Billed as the first rigorous research to show long-term success with an abstinence-only approach, the study released Monday differed from traditional programs that have lost U.S. federal and state support in recent years.This is an interesting study, in essence it found that abstinence makes sense when you teach kids how to think through the "pros and cons" instead of telling them how it is. Given some guidance, teens (and younger) can easily see that the benefits of sex (let's be honest, there ARE benefits) carry consequences as well. If they are honest, the consequences are almost completely negative if you are not married and especially if you are a teen (or younger).
What we see here is the difference between telling kids facts and having them regurgitate them for a grade on a test, and teaching them how to make logical choices that consider things fully. The biggest difference is that memorizing some facts on condom failure can't translate into anything else, but the skill of making a logical choice that is well informed can be utilized in many other areas. Imagine the social benefit when these kids use the same process to evaluate drug use, shoplifting, gang activity, or education choices. Even better, when we convince ourselves of something (such as sex before marriage is not a good idea) we are more likely to modify our behavior.
We shouldn't be surprised that when schools teach character building in place of static information we see what we should see, better choices. The down side of this is that the same holds true when liberal "safe sex" ideas are taught along with the same "pros and cons" method. When the information provided is biased, it is much harder for the choice to be wise.
How do we battle this? Several ways, those of us who actively parent our children can help them both in character building and getting the facts straight. This might not be as easy as it sounds, sometimes it feels wrong to say that having sex has benefits, but the truth is the truth. You have to have the courage to be frank about the subject or they will stop listening.
As citizens we can insist that our tax payer funded schools present unbiased facts. We can vote in school boards that insist on avoiding agenda based education (whether it is religious or planned parenthood).
We can be frank in discussing things with youth we are around (sports, scouts, church, family, etc.) and encourage responsible choice making, knowing the skill can translate in to other areas of their life.
Sources (take your pick):
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,584519,00.html?test=latestnews
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100201/ap_on_he_me/us_med_abstinence_education
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/02/02/health/main6165752.shtml
Great Post!! This is good news. Maybe, this will decrease the unwanted pregnancies rate? I think that there should be an all around approach. While I disagree with "safe sex" teachings, I think that teaching a broad spectrum of choices will help teens to make better choices on their own. I don't think shoving it down their throats is the way to go. But, I don't discourage parents to promote their particular approach with regards to sexual relations and their particular gudelines that they wish that their child/children to follow. I think there can be much less preachy ways of guiding kids with regards to sexual relations.
ReplyDeleteI would say that parents SHOULD guide their children on sex. The public education system acts as if it is unbiased, but in truth the teacher is a person and all people have bias. The biggest failing in our country is giving our kids over to the public education system (IMHO).
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