Abstinence only: interesting findings

jillio · 01-03-2009, 09:26 AM

Researcher Janet Rosenblaum, of Johns Hopkins, completed a rigorous study comparing teens who took a pledge of abstinence to teens with similar backgrounds and beliefs who did not take a pledge of abstinence. She found absolutely no difference in their sexual behavior, or the age at which they began having sex, or in the number of their partners. In fact, the only difference found (aside from aparent memory loss experienced by the pledge taking group

) was that those who took a pledge of abstinence were significantly less likely to use any form of birth control when they did engage in sex. The lesson many students took away from their "abstinence only" education was a negative and innaccurate view of contraception.

Here is the point of this: "virginity pledges" are the one of the ways the government measures whether abstinence only education is working. They count these pledges as "proof" that teens will abstain from sex until marraige. According to the results of this study, and the rates of unmarried, teen preganancy, that is like using a New Year's Resolution to diet as proof that you lost 75 pounds.

Over the last 8 years, we have spent a total of $1.5 billion in federal funds on these abstinence only programs. As stated by Rosenblaum, "Abstinence only education is required to give innacurrate information." There is an archive of literature supporting the fact that abstinence only does not work. When are we going to start putting funds towards programs that do?

Babyblue · 01-03-2009, 09:36 AM

I agree, teaching abstinence only
Means they have no use for contraception. So when their hormones starts to act up and memory loss of their pledge takes place.

They are totally unprepared. Leading to more STDs and unwanted pregnancy.

Teaching contraception and prevention. Along with abstinence. Is what needs to be taught.

**Beowulf** · 01-03-2009, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jillio

Researcher Janet Rosenblaum, of Johns Hopkins, completed a rigorous study comparing teens who took a pledge of abstinence to teens with similar backgrounds and beliefs who did not take a pledge of abstinence. She found absolutely no difference in their sexual behavior, or the age at which they began having sex, or in the number of their partners. In fact, the only difference found (aside from aparent memory loss experienced by the pledge taking group

) was that those who took a pledge of abstinence were significantly less likely to use any form of birth control when they did engage in sex. The lesson many students took away from their "abstinence only" education was a negative and innaccurate view of contraception.

Here is the point of this: "virginity pledges" are the one of the ways the government measures whether abstinence only education is working. They count these pledges as "proof" that teens will abstain from sex until marraige. According to the results of this study, and the rates of unmarried, teen preganancy, that is like using a New Year's Resolution to diet as proof that you lost 75 pounds.

Over the last 8 years, we have spent a total of $1.5 billion in federal funds on these abstinence only programs. As stated by Rosenblaum, "Abstinence only education is required to give innacurrate information." There is an archive of literature supporting the fact that abstinence only does not work. When are we going to start putting funds towards programs that do?

I saw this discussed on television a few days ago, and I agree it is full of irony. On a similar note, when someone's unemployment benefits run out, the government considers it proof that the person is back on the workforce. Madness.

**deafskeptic** · 01-03-2009, 02:12 PM

If I were a parent, I'd rather have my children remain virgins forever but I haven't forgotten what it was like to be a teenager so I'm not for abstaince only.

lsfoster · 01-04-2009, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deafskeptic

If I were a parent, I'd rather have my children remain virgins forever but I haven't forgotten what it was like to be a teenager so I'm not for abstaince only.

I hope my kids aren't virgins forever.

I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

**shel90** · 01-04-2009, 11:31 AM

So people who preach abstinence only are against birth control or think that by teaching teenagers about birth control will encourage them to have sex?

Byrdie714 · 01-04-2009, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsfoster

I hope my kids aren't virgins forever.

I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

**deafskeptic** · 01-04-2009, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsfoster

I hope my kids aren't virgins forever.

I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

Lol. Ya have a point there. Some parents can't accept their kids are growing up...

**KarissaMann05** · 01-04-2009, 06:56 PM

Memory loss? Ha! I don't lost so many memory at all. =/

That explains why non-virgins feel sorry for those virgins and think they should have a sex. Even they mock them for their virginity.

Whatever. =/

Gosh, I hate it when they try to encourage me to have it and insist me that sex is so heathy and virginity don't. Ugh...

Mockingbird · 01-04-2009, 08:28 PM

I don't see what so many people see in abstinence only education in the bible belt. Teens are going to have sex whether or not Granny Smith in sex ed 101 tells you you're going to hell and you'll end up pregnant and get the clap so many times it turns into applause if you do it before you're married. Abstinence only does nothing but denies teens information that they desperately need to know about from the only reliable and largely apathetic system, public ed.

**shel90** · 01-04-2009, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mockingbird

I don't see what so many people see in abstinence only education in the bible belt. Teens are going to have sex whether or not Granny Smith in sex ed 101 tells you you're going to hell and you'll end up pregnant and get the clap so many times it turns into applause if you do it before you're married. Abstinence only does nothing but denies teens information that they desperately need to know about from the only reliable and largely apathetic system, public ed.

David · 01-04-2009, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mockingbird

I don't see what so many people see in abstinence only education in the bible belt. Teens are going to have sex whether or not Granny Smith in sex ed 101 tells you you're going to hell and you'll end up pregnant and get the clap so many times it turns into applause if you do it before you're married. Abstinence only does nothing but denies teens information that they desperately need to know about from the only reliable and largely apathetic system, public ed.

When I was 16, my dad told me that if I have premarital sex, I would go to hell. When I had my first sexual experience at 23, my first thought was, "Wow. That would have been worth going to hell for."

I've known for many years; kids will have sex no matter what parents think about it. Its part of life. In my opinion, its best to teach them how to properly use birth control, but to hold out just a little longer for that special someone.

Byrdie714 · 01-04-2009, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

When I was 16, my dad told me that if I have premarital sex, I would go to hell. When I had my first sexual experience at 23, my first thought was, "Wow. That would have been worth going to hell for."
I've known for many years; kids will have sex no matter what parents think about it. Its part of life. In my opinion, its best to teach them how to properly use birth control, but to hold out just a little longer for that special someone.

**shel90** · 01-04-2009, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

When I was 16, my dad told me that if I have premarital sex, I would go to hell. When I had my first sexual experience at 23, my first thought was, "Wow. That would have been worth going to hell for."

I've known for many years; kids will have sex no matter what parents think about it. Its part of life. In my opinion, its best to teach them how to properly use birth control, but to hold out just a little longer for that special someone.

Yea, I committed so many sins having sex but hey, life is short and sex is FUN!

I agree with you about teaching the kids how to use BC and to try to encourage them to hold out a little longer because having sex for the first time with someone special is probably something wonderful. It didnt happen for me as my first time was a drunken one night stand with one of my classmates. It really sucked and I wish I didnt go for it. Oh well...

Tousi · 01-04-2009, 11:45 PM

Sounds like that 1.5 billion bucks coulda went to something more worthwhile.

***naisho*** · 01-04-2009, 11:50 PM

Your tax dollars at work..

SeanB · 01-05-2009, 02:36 AM

I think its time parents and the conservative right stop opposing sex and health curriculums at schools as they are falsely viewed as porn education. The facts need to be heard and straightened out by health professionals, and throw out the stork and friend's irresponsible ideas about sexuality.

lsfoster · 01-05-2009, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarissaMann05

Memory loss? Ha! I don't lost so many memory at all. =/

That explains why non-virgins feel sorry for those virgins and think they should have a sex. Even they mock them for their virginity.

Whatever. =/

Gosh, I hate it when they try to encourage me to have it and insist me that sex is so heathy and virginity don't. Ugh...

I hope you don't think I was mocking, it really was just a joke. I would never try to make any claims about how "healthy" virginity vs. sexual activity is, there are just too many factors. I do think that abstinence only education is an awful idea. It almost never works, and usually just creates misconceptions and misunderstandings about sex and the issues surrounding it. If someone is actually educated about the topic and chooses not to have sex, then more power to them. I have plenty of friends that are virgins for a bunch of different reasons, and as far as I'm concerned, that's up to them.

I do have to say, though, I would never tell anyone (my friends, my children, etc...) that they should be virgins when they are married. There's a whole bunch of reasons that I disagree with that idea.

**KarissaMann05** · 01-05-2009, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsfoster

I hope you don't think I was mocking, it really was just a joke. I would never try to make any claims about how "healthy" virginity vs. sexual activity is, there are just too many factors. I do think that abstinence only education is an awful idea. It almost never works, and usually just creates misconceptions and misunderstandings about sex and the issues surrounding it. If someone is actually educated about the topic and chooses not to have sex, then more power to them. I have plenty of friends that are virgins for a bunch of different reasons, and as far as I'm concerned, that's up to them.

I do have to say, though, I would never tell anyone (my friends, my children, etc...) that they should be virgins when they are married. There's a whole bunch of reasons that I disagree with that idea.

I just posted generally it, so I was not talked to only you.

jillio · 01-05-2009, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

When I was 16, my dad told me that if I have premarital sex, I would go to hell. When I had my first sexual experience at 23, my first thought was, "Wow. That would have been worth going to hell for."

I've known for many years; kids will have sex no matter what parents think about it. Its part of life. In my opinion, its best to teach them how to properly use birth control, but to hold out just a little longer for that special someone.

And well said!

jillio · 01-05-2009, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tousi

Sounds like that 1.5 billion bucks coulda went to something more worthwhile.

No doubt.

**deafskeptic** · 01-05-2009, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

When I was 16, my dad told me that if I have premarital sex, I would go to hell. When I had my first sexual experience at 23, my first thought was, "Wow. That would have been worth going to hell for."

I've known for many years; kids will have sex no matter what parents think about it. Its part of life. In my opinion, its best to teach them how to properly use birth control, but to hold out just a little longer for that special someone.

I'm no expectation to this rule. I haven't forgotten how my father reacted when he found out that I slept with my BF though. Some parents have a hard time accepting that their kids are growing up.

Babyblue · 01-05-2009, 05:00 PM

My mom just told me the truth.

Told me about STDs. Pregnancy and the consequences of pre marital sex.

And taught me about using condoms and other birth control methods.

She also said it is best to wait til I get married.

**Jolie77** · 01-05-2009, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

When I was 16, my dad told me that if I have premarital sex, I would go to hell. When I had my first sexual experience at 23, my first thought was, "Wow. That would have been worth going to hell for."

I've known for many years; kids will have sex no matter what parents think about it. Its part of life. In my opinion, its best to teach them how to properly use birth control, but to hold out just a little longer for that special someone.

Haha!

I agree, I'd rather have my kids be educated about sex and stuffs related to it than them being so naive about it. If these parents wants their kids to be so naive about it, they have something else coming their way.

**Jiro** · 01-05-2009, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babyblue

My mom just told me the truth.

Told me about STDs. Pregnancy and the consequences of pre marital sex.

And taught me about using condoms and other birth control methods.

She also said it is best to wait til I get married.

did you?

Babyblue · 01-05-2009, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiro

did you?

Nope!!

I was 17. But I damn sure made him wear a condom.

**Jiro** · 01-05-2009, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babyblue

Nope!!

I was 17. But I damn sure made him wear a condom.

there you go. Something that Bristol & Levi should have learned, huh?

boom goes the headshot

Babyblue · 01-05-2009, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiro

there you go. Something that Bristol & Levi should have learned, huh?

boom goes the headshot

Har, ha, har!

Something ALL people with unwanted pregnancy should have learned.

Not just the famous of the famous.

The point is all youngen's should be educated.

Jiro. Let's keep your specific opinion to the specific thread.

**Jiro** · 01-05-2009, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babyblue

Har, ha, har!

Something ALL people with unwanted pregnancy should have learned.

Not just the famous of the famous.

The point is all youngen's should be educated.

Jiro. Let's keep your specific opinion to the specific thread.

that was targeted to Palin because she preaches of this and that..... and it just got backfired at her. Proof's out there that abstinence program does not works and it never worked for decades. Yes mistake will happen despite of extensive sex education but certainly LOT less than abstinence program!

Babyblue · 01-05-2009, 08:42 PM

Don't get me wrong.

But I just thought taking a cheap shot in a thread that has no place for your political opinion regarding Palin's child is a bit tacky.

01-03-2009, 09:26 AM	#1 (permalink)
jillio Banned Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 60,296	Abstinence only: interesting findings Researcher Janet Rosenblaum, of Johns Hopkins, completed a rigorous study comparing teens who took a pledge of abstinence to teens with similar backgrounds and beliefs who did not take a pledge of abstinence. She found absolutely no difference in their sexual behavior, or the age at which they began having sex, or in the number of their partners. In fact, the only difference found (aside from aparent memory loss experienced by the pledge taking group ) was that those who took a pledge of abstinence were significantly less likely to use any form of birth control when they did engage in sex. The lesson many students took away from their "abstinence only" education was a negative and innaccurate view of contraception. Here is the point of this: "virginity pledges" are the one of the ways the government measures whether abstinence only education is working. They count these pledges as "proof" that teens will abstain from sex until marraige. According to the results of this study, and the rates of unmarried, teen preganancy, that is like using a New Year's Resolution to diet as proof that you lost 75 pounds. Over the last 8 years, we have spent a total of $1.5 billion in federal funds on these abstinence only programs. As stated by Rosenblaum, "Abstinence only education is required to give innacurrate information." There is an archive of literature supporting the fact that abstinence only does not work. When are we going to start putting funds towards programs that do?

01-03-2009, 02:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
deafskeptic Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 14,512	If I were a parent, I'd rather have my children remain virgins forever but I haven't forgotten what it was like to be a teenager so I'm not for abstaince only. __________________ Left ear implanted with Med-El on April 24 2007. Activated on May 9th. Upgraded to Opus 2 9/10/2010 Think Pink. FREE JILLIO!

01-04-2009, 11:31 AM	#6 (permalink)
shel90 Let It Snow!!!! Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: A place where crabs are popular Posts: 40,290 Blog Entries: 3	So people who preach abstinence only are against birth control or think that by teaching teenagers about birth control will encourage them to have sex? __________________ "Wine improves with age. The older I get, the better I like it." --- Anonymous

01-04-2009, 06:56 PM	#9 (permalink)
KarissaMann05 Premium Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Salem, Oregon Posts: 6,381	Memory loss? Ha! I don't lost so many memory at all. =/ That explains why non-virgins feel sorry for those virgins and think they should have a sex. Even they mock them for their virginity. Whatever. =/ Gosh, I hate it when they try to encourage me to have it and insist me that sex is so heathy and virginity don't. Ugh... __________________ "Pragmatic language is a vital social skill that enables the school-aged child to navigate their way through demanding social situations." -- R. Owens

01-04-2009, 11:50 PM	#16 (permalink)
*naisho* Forum Disorders M.D.,Ph.D Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: 127.0.0.1 Posts: 6,161	Your tax dollars at work.. __________________

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01-03-2009, 09:36 AM	#2 (permalink)
Babyblue Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 11,999	I agree, teaching abstinence only Means they have no use for contraception. So when their hormones starts to act up and memory loss of their pledge takes place. They are totally unprepared. Leading to more STDs and unwanted pregnancy. Teaching contraception and prevention. Along with abstinence. Is what needs to be taught.

01-04-2009, 08:28 PM	#10 (permalink)
Mockingbird Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: USA Posts: 237	I don't see what so many people see in abstinence only education in the bible belt. Teens are going to have sex whether or not Granny Smith in sex ed 101 tells you you're going to hell and you'll end up pregnant and get the clap so many times it turns into applause if you do it before you're married. Abstinence only does nothing but denies teens information that they desperately need to know about from the only reliable and largely apathetic system, public ed.

01-04-2009, 11:45 PM	#15 (permalink)
Tousi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 15,731	Sounds like that 1.5 billion bucks coulda went to something more worthwhile.

01-05-2009, 02:36 AM	#17 (permalink)
SeanB Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 723	I think its time parents and the conservative right stop opposing sex and health curriculums at schools as they are falsely viewed as porn education. The facts need to be heard and straightened out by health professionals, and throw out the stork and friend's irresponsible ideas about sexuality.

01-05-2009, 05:00 PM	#23 (permalink)
Babyblue Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 11,999	My mom just told me the truth. Told me about STDs. Pregnancy and the consequences of pre marital sex. And taught me about using condoms and other birth control methods. She also said it is best to wait til I get married.

01-05-2009, 08:42 PM	#30 (permalink)
Babyblue Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 11,999	Don't get me wrong. But I just thought taking a cheap shot in a thread that has no place for your political opinion regarding Palin's child is a bit tacky.

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