Teens Say Bristol Palin is a Hypocrite
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Teens Say Bristol Palin is a Hypocrite
| Thu, 05-07-2009 - 9:25am |
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/ReproductiveHealth/story?id=7516975&page=1
New York City students who heard Bristol Palin's warnings against teen pregnancy say they might consider abstinence, but they wouldn't take advice on it from the young unwed mother.
Palin, the 18-year-old daughter of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, recently was selected as an ambassador to The Candie's Foundation to help create awareness about the pitfalls of teen pregnancy.
On Wednesday, she carried her message to about 150 teens at a town meeting forum at The Times Center that included "Heroes" actress Hayden Panettiere and Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Matt Garza, who was a teen father.
"It's a big flop," said Jerry Kowal, a senior at Solomon Schecter High School in Hartsdale, N.Y., referring to Palin's campaign to get teens to abstain from sex. (click link for complete article)

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I saw part of
I too have watched the interviews. Can you please show me where she said "abstinence only"? I heard her say that the (and I quote) "only way to be 100% sure you don't get pregnant is to abstain from sex"
I also heard her say that sexually active teens should practice safe sex. I also heard Levi state in the Tyra Banks interview that the two of them WERE practicing safe sex when Bristol got pregnant.
Sounds to me like this is a case of the liberal media twisting her message. I find it disgusting that the media turned her message of preventing teen pregnancies into some sort of political agenda.
Talk about hypocrisy!
Please reread my post I think you're confused.
From my post......
"Sarah Palin's
Huh? IF Bristol and Levi were practicing "safe" sex (fresh condoms, perhaps Bristol also using a diaphragm, sponge or birthcontrol pill), odds are good (not 100% though) that Bristol would not have conceived. It would be interesting to know specifically what sort of pregnancy prophylaxis, if any, they were using. And also interesting to know how they learned what contraceptive measures to take since Sarah Palin does not believe in explicit (and thus more fact-based) sex education.
It is not unreasonable to posit that SP has political ambitions. At the time of her vice-presidential candidacy, the unmarried pregnant status of Bristol was known. Didn't faze Sarah! ANY agenda which pulls in a sizable voting block would be of interest to an ambitious politician. However, only unquestioning prawns would think that Bristol Palin makes a good (in the sense of supporting) spokeswoman for the efficacy of abstinence-only education. Pull the critical thinking plug, substitute fawning adoration, and she makes a PERFECT mouthpiece.
Sarah Palin knew the media (and I avoid the adjective "liberal" because it presumes that reporting is ideologically driven, which isn't necessarily the case) is tough. Geez, the Couric interview was absolutely amazing for paucity of preparation by Palin! NOBODY is compelling either the Johnstons or the Palins to go before cameras and tell their stories. They're profiting from the exposure somehow--maybe monetarily, maybe politically, maybe at the level of self-vindication. But if they do, they have no excuse whatsoever to claim ignorance.
Hypocrisy? No.
Jabberwocka
It seems to me that an unwed teen mother would be the ideal person to talk about the pitfalls of teen pregnancy.
>>I too have watched the interviews. Can you please show me where she said (1)"abstinence only"? I heard her say that the (and I quote) (2)"only way to be 100% sure you don't get pregnant is to abstain from sex"<<
There is no difference between these two statements.
You need to watch the interviews for yourself so you will be clear exactly what she said. She referenced abstinence and the ONLY 100% foolproof way NOT to get pregnant. She ALSO said that if teens are sexually active then obviously THEY SHOULD USE SOME SORT OF PROTECTION. She said abstinence is the only way to avoid STD's as well.
Please don't take what I said out of context and twist it to suit your own agenda. It's quite offensive.
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All I know is that Levi was on the Tyra Banks show and stated that he and Bristol were practicing safe sex when she became pregnant. He didn't elaborate any more than that.
Therein lies the problem with teaching abstinence-only contraception in sex education classes. Teens often get their "facts" about contraception from peers, hearsay and the more outré corners of the internet--when they get any information at all. And they have no way of discriminating between sound practice and flawed practice (like withdrawal before ejaculation).
Not that I wish to be privy to the sexual practices of others, but still think it would be interesting to know what specific contraceptive measures Levi included in his definition of "safe sex". And how/where did he get his information?
The Devil, as they say, is in the details. I believe abstinence is the 100% effective form of birth control. Homosexuality works too! But teens in the throes of hormones, popular culture, and poor impulse control linked to the still maturing brain, are not necessarily going to practice abstention.
Jabberwocka
I guess my point of even posting on this thread is that Bristo Palin is NOT preaching Abstinence only. That may be what her mother 'taught' her...but that is not her message to teens. I feel there are many on these ivillage message boards that jump to any opportunity to bash the Palins and twist what this girl is trying to say.
Please watch her interviews. She only makes the comment that abstinence is the only 100% foolproof way of avoiding pregnancy and STD's. She also makes the comment that sexually active teens need to practice safe sex practices to avoid pregnancy and STD's. She repeatedly tries to warn teens how incredibly hard raising a baby is...EVEN with a supportive family. She warns teens not to follow in her footsteps and make the same mistakes that she has made. But...people somehow still want to fault her for that.
Again....nowhere did Bristol Palin state that she is an advocate for abstinence only education. But, like I said, there are many people on these ivilliage message boards who love to bash the Palins at any chance they can get. These people are not being fair or reasonable, but just being hateful.
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