Beyond School

9 Comments

1. Penelope
   Posted May 8, 2008 at 11:31 pm | Permalink

   Heh.

   On a more serious note, how about all the data that shows that abstinence-only programs have NO effect (positive or negative) on teen sexual behavior.

   Ouch.

2. Clay Burell
   Posted May 9, 2008 at 12:14 am | Permalink

   @Penelope, Oh, you had to go there.

   I’m sure you heard the research findings about Abstinence Only / “Virginity Pledgers”, but just in case:

   Because pledgers typically delayed sexual activity, had fewer sexual partners and married earlier than nonpledgers, the researchers “looked for explanations” as to why the differences in STD rates were not statistically significant, Bearman said, the Times reports (Washington Times, 3/19). The gap between pledgers and nonpledgers for high-risk behavior was statistically significant, with 2% of virgins who did not pledge reporting engaging in anal or oral sex, compared with 13% of those who did pledge (Washington Post, 3/19). According to Bruckner, the pledgers’ increased likelihood of substituting oral or anal sex for vaginal intercourse puts them at risk of contracting STDs, according to Bruckner. Among virgins, boys who had pledged abstinence were four times as likely to have engaged in anal sex as those who did not pledge, and pledgers overall were six times as likely to have engaged in oral sex as teens who were virgins but did not take a pledge, the study found. In addition, teens who made virginity pledges were less likely to use condoms during their first sexual experience and were less likely to get tested for STDs, the study found (Detroit Free Press, 3/19).

   Interesting reaction from conservatives claiming abstinence-only is “hugely successful”:

   “Not only do virginity pledges not work to keep our young people safe, they are causing harm by undermining condom use, contraception and medical treatment,” William Smith, policy director at the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States, said (Washington Times, 3/19). Deborah Roffman, an educator and author, said that teens who take virginity pledges “are often undereducated about sexual health” and will engage in oral or anal sex because they do not consider it “real sex,” according to the Post (Washington Post, 3/19). However, Leslee Unruh, president of the National Abstinence Clearinghouse, called the study “bogus” and said that the supposed pledgers had not pledged true abstinence, which forbids oral and anal sex (AP/Long Island Newsday, 3/18). Robert Rector, an analyst at the Heritage Institute, said that the study overlooked previous findings about teens who take virginity pledges — including that they usually have fewer pregnancies and out-of-wedlock births — adding that the programs are “hugely successful” in those areas (Washington Post, 3/19). (Source: Medical News Today

   In other words, it makes them kinky and diseased, but at least they ain’t gettin’ knocked up.

3. Tom
   Posted May 9, 2008 at 12:41 am | Permalink

   Anal? Really? Oy.

   Toms last blog post..It’s Teacher Depreciation Week!

4. Clay Burell
   Posted May 9, 2008 at 1:03 am | Permalink

   @Tom: I just hope nobody shoots the messenger.

   Here I was, trying to have some innocent, fluffy fun, and Penelope has to go and make me get all deep and stuff. (Do NOT spin a pun from that last sentence!)

5. Clay Burell
   Posted May 9, 2008 at 1:05 am | Permalink

   @Tom, Penelope: And don’t you LOVE that conservative woman’s argument that they weren’t REAL virginity pledgers? I wonder how many schismatic denominations have formed over the interpretation of “real” pledgers.

6. Penelope
   Posted May 9, 2008 at 2:21 am | Permalink

   Clay- I just have this urge whenever the topic comes up to shout at people about it. When it comes to abstinence-only sex ed. and pledges, I start thinking about another good Einstein quote:

   “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

   —
   On a lighter note, your talk of “real” pledgers gave me a mental image of a frat schism over proper methods of hazing pledges.

7. Clay Burell
   Posted May 9, 2008 at 2:34 am | Permalink

   @Penelope, As a mortal enemy of the herd instinct in humans, I can only hope that the virgins with STD’s fill the ranks of those fraternities and sororities you blacken this page by mentioning. (Everybody has their pet peeves. For those of you who are Phi Delta This or Kuppa Goo That, my apologies. There are always exceptions.)

8. diane
   Posted May 9, 2008 at 6:09 am | Permalink

   I can see why our school filter blocked this posting: imagine using the words “promiscuity” and “abstinence” in polite company! What were you thinking?

   Now would those conservatives be people like the gentlemen (and I use the term very loosely) mentioned on this website?
   http://tinyurl.com/6qjl4s

   dianes last blog post..Happy Birthday to Me!

9. Kaelie
   Posted May 17, 2008 at 9:34 am | Permalink

   That is possibly the most amazing quote ever. EVER. Like, how true? I’m definitely going to have a smile for the rest of the night. So what would you say if I told you I was going to be in a sorority?

   Kaelie

   p.s. I am totally kidding. I just wanted to give you a near heart attack.
   Kaelies last blog post..Letter To A Doll