Why does Bush want to continue with abstinence only sex education?

Question

When it is of no merit?

NEW YORK (Reuters) -- The dramatic declines in teenage pregnancy rates noted in the United States between 1995 and 2002 were largely due to improved contraceptive use, not to abstinence, a new study shows.

FDA and not Bush approved the morning after pill.

Answer 1

Because he's in denial.

While abstinence may work 100% of the time, people don't abstain 100% of the time, and the chain is only as strong as it's weakest link, which is human willpower!! It's akin to saying smokers simply shouldn't smoke, and things like the patch shouldn't be made available. But that's the ridiculous position of the religious right.

Unfortunately kids are already having sex- the horses are long gone from that barn. Even though we PREFER that they don't have sex, they NEED to be educated about all the risks, not just a "don't do it" approach that leaves them ignorant and possibly pregnant, or infected with STDs. Teaching them about sex doesn't glamourize it, it does the opposite- makes them more likely to be responsible adults. While abstinence should be encouraged, it's foolish to bet on that as your only line of defense.

In young teens, willpower and judgement fail more often than condoms.

Answer 2

Pure example of how dirty politics are.The reason is no other than that this is a small thing he can actually deliver for his religious right base.On many other topics like abortion and other issues he gave them nothing but empty promises.By holding on to abstinence only sex education he can still claim he's looking out for the interest of the Christian coalition which he clearly is not.He wanted and needed and used their votes but ridiculed their leaders in private.
Pure tactical political reasons,tactics over morality.

Answer 3

He has a hard time facing reality whether it's sex education, stem cell research or the war in Iraq. I agree that contraceptive use is much more effective than abstinence.

Answer 4

I have heard this abstinence only alot in the past few years. If they are just teaching that, then it is dumb. abstinence is the safest, then safer sex.

Kids are going to be kids, they need to know about safer sex also. If not you have what is going on in africa, with AIDS

Answer 5

Abstinence is a pipe dream, it is not going to happen, education about birth control is vital to our society, especially our young people.

Answer 6

Simple, because, for genuinely moral reasons, he believes that abortion is not an acceptable method of birth control - and contraceptives don't belong in our elementary schools. It may or may not be a realistic approach, but neither is it an approach that one should be criticized for.

Answer 7

Just because he is in denial about the fact that if people are going to do it, no matter how much you tell them no. Matter of fact they are more likely to rebel if you do tell them no. It is natures way that humans was put on earth to propagate and nobody can deny that this drive is stronger then all others. Even the human mentality is subjective to this drive. People are going to have sex regardless. Bush Denys this.

Answer 8

Bush supports both abstinence & contraceptives.
What's wrong with that?
The Democrats are against abstinence and make fun of it.
They support contraceptives.
Why not be for both?

Answer 9

Because the better choice is to let parents teach sex ed, and since the liberals won that one, this is the next best alternative.

Abstinence education includes discussion of consequences of sex, and that is probably why so many liberals oppose it.

Answer 10

Because that is the ONLY method that works 100% of the time. If they abstained they wouldn't need improved contraceptives and there wouldn't need to be a new study.