Monday, November 14, 2005

Abstinence vs Comprehensive sex education

Abstinence Educators Call for GAO Investigation of Government Spending on Comprehensive Sex Education

Read story here

So, what do you guys think about this issue?

This is what my thesis is about, so I have a great deal of knowledge on the topic...

I want to hear opinions before I jump in...lets get the comments going again!!!

10 comments:

Jim said...

What is the goal to be achieved?

1) Fewer abortions?
2) No sex before marriage?
3) Avoiding STIs?

Which is better?
1) More sex and fewer abortions
2) Less sex and more abortions?

The Game said...

My first comment will be...

There are two main goals of sex education:

1. prevent teen pregnancy
2. cut down on the rate of teens contracting STD's

The simple answer is: whichever method is best at meeting those goals, that is the correct curriculum

Anonymous said...

Ultimately, a comprehensive program is the only one that will have a definitive impact. Parents are too distanced from the reality of education for teachers to find the ones that a single program wont reach. Added to the increasing density of classrooms, and teachers just cant handle the load. they should be able to customize aspects of the program to fit the class, but are too handcuffed to ever manage that. Thats why the program needs to be varied, and intensive so that every student can be reached.

Also, parents need to understand that school isnt a fucking a la carte line. You enroll in a school, you get their curriculum. There is no opting out because you disagree with whats being taught.

The Rhyno, Parent

Jim said...

Game,

We agree!!! So far... :-)

The Game said...

I don't like it when a parent takes there kid out of class....it has only happened once to me...when I used to teach elementary gym....two girls who were training for the olympics got out of gymnastics in gym class (they were training for swimming). I made them write a long paper on gymnastics and they had to write out how to perform all the moves.

As far as the varying systems...there is more credible research done showing that the comprehensive (abstinence AND contraception) gets kids to practice safer sex. That is not a overwhelmingly fantastic statement. The abstinence programs get kids attitudes to improve in the short run, and they delay sex about 9 months longer, but then when they do have sex they are less likely to use a condomn...so....

Thats it for now...lets get more comments on this topic

Google HiJacked My Site said...

I also thought the point of abstinence, besides avoiding STDs, was to prevent teen pregnancy? There is a larger moral reason. Saving yourself for marriage - I know, no one does that anymore and that genie is way out of the bottle. I can't even claim that prize.

But, it seems to me that if we don't instill in our kids a sense that they are special and not common, they will fall prey to the first line that's dropped on them. They shouldn't ever feel pressure to "give in".

Our kids sense of "special" should come from the parents and extended family. If we expect the schools to teach these lessons then we failed as parents. I'll never trust a school system to impart moral codes to my kids. That's my job.

Anonymous said...

Quite right, EH. Religious morality has no place in the education system. Abstinence may be a part of contemporary Christian doctrine, but it has salient education benefits, as well. For that reason, anyone protesting abstinence education isnt worth listening to. Ditto for those who only want abstinence.

The Game said...

republicans in wis. are about to pass a law that makes it manditory to atleat mention abstinence..what do you think about that...

and EH...are you saying you don't want teachers reinforcing abstinence message..

or are you saying you don't want any sex ed taught?

just trying to get more out of you guys...good talk.

Jim said...

Game,

I still think we are on the same page. I have no problem at all with sex education programs advocating abstinence. It's still the best way to prevent pregnancy and STIs. It's also, in my opinion, a better moral course.

But airbags and seat belts are in cars just in case. We wouldn't remove them from our kids cars and tell them to just drive slowly and safely. No matter how safe they drive, there's always the drunk driver in the other car.

The Game said...

Yes Jim,
We agree here. Abstinence should be a strong part of a curriculum...and that also includes dating lessons, self esteem lessons, goal setting, ect...

I just wouldn't feel right, however, if I didn't give some information on constraception...60% of my kids will have had sex during high school. Abstinence should be presented as the best, and most effective way to prevent pregnancy and STD's, but ignoring 60% of the kids is not right either