Why do abstinence programs fail in practice?

Answer 1

Because if you don't present young people with facts they won't know the real dangers of unsafe sex (and no I don't mean that you will burn in hell for having sex outside of marriage). I think it's irresponsible to present abstinence as the only option for young people, and even though I am a Christian, I still think it's healthy for young people to explore all aspects of themselves before the commit to a lifelong marriage.

Answer 2

Do you mean abstinence from sex? Alcohol? Drugs? I think they all fail in practice because they're unrealistic. They tend to be prescribed by people with little understanding or sympathy for the draw to the substance in question.

They also tend to be absoluteist. That is, most sexual abstinence discussions don't include talk about other ways to...er..."relieve yourself." Not to be crude. Alcohol abstinence takes on a moral tone condemning anyone who ever has a drink to "jails, institutions, or death."

Reality involves dumb mistakes and poor choices. It involves times when you can handle a substance or activity and times when you're not so good at it. Abstinence programs have one solution for ONE problem taht behaves in ONLY one way even though problems with a substance or behavior come from a myriad of directions and are solved differently for every person.

They also assume that a) abstinence is best, b) based on a moral imperative. Who says sex outside of marriage is "bad"? If you don't believe that, and don't adhere to it wholeheartedly an abstinance program based on those principles is bound to fail. Who says you'll never be able to enjoy a glass of wine again after having a period of problem drinking? Same answer.

The end result of "failure" as described by such programs is often MORE indulgence in whatever made you feel guilty in the first place, which is REALLY pathological.

Answer 3

Imcadwell has the right idea. Abstinance programs give the impression of a solution, but an impression isn't the same as a solution.
Many parents think that if their kids are in an abstinance program they don't have to teach them sex education, so they often get pregnant or VD.
Studies have shown that the kids often get the wrong ideas as well. Large numbers of kids in the programs don't think oral sex is sex.

Answer 4

Sex is human nature. It is a natural and normal thing for two people to want to have sex. Most people just get caught up in the moment and completely forget the abstinence pledge they may have preached. It's afterwards that they realize what they have done.

Answer 5

abstinence programs work great for people you wouldn't want to have sex with in the first place. Our biological drive to procreate and have sex is a huge part of our lives.

Its okay to tell people not to have sex, but be realistic. Give them options like condoms.

Africa is a prime example of a huge failure of the catholic abstinence program. If mother Theresa handed out a few condoms to people it might have saved lots of deaths.

Answer 6

As since they cant have one hole they go for the other and call it abstinence. You know Holland has the lowest teen pregnancy rate in Europe even though the age of consent is 12.....a bit strange dot you think!!!

Answer 7

My abstinence program worked 100%! No pregnancy and no STD!

Answer 8

Because the youth of today are not taught early enough on that their bodies are temples. They are not fed the word of God daily. If you do not tend your sheep they will stray and are likely to fall prey to the wolf. They need to know sexual urges are natural but that the act of making love is something much too special to just do because you feel like you have to have it at the moment.They need to know they are not mature enough to handle the ramifications of their actions. Too many parents nowadays let their child be inundated with sexual imagery be it magazines, tv shows, music, whatever. All of it glorifies sex and they are not being given any religious messages at home to combat that with. The battle for your children's moral code is being lost a little at a time every day. if you do not constantly feed them positive religious morals, where then do you expect them to get them from. No one should have to ask where did my child learn that? You should give them a fighting chance. And most teenagers who are having sex are using it as an excuse to feel loved. If you ask them why they do it 9 out of 10 will say....because they said they loved me. Make sure they know they are treasured above all at home and loved dearly every day. In the final analysis, all you can do is give your child the right values and enough love that hopefully they will value themselves enough to wait.

Answer 9

the biological drive will always prevail over rationalism. Tell someone what they can't have will usually only succeed in making them want it more. Education about safety and birth control are the only practical solution. Everyone's going to do it (well, almost everyone), let them, but help them do it safely and properly. If there wasn't such a hang-up over teaching birth control in the U.S., there would be fewer abortions, less poverty, less welfare drain, less crime. Think about it. What would society be like if the people who SHOULD be raising kids were the ONLY ones having kids...?

Answer 10

definite, abstinence courses do fail. that's been wide-unfold in distinctive examine that abstinence courses do no longer shrink undesirable pregnancies or STDs. that's incredibly appalling that folk who sell abstinence courses and reject broader intercourse practise are additionally those that are so rabidly anti-decision. they are partly in charge for the unnecessarily extreme abortion cost. you will possibly think of that if combating abortions is a genuine undertaking they might clever up and allow shown intercourse practise courses to be utilized in faculties, somewhat of abstinence purely.

Answer 11

Because most simply say "DON'T", and they don't offer an alternative.

Jesus promised an abundant life, but most Christians don't pursue that, so they can't teach it to others. It's much easier to say "don't touch" and pretend you're doing well.

And face it, sex IS good, so abstinence is a tough sell. You better have something meaningful to replace it.