Teach Abstinence or Safe Sex?

[TheloniousMONK]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-585546,00.html

So... the question is: should schools, government, and celebrities teach abstinence or safe sex? Perhaps neither?

[MarijuanaClock]

both

[Spike-J-Wolfwood]

Safe sex. Ignorance can have disastrous results. If two teens want to have sex they’re going too regardless of what others tell them. At least this way they know not to get pregnant and are on the lookout for disease.

[Freakapotimus]

There really is no "safe sex" - many people have begun to call it "safer sex." But I understand what you mean.

Both should be taught. I think if you don't add abstinence to the lesson plans, you leave out a section of students who don't want to have sex. People have to realize that you don't HAVE to have sex, and that remaining abstinent can be a choice that's right for him/her at that point in time.

Schools and parents and students should be talking about abstinence, chastity, oral sex, masturbation (individual and mutual), condoms, sexuality, AIDS, STDs, and many other things that don't get talked about. I'm not an advocate of teaching 2nd graders about different sexual positions; different things should be taught at different ages, when the kids are ready for it.

[NEMESiSZ]

Abstinence, kids really shouldn't be having sex in like...8th grade.

[karasz]

At 2/21/03 10:53 AM, NEMESiSZ wrote: Abstinence, kids really shouldn't be having sex in like...8th grade.

I thought sex ed was taught in 9th and up... but hey, although THEY SHOULDNT be haveing sex, many people's first time is when they are like 13-14... which is 8th grade...

[JMHX]

At 2/21/03 10:53 AM, NEMESiSZ wrote: Abstinence, kids really shouldn't be having sex in like...8th grade.

I completely agree. Abstinence is the way to go to keep people safe and in line and all that fun stuff the government and education tries to do.

[karasz]

At 2/21/03 10:53 AM, NEMESiSZ wrote: Abstinence, kids really shouldn't be having sex in like...8th grade.

you're right but they are... and throughout high school people will be having sex so i mean abstinence isnt really that great of an idea...

[Slizor]

How can you teach abstinence and safe sex? How can you teach abstinence?

"Don't have sex, sex is bad mmmkay"

[Kemamine]

Schools should teach both in different ways. Abstinence is the only way to completely prevent pregnancy and STD's, but most people are going to have sex no matter what they learn in sex ed. Schools should also teach safe sex/birth control methods as something expected in a sexual relationship. If people grow up with propaganda about abstinence in their heads, and completely ignorany about birth control devices (condoms, pills, etc.) then if they have sex they could get pregnant or contract an STD. Sex education should teach both and give students the honest truth about sex.

[implodinggoat]

School should teach neither it is none of their fucking bussiness.

[Ted-Easton]

Safe sex, definitely.
Schools have no right to try and teach abstinance, and to promote it, as the time for when to have sex is a personal and moral decision. A school can no more teach abstinance than they can what is right and wrong, which are personal decisions.
People at age 13-14 have as much right to intercourse as 20-40 year olds. Making 18 an arbitrary point where when they become one day older, they are suddenly ready is a stupid idea.

Most of you have probably heard my ideas on personal ID cards with data on allowed activities, so I won't write about them again.

Society has no place in the bedrooms of the populace.

[JMHX]

At 2/21/03 05:01 PM, implodinggoat wrote: School should teach neither it is none of their fucking business.

He makes a good point. Is the debate more towards teaching abstinence/safe sex or whether schools should be teaching it at all? Is it something reserved for the parents? I've never really thought so, but I sort of grew to accept having crazy old women come to class as a child and tell us about babies.
However, my younger sister attended a Ruth Lilly school-sponsored sex education program where they gave proper instructions on how to give oral sex. To 9 year olds. Come on. That's a bit...wrong

[punkrocksknot]

I'm 14 and I think that the best way to get this stuff out to everyone is though televison... Though cartoons like the simpsons or something. Do it in a funny kinda way but it has get the point across. Abstance is better to promote but kids are going to be kids so promting safer sex would be ideal also.

[JMHX]

At 2/21/03 06:35 PM, punkrocksknot wrote: I'm 14 and I think that the best way to get this stuff out to everyone is though televison... Though cartoons like the simpsons or something. Do it in a funny kinda way but it has get the point across. Abstance is better to promote but kids are going to be kids so promting safer sex would be ideal also.

I don't think Fox would allow a Sex-Ed Simpsons...or perhaps they already have...I need to review my Simpsons.

[DarknessIncarnate]

At 2/21/03 06:57 PM, JudgeMeHarshX wrote:

At 2/21/03 06:35 PM, punkrocksknot wrote: I'm 14 and I think that the best way to get this stuff out to everyone is though televison... Though cartoons like the simpsons or something. Do it in a funny kinda way but it has get the point across. Abstance is better to promote but kids are going to be kids so promting safer sex would be ideal also.

I don't think Fox would allow a Sex-Ed Simpsons...or perhaps they already have...I need to review my Simpsons.

The thing is that the simpsons DON'T promote safe sex, they've never used a condom ONCE.

Anyways safe sex is the way to go, and accoding to studies, gay people are more likely to get STDs because stupid gay people put on the condom right before climax, as opposed to others people who start with the condom.

as you can see, i AM talking about gay males, and this is a 5/6 thing, so you may be the 1/6 safe sex gay male

[JMHX]

Anyways safe sex is the way to go, and accoding to studies, gay people are more likely to get STDs because stupid gay people put on the condom right before climax, as opposed to others people who start with the condom.

SHEATH IT BEFORE OR DON'T DO IT! What's the point in putting it on right before climax? YOU'RE GAY! You won't have children! Don't make yourself so susceptable to STD's! If you're gonna stain the sheets, cover yourself right.

[Kemamine]

At 2/21/03 05:01 PM, implodinggoat wrote: School should teach neither it is none of their fucking bussiness.

But that doesn't make sense. If kids don't get sex talks from their parents and pick up all their information about sex from TV shows, then they will be completely ignorant of the dangers involved in sex. Some people argue that the American education system is bullshit and they don't teach kids what they really need to learn. Well safe sex is something that kids can use no matter what kind of job they get, and it could help keep their lives on track. For a poor kid in a broken home who only sees the pleasure of sex on TV, sex ed can be the most helpful course he'll ever take. And to stay on topic, both abstinence and safe sex should be taught, but with an emphasis on safe sex and STD's.

[JMHX]

But that doesn't make sense. If kids don't get sex talks from their parents and pick up all their information about sex from TV shows, then they will be completely ignorant of the dangers involved in sex.

Very valid point you made. It's difficult to figure the balances between school education and what parents should say.

Some people argue that the American education system is bullshit and they don't teach kids what they really need to learn. Well safe sex is something that kids can use no matter what kind of job they get, and it could help keep their lives on track.

I find myself again in complete agreement with you on the subject.

For a poor kid in a broken home who only sees the pleasure of sex on TV, sex ed can be the most helpful course he'll ever take. And to stay on topic, both abstinence and safe sex should be taught, but with an emphasis on safe sex and STD's.

I feel better after having read this and had a chance to state my complete agreement. This is one of the most intelligent posts I've read on the subject, and I've read many throughout the various boards I've traversed.

[Sweden-Forever]

fuck you ed.... then why go to school at all?

[agent66]

I was so horny when I was a teenager that I was willing to lose my life to get laid. There were plenty of times I knew I was taking risks, but I didn't care.

[semaGdniM]

Both subjects need to be taught. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER! Schools are teaching it because parents are having more and more trouble communicating with their children. I mean it's hard enough for parents to ask kids what they did in school today. Do you think they want to sit them down and talk to them about sex? It scares them. Schools teach it so parents don't have to. And sex is everyone's business. (example)If a kid is threatening to kill himself in school, a guidance counselor can get them help. The reason they teach sex is to help us. To make us aware and to make our own choices about our body.

[firehead]

I personnaly think that would have to be the parents business, but in a society where parents are often not there for their children, maybe it still is good that school make children learn about sex.

They should teach safer sex, but abstinence?
What happens when you tell a kid not to do something?
In general he'll do it anyway, so don't just tell them that sex is bad mmkay and you must not have sex.

Should they teach both, they should tell them something like : it is not advised you have sex too young but if you do, try some protection if you don't want to sabotage your life.

[JMHX]

At 2/22/03 02:31 AM, agent66 wrote: I was so horny when I was a teenager that I was willing to lose my life to get laid. There were plenty of times I knew I was taking risks, but I didn't care.

Well, there are always going to be some who don't let it get through. Thinkin' with your dick is rarely the way to go.

[LockSockClock]

the point is, when you teach abstinence, you actualy tell people sex is wrong, and it more like the goverment and schools are "making" people do and don't do excactly wath they like. i don't think an instituition like the goverment or schools has the right to proclaim when you're read, and even so, it won't stop the horny kids from doing it LOL, but if you teach ways to prevent STD's and pregnancy, it would be something they could use. You shouldn't keep teens ignorant of ways of prevention, you can say that a 13 or 14 year old has no right of sex, but even so, would you like them to get an std, or pregnant?
Still, there should be a bit of moral, not so much as
"sex is bad, hmmkay" but more like, you don't have to if you don't want to.

I go for teching awareness.

[Freakapotimus]

At 2/22/03 01:02 PM, 1312U74L17Y wrote: the point is, when you teach abstinence, you actualy tell people sex is wrong...
if you teach ways to prevent STD's and pregnancy, it would be something they could use. You shouldn't keep teens ignorant of ways of prevention...
I go for teching awareness.

I don't think that teaching abstinence necessarily implies that sex is wrong, but that there are other options. Sex is a decision to be made on a personal and private level, bringing in factors like morality, religious teachings (if any), maturity, love, lust, etc. Abstinence is the only way to prevent STDs and pregnancy, so it should be taught along with other forms of birth control.

If you are going to teach one thing about sex in schools, you should go full monty and teach everything, even stuff that's not normally taught, like masturbation. Kids are full of raging hormones, a lot of them are so horny but not ready for sex yet, so what else can they do? Safe discussions with other students and a learned adult who will not judge is a good way to start, so kids don't sit around calling masturbation "icky."

[implodinggoat]

Parents don't need to even teach their children anything about sex. This subject can be avoided totally as long as the parent teaches their child that there is more to a relationship than getting laid and that the opposite sex deserves their respect.

The whole issue evolves around respect, you must respect the opposite sex or you'll get to be about 40 and discover that you are alone, are riddled with STDs, your paycheck is being drained to pay alimony, and you get nothing more than disgusted laughs when you go out to try and find a one night stand.

Both sexes should keep from fucking anything that moves and then you won't have a problem with STDs. Girls who are sexually active should go on the pill, it is a much more effective contraceptive than a condom.

There is more to life than getting some poon tang.

[Slizor]

Both sexes should keep from fucking anything that moves and then you won't have a problem with STDs. Girls who are sexually active should go on the pill, it is a much more effective contraceptive than a condom.

Urm, the pill doesn't protect against STDs, nor does scooping cum out with a plastic spoon or any of the myths about sex. People need to be taught how to be safe, like people have to be taught not to look for a gas leak with a match. You have to catch them before they fall.

[JMHX]

At 2/22/03 02:22 PM, Slizor wrote:
Urm, the pill doesn't protect against STDs, nor does scooping cum out with a plastic spoon or any of the myths about sex. People need to be taught how to be safe, like people have to be taught not to look for a gas leak with a match. You have to catch them before they fall.

Yeah...smart sex and safe sex are the most important things you can teach someone.

[CharlieZAngeL]

i think that they should try to enforce abstence but teach safe sex, as a christian i belive that abstence is the way to go. but most teens would dissagree and they don't want to wait that long to have sex. And there isn't much we can do about it i mean. what are we gonna do, not everyone is gonna go with abstence, so they really should enforce it but always teach about safe sex because we all know there will be people out there "doing it"