A new study from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy has identified an area of young adults who have been overlooked by prior campaigns: young evangelicals. The study found 80 percent of unmarried evangelical young adults have had sex. That is virtually the same (8 percent below) the national average. With a campaign infused with religiosity this year and all of the talk of “real America” versus urban America, the study challenges stereotypes.
The article below says that “Studies have not found that abstinence-only programs cut pregnancy rates, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), or even the age when sexual activity begins.”
However, last year, a study indicated some success from these programs. Here is what the Washington Post reported:
Only about a third of sixth- and seventh-graders who completed an abstinence-focused program started having sex within the next two years, researchers found. Nearly half of the students who attended other classes, including ones that combined information about abstinence and contraception, became sexually active.
Perish the thought that we could have a substantive debate on this question, but it would make for an interesting exchange.
Source: Think Progress
When my daughter was a teen she and her boyfriend (cute but dumb as a brick) left his house to go to the movies. The boys mother called me and told me that Kelly had left her purse and the “little brother had tipped it over” She had seen a … GASP…. prophylactic !!! Maybe I should have a talk with my daughter!
Kelly came home and let me tell you we did have a talkin’ to. The mother should never have found only a condom in her purse. The mother should have found at the very least four condoms.
Kelly knew my views were that she was too young for sex. I think all the aspects of a sexual relationship is too much for an immature mind. But I am not a fool and I knew that when they decide to have sex that a teen will have sex.
Abstinence is a good thing to stress Whether from moral or psychological grounds. And the biology of sex ed should be taught so they will know the ins and outs of sex (OK Now that wasn’t called for Jo)(Sorry)
But even the most religious kid will not forgo sex because Mom and Jesus say so, Sarah Palin.
Kelly as most teens do made up her own mind about sex but I taught her to ALWAYS be safe.
I….well…..i guess everything devolves to sex. Come on. As adults do you really think the time has come or is that just atributing a biological function to a non-biological dimension? it seems the subject of teen sex comes and goes over and over again. The discussion of older people having sex never seems to pop up. or come to our attention. In the coming years (usually before 70 or so I guess) we will be discussing geriatric sex alot more. I don’y know how old Elaine is but it could be she’s just waiting for her husband and doesn’t want to talk about his comings and goings. Don’t worry Elaine he’ll be coming soon and then you can tell Roco and me that we needn’t worry so much about coming events in your life.
Ya’ll make me laugh.
Elaine,
.
That was just wrong, wrong, wrong… Thank god I am I looking to replace this laptop…..
Coffee all over….
Roco,
I thought you were speaking of the Savior and Judgment Day.
Elaine:
have you talked to your husband about that?
Roco,
Some of us are waiting for the first coming.
😉
“Only about a third of sixth- and seventh-graders who completed an abstinence-focused program started having sex within the next two years, researchers found. Nearly half of the students who attended other classes, including ones that combined information about abstinence and contraception, became sexually active.”
From my recollection, this seems about what I’d expect on ratios for sexual activity at that age. But note the wording. The word is “focused”. I have no issue with a sexual education program that focuses on abstinence as long as that focus is coupled with actual sex education in re biological processes and information to avoid pregnancy and STDs if the students should choose to be active. A recommended course of action is not the same thing as an incomplete education. My recollection of sex ed. was along those lines of complete but recommending abstinence and it was at a secular public school. As I never got a girl pregnant or contracted an STD more serious than mono (which may or may not have been from sexual contact), I’d say that part of my education served me well.
Roco didn’t you hear about the rapture in May?
It did’t happen, you say??? Sure It did and there is now a silver alert for that one lil ole lady who disappeared in Iowa.
Raff, this is true of the teabaggers here in the south but the south is not the only part of the country with teabaggers or ignorance. The south is often focused on as the hive of ignorance of this country because of Hollywoodization and media one idea at a time attitude. We have a great deal of ignorance this is true, but look around you where ever you live. Look and you will see it. If you don’t see it you need to open your horizons. Some of the kindest people I have ever met (outside of my native NC) were from Duquesne PA. Bohunks Poles Eastern Orthodox Steel mill workers a diverse community but they were also the most racist. Openly racist at any rate. I am very fond of the people from the Pittsburgh area. But Ignorance abounds everywhere.
rafflaw:
can you provide links to that? I dont think they are true Tea Party people. I think they may be evangelical republicans. Those people scare me more than you progressives do, at least I know you guys arent waiting for the second coming. 🙂
Mespo, I apologies if I jumped to conclusions. I hear many slur aimed at Southerners so very often. I guess I am oversensitive.
Roco, So In Love by Cole Porter is a beautiful song. Yours was more appropriate in the situation but I love Cole Porter and you have cheered me up.
OS,
Mespo is a Southerner, but I am not sure that he was pulling our collective legs. He is correct that in many Southern states the Teapublicans are attempting to make birth control illegal.
Roco , Thank you for the Cole Porter Vid… The last four days have been very bad for me and But who can be sad during Cole? TY
Jo, Roco is right. Mespo was pulling somebody’s leg. He is a Southerner himself. Heh!
Jo:
well said.
Dont be too hard on Mespo, he is a southern boy born and bred I think.
You know how it is when you see kin acting badly, you want to distance yourself from the behaviour.
People are people around the world, we all have our faults and virtues.
Lets let Cole Porter suggest a reason:
Mespo, What statistics do you use to support your suspicion? The south is often shown as having a bunch of uncouth Goobers and it is sometimes true, especially in more rural areas. But having lived in Pittsburgh, Pa, North Platte Neb. Lake Charles, La. Alexandria, Va, Bethesda, Md Philadelphia, Pa and Beach Haven, NJ and being a native of southeastern NC. I have seen Ignorance, racism, teenagers out of control, Parents who have no idea how to raise their children. I have seen: Uncouth behavior, Tactlessness( especially from Philly) and all sorts of ill natured behavior from people in general in all the places I have lived. All Including my native state but no more than the other places I have lived. But it would be wrong to lump all yankees into the same category as you seem to lump all southerners. One thing that is true of most southerners that I have never seen up north is a duty of hospitality….. I have a respect for most of your posts here But it is galling to always hear the same prejudiced slurs.
I suspect the distribution of those teens having unprotected sex is disproportionally skewed towards Southern states where birth control occupies the same status as boll weevils. I used to want to travel abroad to visit the Third World. Little did I know I could have just driven south a few hours.
millions of years of evolution vs. abstinence training, kind of like Couture vs Walton.
Wham, bang.
I don’t have access to the link….But I have read that some do no.t consider oral……sex….this is one of the problems with warts and gonorrhea in the mouth….