Do you think there is a connection? (abstinence only)?

I would have to say: yes. It's the same as promoting abstinence in African countries by the Catholic Church when what they really need are condoms and sex education. We have seen the devastation in Africa because of faith-based initiatives. Also, the AIDS/HIV rate has gone up in teens ages 14-19 in the U.S. since 2001. See the connection? It is irresponsible and unreasonable to teach abstinence. Even if you're religious, how many of you actually abstained? Really. I understand that abstinence is preferable and I do understand why but not for sinful reasons. I want my stepson to feel that he is emotionally prepared, that he has the right information and yes we did buy condoms and tell him how to use them (he is 15) and also I want him to be prepared in the event of a pregnancy. It's a lot of responsibility when you decide to have sex but I'm not about to throw him to his physical or emotional death to push abstinence on him.

Absolutely. Yes, there are real consequences to encouraging ignorance. The "abstinence only" programs teach that condoms are "unreliable," as part of the message that only abstinence is foolproof; result: teens just have sex without condoms. And it's a huge lie - as contraception, condoms have a 98% effective rate. Not only that - there have been studies that show that girls who take the "abstinence pledge" are several times more likely to engage in oral and even anal sex! You know, as long as they reserve regular vaginal intercourse for the wedding night. It's crazy. Pseudo-"religious" priggishness is just a dodge for dealing with reality, and it defeats its own purpose, because it's bad psychology.

Definitely.

Bush's policy is like refusing to teach fire safety because it might promote fire setting.

Honestly, sex is a natural urge, no different than the urge to eat, sleep, or defecate. There's appropriate and inappropriate places and times for all of those, but obviously you don't tell your young child to stop defecating completely, you tell him to do it in the toilet. Same thing with sex.

Bush is quite religious - for instance he supports ID. Did you know he had the CDC remove condom advice from their web site.

He is basically fundamentalist as his acions have shown, and fundies are dangerous at the best of times.

Yes. Teens are going to have sex. We would be better off teaching them how to be careful. Free condoms would help too.

Maybe on the surface they are "teaching" abstinence, but there could be a subliminal message underneath it all.

Hard to argue with the statistics (unless you happen to be a Bushie-fundie, but then again you probably never studied statistics).

Again...the problem is poverty. Perhaps the money for the program you have mention should have gone into social programs. it just shows that the youth are hopeless. That is very sad.

Edit: 2 thumbs down??? Really???

YOUR Disrespect for President Bush.... is only superseded by YOUR.... Surpassing IGNORANCE [ Def. Un-Informed]

There are MANY Studies... some good and some... very Bad!

ONE THING FOR SURE..... "Those Practicing ABSTINENCE... WILL NEVER.... Have ANY of the STD'S = Sexually Transmitted Diseases = LISTED ON THE CDC.GOV.... Site!"

THEY.... will Never Die... From.... SEX RELATED..... "AIDS!"

Now.... how can...... Any LOGICAL person.... Argue With..... THOSE FACTS.....?

Thanks for NOT Asking ! RR

Thats because head knowledge alone doesn't change the behavior. Truth has to make it to the heart first.