Abstinence is a crock

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Sex abstinence programmes do not stop risky sexual behaviour or help in the prevention of unwanted pregnancy, a research team has concluded.

The Oxford University team reviewed 13 US trials involving over 15,000 people aged 10 to 21.

They found abstinence programmes had no negative or positive impact on the rates of sex infections or unprotected sex, the British Medical Journal said.

Abstinence programmes are popular in the US and have supporters in the UK.

A UK branch of the US Silver Ring Thing was set up four years ago to promote sexual abstinence among young people.

However, such groups have so far failed to gain the foothold they have in the US where a third of the President's HIV budget is given to abstinence programmes.

The latest study, which included trials comparing young people attending abstinence-only programmes against those receiving no sex education, raises questions over whether they work in developed countries.

Researchers found none of the abstinence-only programmes had an impact on the age at which individuals lost their virginity, whether they had unprotected sex, the number of sexual partners, the rates of sexually transmitted diseases or the number of pregnancies.

One trial did show a short-term benefit with participants reporting that they were less likely to have had sex in the month following one abstinence-only programme.

But the researchers said this finding was offset by six other trials that showed the programmes had no effect on the participants' recent sex lives.

Another trial even showed that participants in abstinence-only programmes were significantly more likely to report pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease, compared to participants using the usual services.

However, other studies did not show this.

Effective

This compared to programmes that promote the use of condoms which greatly reduce the risk of HIV, the BMJ reported.

Lead author Kristen Underhill said: "Our analysis suggests that abstinence-only programmes that aim to prevent HIV are not effective.

"This finding has key implications for policy and practice, especially in the US, where abstinence-only programmes receive both federal and state funding."

Genevieve Clark, of the Terrence Higgins Trust, said: "Young people need to know that they can say no to sex, just as they need to know how to protect themselves from pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections if they decide that a sexual relationship is right for them.

"But abstinence-only programmes don't work because they provide no safety net for those young people who do have a sexual relationship - and research shows that many do."

And Ivan Blake, of the young people's sexual health charity Brook, added: "There are even studies which show they can make things worse as people do not have the knowledge or confidence to have safe sex."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6927733.stm

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Knowledge is power, but ignorance is bliss?

[MissStacey 1]

Sex good.

Abstinence bad.

[Reba 2]

Even when I was a teenager I knew that abstinance only programmes wouldn't work! Teens are going to have sex no matter what, (unless you chain them in the basement til they're 20) you might as well give them the tools they need to stay alive and let them know what causes pregnancy When I was in school our sex ed included everything. Abstinance (which was primarily encouraged) as well as birth control and condoms.

Abstinance only programmes are not education IMO, its cowardice and ignorance and just skirting the issue.

I'm not saying I advocate teen sex at all. Just give them the proper education and let them make up their own minds. They'll probably surprise you. I think teaching abstinance only is an insult to their intelligence.

[Marilyn. 340]

nowadays does sex education teach abstinence too?

[Emancipation 2]

Even when I was a teenager I knew that abstinance only programmes wouldn't work! Teens are going to have sex no matter what, (unless you chain them in the basement til they're 20) you might as well give them the tools they need to stay alive and let them know what causes pregnancy When I was in school our sex ed included everything. Abstinance (which was primarily encouraged) as well as birth control and condoms.

Abstinance only programmes are not education IMO, its cowardice and ignorance and just skirting the issue.

I'm not saying I advocate teen sex at all. Just give them the proper education and let them make up their own minds. They'll probably surprise you. I think teaching abstinance only is an insult to their intelligence.

I have to disagree with the bolded bit Reba..

I have worked with teens since I was a teenager and i have known MANY MANY teens who have chosen to save themselves until marriage..

I agree.. we have to keep the lines of communication open.. we have to give them the "safe" tools they need. But I've shared my experience of heartbreak and damage done by just playing around with sex like a toy when you are pre-teen/teenager, and THOSE are the issues that need to be addressed with teens. To explain the emotional stuff that gets left behind in the wake of a casual sexual encounter. Most teens I've spoken to understand and respect those issues. Scaring them with "AIDS, STD or Pregnancy" stuff won't work by itself. Teens are thinking rational beings I believe with all my heart and when you open up the full issue they do, as you said, make up their minds.....

Edited August 3, 2007 by Emancipation

[Caladan 19]

A Columbia university study found that all of the 'save yourself till marriage' promise ring stuff basically moved up the average age of first sexual experience to 18 from 16, but when the kids did have sex, they had no idea about condoms or disease or safety. I think a lot of teens do agree to save themselves till marriage but most of them lose that resolve somewhere along the way. On the other hand, if you get out of your teens without getting pregnant or getting someone else pregnant, you're probably in pretty good shape, life-wise.

But scaring them with the kind of sex ed ####### I got is just ridiculous. You walked out of health class thinking that if you ever had sex you'd die instantly of AIDS, syphillis and develop breast cancer. And a lot of 'you don't have to have sex! you can go for ice cream!' that really made it sound as though the adults had never had sex either. It would have been better if it had talked a little more about decisions to have sex; might prevent a few date rapes.

[Fandango 1,439]

They should just say to the girls

'teen boys don't know sh!t about sex'

[chri'stina 190]

Even when I was a teenager I knew that abstinance only programmes wouldn't work! Teens are going to have sex no matter what, (unless you chain them in the basement til they're 20) you might as well give them the tools they need to stay alive and let them know what causes pregnancy When I was in school our sex ed included everything. Abstinance (which was primarily encouraged) as well as birth control and condoms.

Abstinance only programmes are not education IMO, its cowardice and ignorance and just skirting the issue.

I'm not saying I advocate teen sex at all. Just give them the proper education and let them make up their own minds. They'll probably surprise you. I think teaching abstinance only is an insult to their intelligence.

I have to disagree with the bolded bit Reba..

I have worked with teens since I was a teenager and i have known MANY MANY teens who have chosen to save themselves until marriage..

I agree.. we have to keep the lines of communication open.. we have to give them the "safe" tools they need. But I've shared my experience of heartbreak and damage done by just playing around with sex like a toy when you are pre-teen/teenager, and THOSE are the issues that need to be addressed with teens. To explain the emotional stuff that gets left behind in the wake of a casual sexual encounter. Most teens I've spoken to understand and respect those issues. Scaring them with "AIDS, STD or Pregnancy" stuff won't work by itself. Teens are thinking rational beings I believe with all my heart and when you open up the full issue they do, as you said, make up their minds.....

Obviously I have strong opinions on this issue that disagrees with so many people. I wish more people would wait til marriage to have sex. It is possible. But I know that's a laughable idea in today's society.

Too bad people who sleep around with a bunch of people are passing around loads of STDs. Yeah that still doesn't stop them from having sex. STDs for everyone! Who cares what disease you get as long as you have fun.

[almaty 19]

i think that my sister stina makes an excellent point...also, i think the lack of understanding by most teens lead to major life issues for them....sex education needs to start at home..

[mawilson 2,133]

They should just say to the girls

'teen boys don't know sh!t about sex'

I agree. They should encourage teen girls to have more sex with 30+ year olds.

[chri'stina 190]

I don't disagree with the article, but still I do hold the belief that it's much better to wait to have sex. It worked in my life.

But I am not ignorant of the fact that if people want to do it they will. Growing up in church and stuff, at least half of my friends grew up to get pregnant, mostly with boyfriends who were idiots and didn't stick around or went to jail. So I know for my friends the whole abstinence thing didn't work. It could have, but they didn't want it to. I wanted to and did. But still by the time they got pregnant, they knew how not to get pregnant. But people act so careless and think they won't get pregnant. All I see in people having sex with those they don't even love is STDs and unwanted pregnancies. I don't see any positive things coming about from it.

[Fandango 1,439]

They should just say to the girls

'teen boys don't know sh!t about sex'

I agree. They should encourage teen girls to have more sex with 30+ year olds.

omG that is soooo not what I meant!

you're awful, Mark

[Fandango 1,439]

I think the whole 'wait til you get married' is too lofty a goal for young people. I remember starting a year of school thinking 'ugh, a whole year!'

Let alone how many people aren't getting married early on...

However, I don't disagree with abstinance at all....I think it is a VERY good method to teach. Yes, kids should learn about condoms...not about birth control pills because they don't protect against STDs.

The simple fact is that sleeping with someone could kill you. That is a choice that only adults can understand. Kids think they're invincible & that each one of them is the exception to the rule.

The message should be 'you shouldn't have sex until you're adult enough to handle the consequences' And to make sure that each of those consequences are explained in full detail.

To renew my nail tech license each renewal period, we have to take an AIDS awarness course. It teaches basic physiology and how the disease affects the body. It's terrifying stuff!

[^KK^ 3]

All they need to do is show the horrible pictures of people with STDs and that'll keep the teens in check. I know it worked for me...