Is Comprehensive “Sex Ed contradictory to teaching Abstinence?
No. The programs emphasize that the only 100% effective way to prevent unintended pregnancy and/or STIs is to abstain. No one can really argue that point. Teaching about ways to reduce risks for those who are already sexually active and/or who do not abstain doesn’t discourage teens from abstaining, and in this case “knowledge is power.” Talking about the statistics (“not everybody is doing it”) and talking about the risks may actually increase a youth’s intentions to remain chaste, and learning better communication skills and ways to refuse and/or to delay may actually enable teens to carry through on that intention. Sexuality education that blends strong abstinence messages with information on how to make responsible decisions to protect one’s health is balanced. In a report by Erika Philips of Kansas State University comparing abstinence-only sexuality courses with comprehensive sexuality instruction, only evidence-based programs that combined medically accurate information at an ag
Related Questions
- Is it fair that abstinence education receives federal funding, but comprehensive sex education receives no federal funding?
- Are comprehensive sexuality education programs that teach students about both abstinence and contraception effective?
- Is Comprehensive "Sex Ed contradictory to teaching Abstinence?
