Why is abstinence still taught today?

Question

Centuries of teaching "keep it in your pants" followed by failure to do so has proven that we simply can't just "keep it in our pants".

It has been proven that sex is healthy within a relationship and the body even requires sexual relief regularly. Even without manual relief, natural functions result in loss of male "seed" and eggs even more often.

So why is abstinence still taught as a method of birth control and STD when it clearly does not work and can even be unhealthy?

Correction: "...method of birth control and STD prevention when..."

Perhaps the way I wrote that was incorrect - what I meant was, teaching abstinence does not work, the fact that there are still 14yo catholic boys and girls running around having sex despite being educated at school, church and home not to shows this.

I think I'm missing my point. What I mean is abstinence should not be taught as the only acceptable birth/STD control method. Some people realised that's what I meant. You other people, thanks for the full blown rants.

Answer 1

because many people believe that you should wait till your married to have sex. just because many people fail to practice abstinence doesn't mean that it shouldn't still be taught. after all it is the most effective form of birth control and some people actually listen.

Answer 2

Catholics are not the only ones who call for abstinence, just the most popular to pick on.
Teaching abstinence does work. The loosening of society's morals and all the sex currently in the media probably have a lot to do with the increase of teen sex. Also mixed messages given by parents-- don't have sex....but if you do use this. (If I was told not to have a piece of cake then given a fork I think I would be more likely to eat the cake.)
Don't blame us because you were not clear. I leave what I said because it is truth.
Actually you are incorrect---Abstinence is the ONLY 100% effective method of birth control and the only 100% effective method of STD prevention. (when it is used) If you don't have sex you don't get pregnant or get an STD. It is not unhealthy not to have sex.

The problem is that many don't actually practice it. Many people do "keep it in their pants" even today.

For the people who choose not to---they should be taught to use other methods of protecting themselves.

Birth control is widely available as are condoms. Young people have easy access to both and have no real excuse for not attempting to use them.

Have you thought that it could be the new lax attitude toward sex that has increased the amount of young people having sex. (or made us more aware of it) Everything is much more permissible now than ever before. The more people actually engaging in sex = more people getting pregnant or STDs--common sense.(even if everyone is using protection)

Answer 3

Abstinence is still the ideal outside a committed relationship, and I think it says a great deal that this is coming from a rather sexually liberated (read: twisted) gay satanist/atheist (I follow the teachings of the Church of Satan which is an atheistic organization).

The best way is, in fact, abstinence. Its 100% STD and pregnancy free. Throw in a little self-play now and then for the health of the reproductive organs (it's been shown that men who ejaculate at least once or twice a week have far lower rates of prostate cancer... looks like my prostate is 7x - 14x safer than that...)

Of course, failing to maintain it, young people do need to know the available contraceptives and proper use thereof, as well as basic ideas for how to be sexually intimate in ways that may be safer than full on copulative acts (any placement of the male part in any bodily orifice or contact of female parts directly together) such as mutual stimulation with the hands.

It makes sense to teach, "The only 100% is abstinence. You should strive to attain that goal. If you simply cannot though, here are the safest options, in order of safety [long lecture on the safest options in order of safety]. And if you should use them, there's nothing that says you can't decide to go back to abstinence after -- it's not an all-or-nothing deal."

Answer 4

Some people believe in true love and being true to a loved one. Some do not. Options should be taught, not one way. Think about what you wrote. With all due respect, it is like you are a controlling person. Abstinence makes a lot of sense to many people, that have integrity and honor.

Answer 5

It should be taught as the most effective form of birth control and STD prevention. Because it is.

But sex-education shouldn't stop there. Not by a LONG shot. Telling the kids to wait takes about 5 minutes. Then what? Then we've got to prepare them (with ALL the gory details) with what they need to know should they choose to have sex anyway (which MOST kids will choose to do before they get married).

People are getting married later and later in life these days. Asking them to wait is stupid.

Answer 6

Sex is health within a relationship? Define relationship. I met a girl a few months ago and got her number. We talked. Are we in a relationship? What if we decided we were in a relationship? Would sex be OK then? So, what happens when the next relationships comes around? Sex is OK then too, isn't it? Do you not think that sex will eventually lose its meaning and emotional effect that it has on us. Do you really want to think about every other person you have had sex with when you are making love to your wife? Don't tell me, I already know. You are not going to do that. You and ever body else who puts up your argument. Practice abstinence now or find out the harsh reality for yourself in the future.

Answer 7

The only place abstinence is taught is home or church. Schools have advocated "safe sex" for at least the past 26 years as that was taught to me in high school. I think abstinence should be taught because it is the only proven 100% means of birth control and STD prevention. I am frankly amazed that you would even be so ignorant as to say abstinense is unhealthy. Children (teenagers) who engage in sexual activity are not emotionally or mentally mature enough to handle the possible ramifications of a sexual encounter. They may be physically ready but have no idea of self yet or reality on the whole to be ready in any way that really counts. And yes you can "keep it in your pants", it is simply unfashionable to do so and you have no self control. Many people who are grown adults go without sexual relations for many years with no evidence of health conditions relating to their abstinense. What do you really mean...is it a matter to you of use it or lose it? Will it wither off of your body if you manage to control your baser needs? Because that thought is simply scary. If you cannot control a basic urge, how can you be trusted to roam free in society without giving in to stronger urges that are far more damaging?

Answer 8

>>>So why is abstinence still taught as a method of birth control and STD when it clearly does not work >>>

No offense, but are you serious?

Abstinence "does not work" only when it's not used!

But when it is used, it works perfectly. It's the ONLY thing that works perfectly.

You cannot be serious in saying that abstinence does not prevent pregnancy or STDs.

Nobody who practices abstinence gets pregnant or gets an STD.

It's the ONLY PERFECT METHOD of avoiding pregnancy and STDs -- so why don't you want it taught?

If you're trying to prevent something, would you not want to stress and teach the only perfect method of preventing that something?

No offense, but I find it unbelievable that so many people are so quick to dismiss the ONE method of pregnancy prevention and STD prevention that is absolutely FOOLPROOF.

This sort of mentality makes me wonder if society has really gone down the rabbit hole. Nothing personal.

.

Answer 9

I feel like this is said for teenagers. I dont want my 16 year old having sex with some random guy because its healthy. I would rather her "keep her pants on"....And not deal with her getting aids or becoming pregnant at such an early age. I'm all for ppl keeping there pants on before marriage...there are enough high school girls dropping out of school to give birth and way too many ppl with STD's in america.

Answer 10

sex education is wishy washy....so much so that new calls have been made to improve the standards of sex-education in schools in an attempt to reduce the rate of teenage pregnancies and stds.

abstinance would work, I mean that's just obvious

however, it's not really realistic to expect teenagers or even grown adults to against their biological functions.

one of the attributes to life is reproduction, chemical reactions take place within our bodies and thus, give us the urge to have sex at the point of sexual maturity

so what I'd say to the (religious) people that want abstinence to be taught, is, are you advocating masturbation as an alternative?


don't get me wrong...I'm all for reducing the rate of teenage pregnancies, abortions and stds...

however, I just feel that it's an unrealistic concept and goes against the laws of nature... teaching abstinance as the only means of sex education would take us back a century!

Better sex education is imperative as what is being taught at the moment is below standard

edit:

I agree somewhat with Blondie, in that it is a good thing to teach teenagers to abstain for a while, I just don't think it's the the only solution to prevent stds and unwanted pregnancies in teenagers because teens being teens, love to experiment with their sexuality

as for adults, well, as I mentioned above, you're pretty much expecting a lot from single adults to remain celibate until they get married

and to point out to the ones that mentioned that teenagers aren't responsible enough to look after children, I wholeheartedly agree with that, but by the same token, I know a lot of adults that arent either, married or not.

Being married certainly does not automatically qualify a couple as better parents and if abstinence was the only way to go, do you not think there'd be a rise in younger people getting married and a consequent rise in divorces?

Answer 11

It may not work for you and it may not work for me but; it may work for some. I don't think you should speak for everyone. Being the only 100% effective form of birth control and protection against STD's, don't you think it should be taught. We live in a country of choice. If all the options are not presented to us, it's not very fair is it? If some of us don't wish to choose it, we don't have to. Honestly, I would hope my 15 year old son would choose abstinence. I would hope that good grades and success would be more important to him than sex. I wish that for all children.