 Abstinence Only Programs?, What's your take? |
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MDF3530  |
 Posted on 03-Sep-2004, 05:10 PM
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Celtic Guardian
Group: Celtic Nation
Posts: 7,290
Joined: 30-Jul-2002
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Realm: Midlothian, IL
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Do you believe that abstinence-only sexual education programs, like those espoused by President Bush, work?
My belief is that they do not. I think educating abstinence is good, but it doesn't go far enough. Children, and especially teenagers, need to learn about contraceptives as well.
A statistic that is routinely ignored by abstinence-only advocates is that of all college students who make "virginity pledges", more than half of them have broken it. Moreover, those who broke the pledge were less likely to use contraceptives.
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Mike F.May the Irish hills caress you.
May her lakes and rivers bless you.
May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.
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| Roisin-Teagan |
Posted on 07-Sep-2004, 08:24 PM
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a ragamuffin of Eireann
Group: Ireland
Posts: 735
Joined: 25-Jul-2003
Zodiac: Elder
Realm: South Louisiana
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I voted yes...because abstinence should be taught to our children just as we should teach them it is wrong to steal, murder and lie. It is a moral issue, eventhough everyone doesn't obey the laws we still have to teach right from wrong.
I had the imfamous talk with my son when he turned 12. Yes it was a bit hard the first five minutes, then we started to dialogue. You have to listen to your kids and how they feel, but at the same time you need to make sure that you are communicating with them and not just preaching or dictating at them. My son is now 14, and we just had another talk about sex and the temptations young men face today (believe it or not). I told him about his personally responsibility to himself and to God. I also told him that the decisions he makes to today will affect the rest of his life. In addition, I told him that God has a destiny for his life and to make sure before he makes any life changing decision to pray and make sure he is doing what he knows God wants him to do.
In my opinion, to allow the schools to give our kids sex education without the moral dialogue and laying out the moral consequences is very dangerous. Your giving the children the blueprint for sex without the manual. Parents need to take their responsibilities of parenting their children serious---do the job God gave you to do! Quit waiting on the government or some non-profit to do it for you!
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Roisin-Teagan
"There, in that hand, on that shoulder under that chin---all of its lightness delicately balanced and its strings skillfully bowed---it becomes a voice."---Rich Mullins
"At 18, if you have oversized aspirations, the whole world sees you as a dreamer. At 40, you get the reputation for being a visionary." ---Rich Mullins
"God gives the gifts where He finds the vessel empty enough to receive them."---C.S. Lewis
Éire go Brách!
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| celtica |
Posted on 08-Sep-2004, 02:18 PM
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Lady of the mists
Group: Brittany
Posts: 466
Joined: 22-Jan-2004
Zodiac: Oak
Realm: Brest - Brittany
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I think warning them of the danger of sex doesn't mean to encourage them to do it.
I can be sure of myself, not of the others, so because I'm not sure they will be strong enough to resist, I prefer that if they have sex, it's safe sex.
I can explain sex is not a game, not just for pleasure, it's something that must be done because a strong feeling exists between two persons.
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Que restera-t-il de notre sang mêlé au sel, sans trace dans les mémoires ? Une ultime navigation, trompeuse. Et des souvenirs, illuminés d'embruns. Mais condamnés au silence de la mer... Loïc Finaz.  |
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| ErikDeckers |
Posted on 04-Oct-2004, 01:27 PM
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Celtic Guardian
Group: Founder
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Joined: 02-Aug-2004
Zodiac: Oak
Realm: Orlando, FL
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| QUOTE (Irish Stepper @ 03-Sep-2004, 07:47 PM) | | I'd rather take the approach of "I honestly hope you don't decide to do this, but if you do, or even when you get married, here's what you can do to not get her pregnant or catch any STD's." |
The abstinence only program would not cover any of that. They would never approach the "if you do" question. That's why there are more unwanted pregnancies and STDs in students who were taught in the abstinence-only programs.
Let's face it, religious morals aren't taught in the schools anyway, and they shouldn't be (what do you do when the religious morals differ from YOURS?). That should come from you.
Morals should come from the home anyway, regardless of what the schools teach.
Don't like the literature curriculum? Teach your own and make your child read extra books of your choosing. Don't like the fact that there's a Halloween dance? Have an alternative activity. Don't want your kids to learn about contraception in sex ed? Tell them, "Your teacher may have told you how to use this, but I don't want you to ever have a need to use it." Then don't let them get into a situation where it's an option.
We're going to raise our own children to be abstinent. But at the same time, I don't want them to get caught up in their own passions and not know what they can do to prevent me from becoming a grandfather at 46. I've known plenty of Christians who did not follow the abstinence only lifestyles they professed, and paid for it later.
Think of it this way, if you teach a person gun safety, that doesn't mean you're encouraging them to go out and shoot people. But instead you're teaching them not to accidentally shoot someone, or themselves. Sex education is the same thing. You're not teaching them HOW to go out and have sex. You're teaching them not to ruin their own lives, or the lives of others.
Erik Deckers
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[color=blue][b]Erik Deckers Visit my weekly humor blog Laughing Stalk[COLOR=blue] |
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| maryellen |
Posted on 26-Oct-2004, 09:09 AM
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Celtic Guardian
Group: England
Posts: 344
Joined: 20-Sep-2003
Zodiac: Hazel
Realm: Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
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I would like everyone to remember what the motivation is behind Planned Parenthood and other such programs that promote contraceptives. Money!
Why are businesses opposed to abstinence? Abstinence makes no money. Abortions make money; Selling condoms, pills, sponges etc. make money. OBGYN's make money when you go to them so that you can have your "freedom" to have sex.
I put freedom in quotes because I don't call being afraid of AIDS, STD's, etc. while having sex "freedom". One monogomous relationship is true freedom- any time, any where, and no worries.
Also, I do not think we should measure success by "pregnancy rates" and "STD rates". You can ruin your life and commit great regrets without ever becoming pregnant or getting one STD. This is risky behavior with or without contraceptives. What should be #1 is your attitude toward respecting yourself and others. But our culture promotes a "me, myself and I" feel-good attitude.
I know there are holes in this message, but it is what I think. And it is in the minority. Thank your for respecting my opinion.
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Seize the time,. . .live now, make now always the most precious time. Now will never come again- Star Trek TNG
"The report of my death was an exaggeration."
-Mark Twain, After reading his own obituary, June 2, 1897
If you ever have a world, plan ahead, don't eat it! - Star Trek TNG
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