Researchers hit 'abstinence-plus' (Heritage Foundation to Congress)

[Rose Siding]

Heritage Foundation researchers yesterday cautioned Congress against opening federal funds to "abstinence-plus" programs, because they give only lip service to abstinence messages.

A line-by-line comparison of 18 sex-education curricula shows that abstinence programs "are several galaxies removed from comprehensive sex-education programs," said Robert Rector, a welfare analyst at the conservative think tank.

The nine "authentic" abstinence programs reviewed by Heritage spent 54 percent of their time on abstinence messages, 17 percent on "healthy relationships and benefits of marriage" and no time promoting contraception.
...
Funding for abstinence education, currently at about $167 million, has more than doubled since President Bush took office and is up an additional $39 million in the fiscal 2006 budget that was released this week.

http://www.washtimes.com/national/20050208-115242-1199r.htm

..."several galaxies", several decades and a couple of dimensions removed. And didn't bush say he was cutting all the programs that didn't work.

[rodeodance]

1. the point is that the strict abstance work best (per Heritage)---and argue

that the Abstance-plus---are NOT working.


..."several galaxies", several decades and a couple of dimensions removed. And didn't bush say he was cutting all the programs that didn't work.

Your message

[Ian David]

4. Statistics (from memory)

Abstinence-only programs are somewhat effective in delaying first-time intercourse by like a year or two.

However...

Children subject to abstinence-only are many times more likely to contract STDs, engage in risky behavior, and have un-wanted pregnancies than those taught with a more rational approach.

I forget if the study was able to prove a direct causal relationship, or if the difference may have been with the demographics that are taught abstinence-only in the first place.

[NickB79]

12. I've heard the same statistics

That it delays loss of virginity for ~18 months, on average. However, since the average teenager today has sex at ~age 17 or so, that means someone in an abstinence-only class will only be able to delay sex until age 19. Look at current marriage statistics; I recall reading the average US citizen gets married at age 26 today? Abstinence until marriage my ass! What you gain from abstinence is more than offset by the greatly increased risk of STD's and pregnancy after they begin having sex.

[callous taoboy]

2. O.K. so let's do Plan B-

chemically castrate each male from puberty until marriage. This will cut down on lusty thoughts as well.

<sarcasm>

[TygrBright]

3. Good Idea!!

>>chemically castrate each male from puberty until marriage. This will cut down on lusty thoughts as well<<

(cue perky music)

"Saltpeter--- it's what's for dinner!"

helpfully,
Bright

[VegasWolf]

5. But then, all the girls would become lipstick lesbians! n/t

[fortyfeetunder]

9. How about plan C

If they can't imprison the mind into abstinence, how about imprisoning the body?

For example, all teenage girls have to wear chastity belts, that are locked down by a parent.

[callous taoboy]

10. Or

Have federal abstinence agents ready to jump out and yell "Boo!" anytime a teen registers on the lust meter back in the big room in Virginia.

[ret5hd]

6. ...lip service to abstinence messages...

i'm sure there's a joke there somewhere.

[reprobate]

7. Everyone's missing the most effective plan.....The aspirin tablet

....held firmly between the knees.

[ismnotwasm]

8. My dad always said a quarter...

Didn't work for me somehow...

[cap]

11. how are you going to know what to do when you get married????

for gosh sakes, are we trying to have 10 kids?

[American Renaissance]

13. since when?

Since when did the Heritage Foundation care about sex education?