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Scientists tell congress to just say no to abstinence-only education
Filed under: Your Pregnancy, Health & Safety: Babies, In The News, Day Care & Education
Ten top researchers in the field of adolescent sexual and reproductive health recently sent a letter to members of congress calling for an end to government funding and support for abstinence-only education. The scientists note that "by design, abstinence programs restrict information... that may be critical to protecting the health of young people." If you ask me, abstinence-only education is like telling kids not to get into accidents without actually teaching them to drive or even how to put on a seatbelt.The letter points out that studies repeatedly show that abstinence-only education basically doesn't work (whereas "many comprehensive sexuality education programs, which include information on both abstinence and contraception, do help young people delay initiation of intercourse.") The online version of the letter contains many links to the studies and reports that contributed to the scientists' conclusions.
The group notes that they are not alone in their criticism of abstinence-only education; all of the mainstream organizations that deal with the health of young adults have criticized the programs. These include the American Public Health Association, the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Psychological Association, and the Society for Adolescent Medicine. There are links to the organizations' relevant policy statements as well.
The letter concludes, "given these serious scientific and ethical shortcomings, we strongly urge the U.S. Congress to reconsider federal support for abstinence-only education programs and policies." I agree completely.
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
11-29-2007 @ 1:01PM
Caelligh said...I feel assured that my child will receive a comprehensive sex education, regardless of the politics of the day - because they'll be getting it from ME. Maybe some parents are so uncomfortable with the topic that they just leave it up to the schools, but that just strikes me as irresponsible and short-sighted.
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11-29-2007 @ 5:10PM
ame s said...Well said!
I have a 4th grader in a B cup, so I began with the basics of female anatomy with her last year.
I was in 5th grade (10 years old) when I began menstruating. So was a classmate of mine, but she had no idea what was happening and was so scared. I've already explained it to my 4th grader.
11-29-2007 @ 1:11PM
Adrienne B. said...Unfortunately, a lot of parents *don't* talk to their kids about sex. Should these kids suffer ignorance because of their parents? There *is* a place for sex education in schools because, no matter what, there will always be parents who don't live up to their responsibilities. The chain has to be broken somewhere.
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11-29-2007 @ 1:52PM
Sabrina said...Sex ed is important in schools exactly because of what Caelligh said, otherwise I'd say we should trash the entire program and teach our own beliefs and morals exclusively at home. Too bad that some parents have become so embarrassed of their own bodies to even have a discussion like that with their children.
I do agree that abstinence only probably isn't the smartest way to go. There are many teenagers who are going to do it no matter what you tell them, and for the sake of those children, teaching contraceptives could be a lifesaving technique.
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11-29-2007 @ 2:31PM
RobMonroe said...I fall on the side of being sure that the school system teaching IN ADDITION to my (eventual) teaching of sexuality to my daughter. My parents dropped the ball completely and I figured things out on my own, in part because I went to private school. (Not even dancing was allowed, so there would never be conversation about sex!)
1 - You don't know everything. I don't either. It's okay. Let's let a trained teacher do their job, teach. I have a teacher friend that has gone through some serious studying to be sure that information is correct and right.
2 - Children will talk differently at school than at home. Will that different be good or bad, who knows? Some kids are completely comfortable with their parents and learn from them, others are not.
I agree that parents have a responsibility to teach their children all that they can, whether it is about sexuality, sports, fashion, cars.... I still see the value in having open and honest conversation in a school setting. It levels the playing field for the conversations that will happen in the cafeteria later.
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11-29-2007 @ 3:39PM
roger.sinasohn said...The problem with relying on parents to teach sexual health and reproduction and all that is that not all parents are knowledgeable about the topic -- a lot may have completely incorrect information, even. Especially if they themselves were given abstinence-only education.
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11-29-2007 @ 6:17PM
pbhj said...Roger S. >>> "If you ask me, abstinence-only education is like telling kids not to get into accidents without actually teaching them to drive or even how to put on a seatbelt."
If you ask me, sex-education that doesn't teach abstinence as the best option [for school kids] is like telling kids your only supposed to drive at 70mph on the highway but look how much cooler you'd be with nitro and a 150mph hotrod.
Anyway. We don't teach kids under 17 to drive in the UK ... because they're not allowed to drive on the roads. Some will learn and jack cars and all, but that doesn't mean we should teach them all and tell them all how to hot-wire a Ford. So what you're saying is that we should be teaching pre-teens to drive cars??
Car analogies should always be a last resort. They suck.
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11-29-2007 @ 7:24PM
Logan Levkoff said...Thankfully, the truth is out there - abstinence only education does not work; We need to be encouraging comprehensive sexuality education. But there are ways for parents to teach both our values and the facts. Let us not forget that it is our job as parents to provide the bulk of sexuality education. We can do it. We have to do it. If not, think of all the far less reputable sources we defer to.
Logan Levkoff, M.S.
Author, Third Base Ain't What it Used to Be: What Your Kids are Learning About Sex Today - and How to Teach Them to Become Sexually Healthy Adults
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