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| Tue, 09-04-2007 - 9:20am |

Abstinence Preaching--is it a waste of time?
A recent comprehensive government study of abstinence education programs found no indication that they delay or prevent adolescent sex. In light of these findings, the Senate cut financing for these programs in June, and the House is currently debating whether to continue funding them in the future.
What do you think of abstinence education in schools?
How do you discuss sex with your teenage?
Read on to educate yourself about teen sexual activity:
http://parenting.ivillage.com/teen/tdating/0,,bvk8gqwn,00.html?nlcid=tk%7C08-27-2007%7C
What are your thoughts on this topic?

As a spin-off.
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I'm not in favor of it in the SCHOOLS, though I am in favor of it in the home.
What do you think of abstinence education in schools? I like it, I think that teens who have parents at home teaching them that its okay to NOT have sex can feel reinforced by hearing it at school. I'm sure the kids who DONT probably feel like outcasts sometimes, I know I sure did. I don't think it's going to make kids NOT have sex if they're not hearing about it's importance at home beforehand.
How do you discuss sex with your teenage? I don't hammer on the idea of waiting until marriage because I think it sets unreasonable goals. When it comes up, I usually equate it to making a baby, the stress a baby brings on your life and how much harder life will be when you have to juggle a baby at the same time. I'm lucky that Mack is VERY goal oriented (she wants to be a Neurologist) so I use that in our discussion...how much harder it would be to take a baby to college, and medical school. Birth control hasn't really come up yet but someone recently told me to toss a pack of condoms on my son's bed saying "I know you're not ready for these yet. You know I don't want you having sex until you're ready for parenthood...but I"m not willing to risk your LIFE over you doing something behind my back. Just remember these aren't 100% fool proof but if that thang comes out, it had BETTER be covered up." My daughter doesn't have the freedom from us right now to be able to have sex (she's either very busy or at home! LOL) but I'll probably do the same for her when she's going into high school. I'd rather her and her friends play with them than for her to NOT have one when she needs it. She hasn't started her period yet but I'll let her get on the pill to 'regulate her periods' if she thinks she needs it.
Read on to educate yourself about teen sexual activity: NOOOO I DONT WANNA READ IT!!! LOL!!!
What are your thoughts on this topic? Do you think it is still necessary to preach and push abstinence, or do you think the more practical approach is to teach safe sex? I think you have to be realistic. You have to make it clear that it's okay NOT to...you don't HAVE to follow the crowd and try to fit in...that's the biggest thing we've tried to enforce in our kids from a very young age. They know it's okay and expected to take the high road, morally, and they've done a pretty good job with this. They choose their friends wisely so I hope they choose their activities just as wisely. They don't 'party' with their friends, I encourage them to hang out over here so I can moniter what they're up to. I'm also not stupid or naive so these kids DO need safe sex education on top of everything else..you can't risk your child's life over them choosing to have sex. I was born to a high school mom so I'm not blind to the consequences of it and I'd rather see my kids protected from that AND disease than to turn a blind eye and hope they're not having sex.
As a spin-off.
What were you taught and raised to believe? Were you taught that abstinence is the answer? Or safe sex was the better approach? My first four years of life were hell...I was raised by a high school mom who would rather have more sex and more babies than give me a safe and nurturing environment. I was finally taken away and adopted by my mom's parents (my grandparents). My mom (grandmother) basically told me I should wait until I was 18, but if I ever thought I'd need the pill to be sure and let her know a full month ahead of time! LOL!
Did you have sex in your teens? I did...I was 15...I just wanted to do it to 'get it over with and out of the way' as if it virginity was just something to get rid of. I didn't really even do it much after that! My Senior year I was in LOVE... I used the 'bad periods' to get on the pill and my mom let me...she NEVER asked me about sex, just got my pills for me. I was so relieved because I'd never heard of Planned Parenthood so I didn't have that option. I'll find some way to make sure my kids know about it, if only so they can tell THEIR friends who may need it. Again...I'm more against teen pregnancy than I am birth control!
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I really think that pushing abstinence is unrealistic anymore!
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My personal belief is that if you aren't ready for the consequences of sex, you aren't ready to have sex.
I don't believe that it should be up to school to determine whether my child is taught abstinence or safe sex.
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