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Let’s talk about sex
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The most primal and necessary instinct for the survival of our species, sex, is also one of the greatest gifts to the human existence (especially if it’s done right). When practiced responsibly, sex can be a liberating, powerful experience and a beautifully intimate connection with another human being. We love sex, and in America, it’s everywhere. Unfortunately, comprehensive education about it is not.
In 1996, abstinence-only education was introduced into welfare reform law, and ironically enough, signed by Bill Clinton. Abstinence-only laws are strict. They stipulate that adolescents be taught that abstinence is the only acceptable behavior beyond the boundaries of marriage, regardless of age. Birth control and prophylactics can only be mentioned with relation to their failure rate.
Under the reign of the Bush administration, funding for abstinence-only education exploded. In the 2007 fiscal year, these types of programs received $176 million. Abstinence programs have received more than $1 billion in federal funds since their initial inception.
Not surprisingly, kids continue to have sex. According to a Mathematica study mandated by Congress, youths who participated in abstinence-only programs reported to have the same number of sexual partners as those who had not participated.
The study also found they were just as likely to become sexually active in high school.
The median age for their first sexual experience was also similar to those who had not participated in the programs – 14.9-years-old.
December reports from the Centers for Disease Control indicate that teen pregnancy rates have risen for the first time in 14 years. Additionally, the numbers of adolescents contracting incurable sexually transmitted infections such as genital herpes and human papilloma virus (HPV) are increasing.
Are teens just confused? While abstinence may be stressed in schools for federal funds, outside of the classroom kids are inundated with sexuality. We live in a culture that uses sex to sell everything. Just flip on the television and you’ll be bombarded with fleshy features and sexual innuendos. Sex is no longer limited to late-night cable channels; nearly the entire cast of “Grey’s Anatomy” has slept with each other on network prime time.
Adding to the confusion are the misleading messages about sex taught in the abstinence-only curriculum. In a report conducted by the House Government Reform Committee, some of the falsities found in the curriculums reviewed included: