Is anyone else conserned that schools are teaching safe sex more than abstinence anymore?

Question

I'm only 24, and the difference between my sex ed classes, where they taught abstinence and reproduction and my younger sisters (17) sex ed class where they teach safe sex and hand out condoms is crazy! I know that kids are having sex earlier, but is it really the schools place to hand out condoms to our kids and pretty much give them a green light?

Answer 1

Handing out condoms is not a "green light". it is saying "I know what I say will go in and out your ear, but in the end, make sure you at least know what this is, how this is used and other issues related that can help prevent"

I hate "Abstinence" class. All it teaches them is "Don't" and not the facts about their bodies, reproduction and about preventives in a sexual or soon to be sexual relationship.

Is not up to the schools to tell them when they should have sex nor religious beliefs.

They will have the green light with or without sex education/abstain. At least inform them so they are not doing it stupidily. A lot of teen pregnancies and std's are due to lack of information and education among teens AND adults.

Answer 2

You have it all wrong. Kids aren't having more sex because the school gives them condoms and teaches them how to use them. Kids are having more sex earlier because they want to, and they'll do it whether they have condoms or not. Schools, unlike you, are just acknowledging the reality of what is, and responding to it in a way that best prevents disease and pregnancy.

Schools need to be more dilligent in teaching safe sex and condom use, not less. Every study that has ever been done on abstinence only sex education has shown that it doesn't work. There needs to be comprehensive sex education that prepares kids to be safe when they do it. Typically it is repressed and/or highly religious people that have a problem with comprehensive sex education, and if the school didn't teach this important information, there would be a lot of kids who wouldn't get it. These are the kids who get someone/themselves knocked up in high school, or get aids and don't make it to 30.

Also, where did you go to school, because I'm 30, and I had comprehensive sex ed where they taught safe sex, condom use and gave out condoms. That's probably one of the reasons I made it to 30 without a VD or a kid.

Answer 3

I'm concerned that they arent teaching safe sex as much. I'm 27 and when I was in school they taught safe sex from the time we were 13 and older. But all of my younger siblings have been taught abstinence. My little sister who is 3 years younger than me got pregnant when she was 16 because her boyfriend didnt know how to put on a condom right. I think that all schools should have mandatory safe sex, sex ed classes. I dont mind them teaching abstinence too, but the kids need to know how to properly have safe sex, so that there arent so many pregnant teenagers.

Answer 4

I heard about that study. The program was different from most others in that it recommended that the children remain abstinent until they were older and able to deal with the consequences of sex; those that ask children to remain celibate until marriage don't work nearly as well. Personally, I don't like the idea of schools indoctrinating children into any particular view of sex. It's such a personal matter. I'd rather them be taught basic facts, including facts about anatomy, fertility, pregnancy, and STDs. Knowing how to prevent STDs through proper condom use is important. This should all be done on an age-appropriate level, of course. Perhaps an eleven year old could be taught basic anatomy, the next year s/he could be taught about fertility, etc. The problem with teaching an eleven year old to use a condom is that it implies that s/he will need this skill within the next year, at least. I certainly would not want this, but nor would I want a teacher to share with him exactly when she thought he should start having sex, whether that's at age eighteen or on his wedding night. My view is that sex is appropriate for those in their very late teens, but it's not something on which I would like schools to take a stance.

Answer 5

No, I'm all for it as a parent of a 17 year old son. As you might remember when you were younger, or may have seen from your peers, there more an adult try to steer a kid away from something, the more they are drawn to it. Too many parent preach abstinence when they themselves didn't practice it. Don't be a "do as I say" parent because kids aren't stupid. They would consider what is being said when they are being spoken to, not at. As with seniors, Independence is one of the main thing of importance in a child's life, growing into a young adult. Appear to not give them a choice, then they'll rebel.Also, results have shown that speaking about abstinence and waiting hasn't work, nor will it in a world where sex sells.

Answer 6

Did the teacher also have the boy take off his pants and try it out? If not, who cares? Most kids I know would blow these up like balloons and paste them on their locker.

If you ask me, any sex education in school is a waste of money. Abstinence only classes are a joke. It's a lot like a diet -- it depends a lot on will power. My will power works great when I have no brownies or Coke in the house and it's 20 below outside. Or when I'm sleeping. Otherwise, unless these kids have a 1-800 number to call right before they're ready to get it on and are willing to embarass themselves when their teacher/parent shows up at the party to prevent themselves from doing something stupid, abstinence only education is useless.

Comprehensive sex education is better, but the religious nuts are right -- condoms can break, and birth control pills only work when you remember to take them. I speak from personal experience. It all depends on the crowd you hang out with in school and your relationship with your parents or guardians. Some teacher preaching the gospel of sex or lack thereof will do little to change kid's minds.

Answer 7

I really feel as if abstinence should be tought as it is the only option,but also inform the kids that if they still deside to have sex that condoms are available to them.And your sister is 17?Thats a little late for "the talk",it needs to be in the 7th or 8th grade before the peer pressure of highschool takes place...Shes one year away from being an adult,all the pressure durring high school has already been placed on her,so what so late?
I am adopted...Why?Because my birthmother who was 15 at the time of my birth listened to her 23 year old boyfriend when he said sorry I forgot the condom,I love you and it doesnt matter....These kids need to be informed..Girls and boys.

Answer 8

Abstinence is only a wishful theory. Teenagers will have sex. It's human nature. If parents are hard about the issue, the teens will only rebel and sneak to do it. The human body says reproduce-have sex. The problem is that teens confuse sex with love. We should be teaching about love and self-esteem and self- respect. At the end of the day we should be putting condoms in our sons pockets and birth control on our daughters night stands. A green light is always on...nomatter what the religion,culture, or parental teachings.

Answer 9

I think their being smart.

Whether or not they teach abstinence in school, teens will still be going out and having sex. So, you might as well teach them properly and answer their questions truthfully. I think it's also a good thing that they are now handing out condoms in some schools. This way teens can get their hands on them without being embarrassed. And even though they might decide to have at too young of an age, at least they will be protected against pregnancy and STD's.

Answer 10

Let's look at the scoreboard on this issue.

The US has the highest teen pregnancy rate on the planet, and no doubt some of that sexual activity is resulting in STDs and abortions.

Our teen pregnancy rate is 9X as high as the Netherlands, where they take sex education seriously, and put the onus on the pregnancy...NOT the sex.

You tell me which is better...

You can preach "abstinence" if you like, but I don't really believe that teens are much different in 2007 than in 1967. Have you forgotten what it was like to be a teen with raging hormones?

Each parent has to wrestle with the issues in their own way, but I find the level of careless pregnancies and abortions totally unacceptable, and it's not getting any better with this "absitnence" fantasy.