttake in having sex it is the most powerful force they can can imagine, the power to make life. So it needs to be respected. With the great power comes great reponsibility, and they need to assume that responsibility every time they choose to have sex. So it makes sense that this act is reserved for marriage where it is supported in mutual love by the husband and the wife. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nihil Obstat Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 [quote name='Gregorius' post='1905234' date='Jun 29 2009, 11:03 AM']Yup. I went on a school retreat a few months ago where a few students from Catholic U. came in and talked about abstinence. It was horrible. It was like walking into a brood of vipers. While the students weren't the best people to explain it, most of the audience did not even [u]want[/u] to listen. And I go to a Catholic School....[/quote] My Catholic high school is/was like this too. I got so frustrated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resurrexi Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 Teenagers are going to violate the Sixth Commandment regardless of what anyone teaches. Even devout Catholics are guilty of fornication sometimes. That said, we cannot support the use of artificial contraception, since artificial contraception is always wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent Vega Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 (edited) It's worked for me so far. But, think about it - if one surveyed all of those kids with STDs, and asked each one 1.) if he knew what a condom was, and 2.) if he knew how to use one, what do you think the percentage of either category of kids who answered 'No' would be? If the percentage of either was less than, I don't know, 90%, I'd be really shocked. Edited June 29, 2009 by USAirwaysIHS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesus_lol Posted June 29, 2009 Author Share Posted June 29, 2009 like it is with motorcycle gear, dress for the crash not for the ride. obviously you shouldnt crash while driving, but if and when you do, you should know how to protect yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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