Bush Seeks Funds for Abstinence Education

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 11/27/04 at 11:23am

Post what you think
CLICK HERE!

[OneBlazeOfGlory]

Posted: 11/27/04 at 11:37am

I think its wrong. Highschool kids aren't going to not have sex just because one of their teachers told them not to. If they are going to bother spending all this money, they should teach abstinence, but also instruction on safe sex.

"The only 100 percent way to avoid a car collision is not to drive, but the federal government sure does a lot of advocacy for safety belts,"
^that quote pretty much sums it up^

[OneBlazeOfGlory]

Posted: 11/27/04 at 11:46am

Well if I had my way, all the money being spent on these programs would instead be used for AIDS research...

But alas I am not the president.

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 11/27/04 at 11:50am

This is just plain horrible.

[ErikJ972]

Posted: 11/27/04 at 12:09pm

"The president has been a strong proponent of school-based sexual education that focuses on abstinence, but does not include instruction on safe sex. "

He might as well be handing out a death sentence. Working in a high school it's easy to see that it's imperative that students are taught about safe sex. When I started doing classroom presentations about health issues, it amazed me how many kids didn't know how to use a condom correctly. We had one case of a health teacher who was telling a class that condoms don't work for "homosexual anal course" so one of my gay students didn't see the point in using them.
I've had to tell too many kids they have an STD or that they're pregnant. An abstinence only curriculum in my school would be a DISASTER. Abstinence needs to be taugh along with safe sex education. These kids are having sex, half of them before high school, and an abstinence education program is not going to stop them.

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 11/27/04 at 12:19pm

Erik- As a highschool student I agree completely. We have two ministers teach our health class (they have the right degrees) but they teach us everything needed to know.

[MaTakeALookAtMe]

Posted: 11/27/04 at 12:37pm

Teach both... abstinence is a fine choice, even commendable and wise, but doin it is so much better...

[bythesword84]

Posted: 11/27/04 at 1:11pm

I fully understand that I'm alone on this topic but I really think that while yes, it is fine for schools to teach these things, I think the real responsibility goes to the parents. I think it's up to them to teach their children about sex more than it is up to a school.

[MaTakeALookAtMe]

Posted: 11/27/04 at 1:13pm

Oh gawd... I am so glad my parents did not teach me their views on sex.

Some things I don't want to picture....

[B.B. Wolf]

Posted: 11/27/04 at 1:55pm

Yeah. Come on. Preaching abstinence to the majority of America worked SO WELL for Reagan. :P

[shesings]

Posted: 11/27/04 at 2:43pm

ok, I think sure teach absitnence. It would be great if that was the choice that young people choose to make. However this education should not be a substitue for teaching safe sex, they should instead be taught hand in hand.

And I agree that parents should be teaching their children as well. I mean I can't really imagine my parents showing me how to use a condom... but they did tell me about safe sex, and their views on when you should have sex. I for one really valued what they had to say. I think they taught me well, because when I DID decided it was the right time, I went and got on birth control ahead of time, and made sure my parter used a condom. I give my parents credit for me being prepared there, since I went to a catholic school that doesn't support birth control.

[Mythus]

Posted: 11/27/04 at 2:50pm

I think that high schoolers should be educated on safe sex and abstinence, but be allowed to make the choice between them. I mean, if you're responsible and of consenting age, no one should point a finger at you and say "You can't have sex!"

Of course, I shouldn't speak, because I'm still a year away from the legal consenting age. But, hey, at least I don't have to worry about ever getting pregnant.

[iflitifloat]

Posted: 11/27/04 at 3:01pm

Layer on top of the abstinance policy the fact that if Bush has his way, women will no longer have the right to choose to have an abortion if circumstances arise where that is what is needed. I'm all for decreasing the number of abortions...but see the way to do that as being prevention. So I am all for talking opening about all things sexual, beginning in middle school, and promoting the use of condoms...safe sex AND pregnancy prevention...two birds with one stone.

To push abstinance as a plan, with no back-up, is insane.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 11/27/04 at 3:08pm

you people have no idea what you are talking about!! this plan has the possibility of reviving our manufacturing base in one fell swoop as old military ammunition factories from the 40's are re-tooled to build that most basic of all abstinence necessities: the chastity belt. think, people. there's a method to the madness!

Updated On: 11/27/04 at 03:08 PM

[Mythus]

Posted: 11/27/04 at 3:09pm

Oh, I can finally dust off my old chastity belt? I've been waiting for years!

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 11/27/04 at 3:14pm

I agree that removing safe sex education (and removing abortion rights) will result in many deaths and unwanted pregnancies. Girls I went to high school with didn't even know how they got pregnant!

And, the fact is that too many parents do not talk to their kids about sex.

If it's ok for schools to teach nutrition, physical education, and hygiene--it should be perfectly fine for schools to discuss sex. Not doing so is just puritanism.

Posted: 11/27/04 at 6:37pm

I guess the real problem is that 100,000 years of evolution is tell all these kids that they should be focking every five minutes.

Who/when was it decided that you're not an adult until you're 18?

I too think the abstenence only plan won't work.