Abstinence Assumptions
My internet connection has been acting up recently and I have been unable to figure out what is the problem after analyzing the signal, I am receiving low signal when Windows says I have “Excellent” Signal. Any ideas? I received another email from MoveOn.org the other day detailing Planned Parenthood’s own version of the Bush-McCain Challenge:
It’s an excellent video but given Senator McCain’s “moderate” status, I was surprised that he supported continuing to fund Abstinence programs in America that do not work. There have been extensive studies done on the subject but let me add my own comments. It hasn’t been that long ago that I cannot remember High School but I would describe the changing sexuality of teenagers around the world as inevitable, I cannot imagine such changed reversing at any point regardless of any program. The best way as advocated by Planned Parenthood and many liberals is sex education while making the pill available over the counter at a reduced cost to teenagers. Many people object to this because they believe it helps to promote sexual promiscuity however given the current levels of such activity, it is better to be proactive as opposed to reactive.
Taking the bus into Dublin sometimes, I am often amazed at the language used by kids in the 14 - 18 bracket and cannot imagine myself using that kind of language without my mother informing me that I needed to find another location to live. Times are changing for the better or the worse but it’s no time to pursue antique ideals, instead, a progressive approach must be taken in dealing with the changing nature of how teenagers interact in the 21st century. The most comprehensive Abstinence research study I could find has been undertaken by Mathematic Policy Research Inc:
As with the four programs in this study, most Title V, Section 510 abstinence education programs have been implemented in upper elementary and middle schools. In addition, most Title V, Section 510 programs are completed before youth enter high school, when rates of sexual activity increase and many teens are either contemplating or having sex. Findings from this study provide no evidence that abstinence programs implemented in upper elementary and middle schools are effective at reducing the rate of teen sexual activity several years later.
I am not saying Abstinence programs are a terrible idea but funding for the program increased by $27.8 million dollars in this financial year. Given the overwhelming evidence that it does not work, why throw away all that money? Republican’s accuse the Democrats of spending without thinking but this amount of money defies scientific evidence to date. Abstinence programs should be funded equally in conjunction with sex education programs to better prepare young people for the twists that this side of life can bring. From an older 2002 report by the AIDS Research Institute:
The $102 million currently being spent by the federal government on abstinence-only programming is designed to serve social and political goals, rather than produce solid public health outcomes for young people. Not only is there no credible evidence that these millions of dollars have any positive effect, there is reason to be concerned that young people who receive abstinence - only curricula in school will not have the tools to protect themselves in sexual situations.
The key as mentioned in the above paragraph is that Abstinence and Sex Ed. programs are there to promote the health of young people today yet given the lack of any concrete evidence that abstinence has helped the youth today, is it not time for an alternative approach?
June 15 2008 12:25 pm | American Politics
June 15th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
I’m not in any way a progressive, Crian. I’m sure that doesn’t come as a shock to you. LOL! My children are all grown but I have friends with children, friends who attend church with me. Their children are active in the church and I can truly see the difference between those children whom I know are being raised with values and morals and those who aren’t. The moral fibre in this country has gone to the dogs and I place the blame of it on the drug culture and the media, which of course includes the internet. Children are exposed to too much far to early in life. Is there even a period where children are innocent anymore? One has to wonder. So what’s the answer? I don’t believe it is to encourage them by handing them condoms which many of them don’t use anyway according to what I’ve read. Neither is it healthy for young girls to be going on the birth control pill. One side affect of the pill is a serious increase in weight gain. Yes, it’s better to gain weight from fat than from a baby, but obesity is also a problem. There are also other side-affects besides weight gain. Without instilling morals into our children this problem is only going to get worse. I doubt there is an answer because there will always be people who have no morals and so we will always have pregnant teens. I just think the approach that is being used by liberals only makes the problem worse, not better. What I do know is that kids need better role models than what they have today.
Regarding your computer, shut it down completely and unplug it from the wall. Be sure to unplug it from the wall so there won’t be any static electricity in the cord. Leave it unplugged for five minutes then plug it back in and turn it on. It sounds like you may have dropped a “bit”.
If that doesn’t work you need a “geekier” geek than me.
June 16th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Hey Gayle, I didn’t think you were progressive as most would term the word but I would definitely call you a progressive republican perhaps? I totally agree with you that the period of innocence for children has changed drastically with too much exposure to drugs, sex and other societal exploits.
Part of me wishes for a more traditional approach towards maintaining a moral standard for the youth of today however the liberal part of me believes that a moral degradation is inevitable and that perhaps society reforms its moral base every so often.
For example, I heard my first swear word when I was 14 however most kids these days hear that kind of stuff when they are 6+ I would think.
I am not sure where the solution lies but the combination of stron parental guidance and a firm faith would be a big help.
Thanks for the computer help Gayle, I am going to try just that.