Posted by Morbo
Everyone knows that teenagers should not have sex. Hell, plenty of adults probably should not have sex, but there you have it.
Evolution has provided us with a powerful sex drive. Getting those genes out there and propagating the species is the name of the game. The problem is, we don’t want kids in that game. We want them to wait. How best to do that?
Well, we could try “abstinence-based” programs. The theory behind this model is that, if teens are told often enough and loudly enough to just refrain from sex, they will refrain from sex. For good measure, some abstinence programs toss in another incentive: Jesus/the pope/L. Ron Hubbard/the Rev. Sung Myung Moon/[insert favorite religious leader here] don’t want you to have sex, so don’t.”
These programs don’t teach about birth control. They do not mention that there are devices that, if used properly, can prevent pregnancy. The thinking is that if teens are told these devices exist and are even shown how to use them, they will say, “Great! Let’s get our hands on these devices, use them and have sex now!” and start doing so, perhaps right in the middle of the street. Somehow, teens deciding to have sex anyway and not using the devices that prevent pregnancy (and disease) is seen as the better option.
So, do these “abstinence” programs work? Not really. As The Washington Post reported today, “Ten state evaluations, compiled by a group that opposes abstinence-only education, showed little change in teenagers’ behavior since the start of abstinence programs in 1997.”
What works best, studies show, is a sex-education program that stresses the importance of abstinence but that also acknowledges that there is such a thing as a condom in the world.
Nevertheless, Congress has just passed legislation increasing federal funding for abstinence-only sex education. $131 million was allocated. This is $100 million less than President George W. Bush wanted but still a $30 million increase over last year.
Welcome to the revolution.