Abstinence only programs are lacking in the education needed in contraception. Watching shows like Teen Mom where they are asked if they used contraception they almost always say no. They just didn't think it would happen to them. Or they thought that there's no way they would get pregnant after one time. These examples alone stress the importance of having a real sex education. During these sex Education classes it needs to be stressed the importance of contraception and how easy it really is to get pregnant. I mean In my High school, we had SO many pregnant girls. It was insane. We did have a sex ed. Program though so that doesn't really “prove that it works” or anything, but I still think it is important. I really just believe that they need to do a better job. Maybe even make the program longer so that they can explain how hard parenting really is and that all it takes is one time to have a baby.
I think that abstinence only programs have good intentions but they need to do more than just that. I personally think that High School age teens should not have sex. I think that they should remain abstinent until they are mature, and with a serious significant other. But these days, that's just not going to happen. I think that I would be most beneficial to incorporate abstinence into the sex education program but not exclude the contraception aspect. A combination of the two in my opinion would be the best.
I completely agree that abstinence should be taught, and I also agree that the reality of sex needs to be taught as well. That way, when people are mature, they have the option to make their own informed decisions, rather than believing it couldn't happen to them or that "just once" wouldn't be that bad.
ReplyDeleteThe abstinence only program of sex ed. seems to focus on preventing teens from having sex. And while that is the ideal, it's not going to "work" for everyone. The realistic focus should be on teaching teens to make safe, mature decisions, whether they choose to have sex as a teenager, or later on in life.