In the article, the author suggests that an "abstinence-only" policy that was supported by Bush Jr. could be a cause for this, simply because where abstinence only is preached, instruction about the use of contraceptives is non-existent.
Now I am sure there are some other attributes the author is not considering, nor have been uncovered as to why the abortions/pregnancies has increased, but let's for today's discussion, just assume that the main reason for the increase is due to government policy on education of intercourse and teenagers....
I'm going to be completely transparent here: I don't have a firm opinion either way, but I can see the difficulties and dangers of enforcing an "abstinence-only" policy. Simply for the fact that if kids cross that "abstinence-only" line and choose to end their celibacy, they will not be prepared on how to handle the intercourse. Why would someone use contraceptives when they haven't been told to use contraceptives as a method to be better safe than sorry?
I'm really not trying to stir the waters here....But I just struggle with trying to enforce a Christian-based ethic such as abstinence-only on the rest of the secular world, simply because there seem to me to be some limitations in the practicality of the theory.
On one hand, the amount of intercourse amongst teenagers would definitely be on the decrease (in theory) if abstinence-only is preached. However, it seems that the likely-hood of teenage pregnancy and abortion could potentially increase by the same message.
I really am torn here. What do you guys think?
4 comments:
Joel
As tempting as it may be to teach contraception to kids to keep them out of trouble, it's never okay to say "Here's how you can get away with it."
LD
I think the missing link in the abstinence education bit is something that New Beginnings (Apo Pro-life/ child welfare/ int'l orphan care non-profit) is keying in on.
We are keying on a program we are calling "Decisions, Options, and Choices".
The idea is that teenagers generally need the facts about what happens if you decide to not be abstinent. We review the options of parenting, abortion and adoption.
For instance...did you know that 90% of teen mothers are on welfare within 5 years. 80% of the time the father is not in the picture; 80% of male federal inmates were raised in fatherless homes ...
every woman having a chemical abortion is essentially a test subject and RU-486 (drug used for chemical abortion) causes sterility and massive amounts internal hemoraging 73% of the time... It's the idea of sex isn't just to be abstained from, if you've not abstained there are some serious decisions you will face...
New Beginnings is currently teaching this program in TN and MS and will soon be teaching a similar program at ladies conferences around the country...the hope is that knowledge about the decisions has an impact...
Another interesting stat for to think about...statistically...out of the 18,000 attendees at YC, according to the statistics for conservative evangelical populations, 1600 of the girls that attended will have an abortion...
www.newbeginningsadoptions.org
A few points:
With respect to Stanton's post: 9% WOW! Fits in with this paper: http://www.reproductive-health-journal.com/content/6/1/14
2. One data point does not a tried make.
3. As a church we don't talk about sex much. This may just be a USA thing (see video from a youth class in one of our churches in Singapore http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y77b9mUxpVA). If we don't teach our children, why would we expect them to make good calls? I can remember only one sermon on the topic in the last decade and nothing from when I was in the youth group. I know we don't like to think of our kids and ... at the same time, much like they don't like thinking of their parents and ... at the same time; but we need to live in the real world. This is some thing we need to talk to our kids about as parents and as a church.
4. In late grade school and on, they are not toddlers and we are going to half to start trusting them to use their brain. To do that we must tell them all the facts not just the convenient ones.
At our church, we absolutely talk about these subjects, and not just in youth activities, but preached during messages. We also have sessions every year where these issues are taught in depth to the youth. There are also sessions for the younger kids (10-12 yrs old). It's awesome to see how many of our youth really internalize this for themselves. (And if you think that's impressive for them to wait until marriage... We teach that everything - meaning kissing, hand holding, etc... - is reserved until marriage.) "It is good for a man not to touch a woman." (1 Cor 7:1)
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