Abstinence programs versus sex education programs?

Studies can be tilted towards what the people who do the studies want them to be. It is more then just teaching the kids in the schools to say no but it also the parents responsibility to get involved with what the kids are listening to and watching.

k1

While there is nothing wrong with teaching abstinence as an effective way of avoiding unwanted pregnancies, we know from the last 5,000 years that people will have sex frequently regardless of the culture's marriage customs. A good education about the subject, including STDs, abortion, birth control, family planning, responsibility etc from both the parents and the school systems is probably the best defense.

Of course education is better than just telling kids "no". At least by telling kids what it is all about and telling how, if they do choose to have sex, they can be safe. A teenager is old enough to be able to make an informed decision, and anyone who has ever been a teenager should know that constantly being told "Don't do that" without a decent reason why is more likely to do it. Education about the risks etc that are involved is the only way to really help.

To tell a teen (or an adult for that matter) to "just say no" is not sufficient, has never been sufficient and never will be sufficient. To illustrate, when young people turn to selling drugs, telling them to just say no to such conduct is wholly inadequate; they see the money they can make. Particularly is this so if they are grindingly poor and can quickly relieve some of this poverty.

The human sexual drive is a powerful thing. To facilitate the satisfying of it by means of sex education does not benefit the teen. Education and abstinence go hand in hand. There will be no true abstinence – either with teens or adults - without the proper education. So a person should be educated, yes. But not educated in how to "safely" enjoy all the sex he wants – which is really what sex education teaches – how to practice sex with impunity and without responsibility. A person should be educated as to the many reasons he should abstain from having sex outside the bonds of marriage and he should be taught the real benefits of such abstinence. Those who have been taught to "just say no" haven't really been taught anything. They certainly have not been taught why – from God's perspective – they should say no. So they don't say no.

Sex education merely teaches one how to "practice" safe sex. Bible education teaches one why he ought to control his sexual urges; the benefits of such; why it is wrong outside the parameters of marriage and why doing things God's way is always the better course of action.

Contrary to popular belief, all teenagers do NOT have sex. And contrary to popular belief, all adults are NOT practicing fornication. The old saying "everybody does it" is a lie. Some people have been properly educated and benefit from it everyday.

Hannah J Paul

Education is absolutely better. I can understand parents not wanting their kids to have sex, I am a parent myself. But what I can't understand are the parents who don't want their kids educated and prepared. It makes no sense. It's almost like setting our children up to fail for when they do have sex, because we all know they will eventually. Teaching abstinence alone does nothing but set young people up to fail.

Bush & his supporters (some of which are religious extermists) work in the interest of thier twisted sick religion - not the publics best interest.

Thier prudish attempt to censor anything remotely beautiful or sexual has spawned a campaign of misinformation & lies.

In a romanticized notion of keeping children as dumb & innocent as possible - society allows itself to be led by people whos superstitious delusions take precedence

over your childs well being.

I think education is better, as long as it's not promoting which is what my school district does. I have a 13 year old cousin (girl) who is learning different ways to have "safe" oral sex. I do not want my child hearing this, I am one of the parents who will talk to my child and teach them so I don't want to school telling them that putting plastic wrap on your tongue is a good safe idea (true story)

Look, these kids are going to have sex whether you tell them about it or not. Wouldn't it be better to provide a safe way for them to do it.

I was one of the few kids that didn't seem in the least interested in having sex with some high school dude, I was never going to see again. I think it is also as important that parents express their desires to their children in an non-forceful manner. Like saying, "I wish you would wait, but if you choose not to at least protect yourself." You know, nice, understanding words like that could help deter some teenagers.

Education goes a long way. Teach some one and they know for life.

Tell them to say no and the chances are it will last till the weekend after they've had a few drinks.

Some things are human nature and it is better to accept that, and plan accordingly.

Sex is the most natural thing in the world, there is also an incredibly strong, innate, instinctual desire to fornicate. A hormonal teenager isn't going to wait till they're married or older, arming them with knowledge and protection is the smartest thing to do.

They're going to have sex anyway, I did.