As soon word got out that Alaskan Govenor Sarah Palin had a pregnant 17-year-old daughter, harsh criticisms of sex education began. While right-wing Republicans like Palin completely support abstinence-only education in public schools, her daughter served as living proof that teen abstinence may not be a realistic expectation. In fact, Palin's daughter uttered the words herself.
After giving birth to her son Tripp, Bristol Palin agreed to an interview with FOX News, where she blatantly admitted that teen abstinence is "not realistic at all." Currently abstinence-only education supporters are holding on for dear life, as President Barack Obama is considering a cut in the program's funding. The National Abstinence Education Association has been lobbying Congress in hopes to stop Obama from cutting $42 million in funding compared to what former President George Bush asked for in the final months of his term. Obama's current stimulus package cuts the funding by $14.2 million.
As evidence that abstinence-only education can be effective, the NAEA took 500 students to Congress, asking them to testify in support of the programs and their effectiveness. While it would be ideal to believe that abstinence-only education is the best way to prevent teen pregnancies, let's be realistic for a moment.
Teens have sex.
An astonishing number of teens have sex, and abstinence-only education is not working. The statistics are interesting and unavoidable. Between 1991 and 2005, there was a significant decrease in the number of teen pregnancies, and as soon as the George Bush Administration implemented more funding for abstinence-only sex education, teen pregnancy rates began to rise. Censoring any talk of birth control options in sex ed classes did not turn out to be too helpful.
The curricula of sex education is left in the hands of individual school districts. In Conservative districts such as Anchorage in Alaska, abstinence-only education is the primary sex ed available to teens. As a result, Alaska has seen a 19 percent increase in teen pregnancies since 2005. Maybe that example doesn't prove anything. But I have another one up my sleeve:
In Gaston County, North Carolina, 500 teens became pregnant 2007. GastonCounty students are only exposed to abstinence education, and contraception options are not added to the curriculum. Even the Gaston County Health Director, Colleen Bridger, admits that without better sex education, teen pregnancy numbers in the county will not drop. Bridger goes on to say:
"Counties in North Carolina that teach comprehensive sex education have lower teen pregnancy rates than Gaston County. Research shows abstinence-only education doesn't work, and I think it is time for GastonCounty to try what the research shows works."
California has a rather liberal mindset toward sex education, and although teen pregnancy has risen throughout the United States in recent years, California's pregnancy rate remains lower than the United States' rate, and substantially lower compared to demographically comparable states such as Texas.
So the question still remains remains: is it a good idea for President Obama to cut funding for abstinence-only education? In my opinion there is no doubt that he should cut funding. Abstinence-only education is supported by religious ideals that have no place in a country that is supposed to show a division of church and state. In a time of an economic crisis, programs that have proven to fail need to be erased from the federal budget. Imagine paying every month for a car that doesn't run, or a television that doesn't work. Is there any point to that?
Abstinence SHOULD be included in sex ed curriculum. But students also need to be exposed to other options, so if they ever feel they're ready to be intimate before marriage, they have the knowledge necessary to practice safe sex. Education is power, right? Not just in math in reading either.
Bristol Palin said it right...absitinence-only education is not realistic.
Comments
You're 100% right Ana. Abstinence only might sound nice in a perfect world, but it's a practical absurdity in most cases.
And that's not an opinion, it's a fact supported by non-biased research. So if anyone wants to disagree they need to put their opinions aside and look at the studies.
Of course if they do that honestly they'll have to change their views, which is a difficult thing. Instead they'll probably bury their heads in the sand and ignore reality.
I disagree with you on two points. I think sex is a great thing and more people should have it, especially if the women are pretty like you. I also think you should not agree with Bristol Palin, she's fugly.
Bust out those studies then, ihavenobias.
PLEASE REPORT FACTS!
Since at least 2006, Governor Palin has been ON RECORD as supporting full birth control education in schools that includes abstinence as a method of birth control.
She is NOT a far right Republican who supports abstinence-only education.
PLEASE STOP SPREADING LIES.
Thanks so much.
hrh40, what are you even talking about.
YOU don't have your facts.
Please, Mr. President, CUT THE FUNDING! Abstinence only education does not work.
Your assertion that Sarah Palin believes in abstinence-only aducation is factually incorrect - the L.A. Times and others have written about this:
articles.latimes.com/2008/sep/06/nation/na-sexed6
You should probably do some research before writing next time...just sayin'.
Since Check is too lazy to use Google, I went ahead and did it for him. Annoyingly though, links are not allowed in comments here.
So you'll just have to google this from the Dept. Of Health and Human Services:
Impacts of Four Title V, Section 510 Abstinence Education Programs
The research is quite clear, abstinence only does not work. In fact, it actually increases the risk of STD's and unplanned pregnancies (which may also lead to abortion) because abstinence only teens end up having sex but are less likely to use any contraceptives.
PS---Even if it's true that Palin is 100% in favor of birth control, she is still clearly a far right Republican based on many other issues. But so what, even if you agree with her ideology she's laughably uninformed and inarticulate. One might even say she's an idiot.
Some will say that's partisan harshness, but those are the same fools that supported Bush year after year only to weakly criticize him now for not being a "true conservative". If only they'd criticized him BEFORE he helped tank the economy and start unnecessary wars.
It has long been known that abstinence only is totally ineffective and the practice is based on religious doctrine rather than scientific fact.America looks to have been a Nation run by old fuddy duddies and living in the past for too long.Provably thousands more women have died in childbirth as a result of the Bush policy on family planning clinics and this seems to me to be nothing but wickedness and cruelty and it is time this attempt at deception was shown up for what it is, an attempt to place archaic doctrine above goodness.
Once we can fix the 'adult' problem, then maybe there is a chance on improving the behaviors and life outcomes for teens.
Parents who are around to have meaningful relationships with their young people, and complete education (yes, includes YOUR view/definition of morals) tend not experience these unfortunate outcomes with their young people. May want to pick up a good resource, The Underground Guide to Teenage Sexuality, used by churchs, schools, parents, teens - addresses this issue and what is behind it as well.
Very nice site!
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