Abstinence Only Programs?

[JoArtist]

What I meant by that is, more unplanned teenage pregnancies happen while using abstinence only programs. Thus leading to more abortions. The way it was worded doesn’t really matter, as I’m sure everyone here knew what I meant.

Anyway, how to you feel about using these programs if they have been proven ineffective?

I knew exactly what you meant. Honestly the number of teens in both groups are probably having sex, but when they don’t learn about safe sex, then more end up getting STIs, pregnant, and abortions because there are more pregnancies.

 

[EasterJoy]

She was saying the HPV shot would have protected her. She didn’t say anything about safe sex ed protecting her.

It is little consolation, but there isn’t a 100% HPV vaccine. Having said that…I haven’t researched the vaccinations for this virus type, but if I thought them safe I would not refrain from getting one for someone who is a candidate because “I’m a good person, I can’t get that.” Since the HIV epidemic, I think we all know that is wrong-headed because:

a) Viruses don’t know that they gained entrance into your body through no fault of yours.
b) Even if you are at fault, repentance won’t kill a virus, once you have it.

 

[JoArtist]

It is little consolation, but there isn’t a 100% HPV vaccine. Having said that…I haven’t researched the vaccinations for this virus type, but if I thought them safe I would not refrain from getting one for someone who is a candidate because “I’m a good person, I can’t get that.” Since the HIV epidemic, I think we all know that is wrong-headed because:

a) Viruses don’t know that they gained entrance into your body through no fault of yours.
b) Even if you are at fault, repentance won’t kill a virus, once you have it.

Well according to the doctor the kind of HPV I had was one of the sorts the vaccine prevents. I tried to get the vaccine and they wouldn’t let me.

 

[Job42]

Disagree that abstinence education does not work. I think you should have abstinence programs in schools, but I also think as part of that there be truth told about contraception i.e. the fact that condoms have a 15% failiure and one in 250 fails etc. Expose the myths of the safety of contraception. These studies show abstinence education works:

Administration for Children and Families (ACF), a division of HHS, The American Public Health Association’s (APHA): citizenlink.com/2010/08/obama-administration-blocks-release-of-pivotal-hhs-abstinence-study/

Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine: townhall.com/columnists/LindaChavez/2010/02/05/abstinence_education_works_after_all

Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine: washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/01/AR2010020102628.html

nationalreview.com/articles/229086/killing-abstinence/robert-rector

ncregister.com/daily-news/abstinence_education_works_for_high-risk_youth

Great links, although not surprising. Abstinence-only education works, but it is being swept under the rug while “safe sex” is being marketed to our youth.

 

[rotlex]

After reading these posts and thinking about the issue further, I have finally voted.

I voted for “mostly emphasize abstinence but also provide safe sex education.”

It’s definitely a tough question and there is no perfect answer, unfortunately. All we can do is pick the best one.

This was my vote as well. Regardless of how certain members of these forums like to hide there head in the sand and pretend that sex outside of marriage, and in high school, is never going to happen, the fact is, it IS going to happen. Even when the parents are fully involved in teaching there children the "right"things to do. Lemme guess. The same members that are touting how “evil” teaching about contraception\condom use in school is, can fully guarantee there children never had sex while at that age, out of wedlock etc.? Yeah, OK, keep telling yourselves that. (If you don’t, or have ever had children yourselves, you shouldn’t even be talking about it).

Sorry for the rant. But again, I also voted “mostly emphasize abstinence but also provide safe sex education” as I feel, if it is going to be taught at all, this is the best approach, considering I don’t believe abstinence only education works. (Hell, I WAS a teenager once too, who had a fairly strict Catholic upbringing).

 

[divinefaith]

At my Catholic school, science and health topics covered both sides of the issue. we still however were taught the Catholic Church only permitted sex within marriage and with only the use of NFP. That didnt mean we didnt learn about ABC. If Catholic school allowed this teaching then I think it’s appropriate for public school (my school revolved around Catholic teachings by the way)

 

[divinefaith]

: I cant vote on your poll. So just count me as: emphasizing abstinence but also teaching safe sex.

 

[Debora123]

: I cant vote on your poll. So just count me as: emphasizing abstinence but also teaching safe sex.

No prob. It’s just bc you are still listed as “trial membership.”

Thanks for the (name removed by moderator)ut!

 

[manualman]

I’m curious why some people here are still pushing the false dilemma of

1. Teach abstinence as if contraception doesn’t exist.
2. Teach kids how to put on condoms and tell them that they will protect them from STDs.

These are BOTH stupid and harmful approaches. The first ignores the fact that people are going to learn about the existence of contraception (and contraceptive myths and fairy tales, for that matter). Why not give the the full, unvarnished truth. Catholics have nothing to fear fromt the truth, we have its author in our corner.

The truth is that condoms are a patheticly flimsy form of protection against only the physical harmful effects of fornication, which are actually less serious than the psychological and spiritual ill effects. The idea that using a condom makes fornication “safe” is laughable and we are practically buried in the proof of that statement in our culture today.

The best response for catholics isn’t listed on the poll choices, as usual:
Teach about human sexuality in its fullness, about the pitfalls of fornication AND the false promises of contraception.

Some will choose to ignore the message, some will choose to put their faith in latex, some will be fertile soil and the message will take root. But you have to sow the seed.

 

[Mary_Gail_36]

I’m curious why some people here are still pushing the false dilemma of

1. Teach abstinence as if contraception doesn’t exist.
2. Teach kids how to put on condoms and tell them that they will protect them from STDs.

These are BOTH stupid and harmful approaches. The first ignores the fact that people are going to learn about the existence of contraception (and contraceptive myths and fairy tales, for that matter). Why not give the the full, unvarnished truth. Catholics have nothing to fear fromt the truth, we have its author in our corner.

The truth is that condoms are a patheticly flimsy form of protection against only the physical harmful effects of fornication, which are actually less serious than the psychological and spiritual ill effects. The idea that using a condom makes fornication “safe” is laughable and we are practically buried in the proof of that statement in our culture today.

The best response for catholics isn’t listed on the poll choices, as usual:
Teach about human sexuality in its fullness, about the pitfalls of fornication AND the false promises of contraception.

Some will choose to ignore the message, some will choose to put their faith in latex, some will be fertile soil and the message will take root. But you have to sow the seed.

Very good post.

 

[valient_Lucy]

Well according to the doctor the kind of HPV I had was one of the sorts the vaccine prevents. I tried to get the vaccine and they wouldn’t let me.

Thank you for your honesty JoArtist. I’ve always wondered how many people who oppose the HPV vaccine are members of the NRA, or at least see nothing wrong with keeping a gun at home in case someone breaks into your house and tries to attack you.

 

[valient_Lucy]

Considering that Christian teenagers fornicate at pretty much the same rate as non Christian teenagers, this whole discussion seems to be a case of taking the speck out of our neighbor’s eyes while ignoring the plank in our own.

 

[1ke]

This was my vote as well. Regardless of how certain members of these forums like to hide there head in the sand and pretend that sex outside of marriage, and in high school, is never going to happen, the fact is, it IS going to happen. Even when the parents are fully involved in teaching there children the "right"things to do. Lemme guess. The same members that are touting how “evil” teaching about contraception\condom use in school is, can fully guarantee there children never had sex while at that age, out of wedlock etc.? Yeah, OK, keep telling yourselves that. (If you don’t, or have ever had children yourselves, you shouldn’t even be talking about it).

Sorry for the rant. But again, I also voted “mostly emphasize abstinence but also provide safe sex education” as I feel, if it is going to be taught at all, this is the best approach, considering I don’t believe abstinence only education works. (Hell, I WAS a teenager once too, who had a fairly strict Catholic upbringing).

So, it is your position that contraception is not an intrinsic evil, in opposition to Church teaching?

 

[1ke]

At my Catholic school, science and health topics covered both sides of the issue. we still however were taught the Catholic Church only permitted sex within marriage and with only the use of NFP. That didnt mean we didnt learn about ABC. If Catholic school allowed this teaching then I think it’s appropriate for public school (my school revolved around Catholic teachings by the way)

What a sad indictment of your “Catholic” school.

 

[1ke]

Considering that Christian teenagers fornicate at pretty much the same rate as non Christian teenagers, this whole discussion seems to be a case of taking the speck out of our neighbor’s eyes while ignoring the plank in our own.

What does this have to do with anything?

 

[JoArtist]

Why do the least peaceful people on this site have Pax in their signatures?

 

[Warrior1979]

I think that it is an impossible situation. The Catholic Church will never approve anything other than Abstinence-Only Programs, but on the other hand many people won’t abstain. Add on top of that a great many people that would be affected by this program aren’t even Catholic. You can’t expect to impose Catholic values on non-Catholics.

 

[Debora123]

Why do the least peaceful people on this site have Pax in their signatures?

JoArtist, you are one of my favorites!

 

[Debora123]

What a sad indictment of your “Catholic” school.

1ke, I’ve noticed you’ve yet to post your position on this issue. I know you keep saying “contraception is wrong,” but you haven’t specified on what you think would be the best option. Am I to assume you’d go with the abstinence only approach? How do you reconcile this with the fact that it has been proven less effective?

Thanks!

 

[1ke]

1ke, I’ve noticed you’ve yet to post your position on this issue. I know you keep saying “contraception is wrong,”

Contraception is an intrinsic moral evil. It cannot be condoned, promoted, or supported in any situation.

but you haven’t specified on what you think would be the best option

Certainly I did. In my first post.

I stated that *reproduction *of plants, animals, and humans should be taught in biology class. We teach the other major bodily systems there-- respiration, circulation, etc-- and should teach reproduction as it pertains to science.

The Church’s document on *The Truth And Meaning Of Human Sexuality *outlines the Church’s teaching on the proper place and method for instruction of youth as it pertains to human sexuality.

Am I to assume you’d go with the abstinence only approach?

No. See above. Reproduction belongs in *Biology *class. Human sexuality should follow the guidelines outlined in The Truth And Meaning Of Human Sexuality.

How do you reconcile this with the fact that it has been proven less effective?

“Effectivness” is not relevant in any way.