Why teens need condoms

From the Community…

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  Posted by binnphoenix Tue Jun 23, 2009 10:05am PDT

  When one in four teen girls carries a STD now with the most recent statistic, unwanted pregnancy is the least of parent's worries right now. Of course, condoms will be available to my teens. I do not want them to suffer from cancer, (because they got HPV from someone as a teen), because I was unwilling to talk about sex and teach them safe sex practices. (My source for statistic: http://health.usnews.com/usnews/health/healthday/080311/one-in-4-teen-girls-has-a-sexually-transmitted-disease.htm)

  Why blame the last presidential administration? Because research had shown prior to his arrival that abstinence-only education resulted in more unwanted teen pregnancies than actual sexual education. Yet he refused to give money to schools that taught sexual education. (As well as dismantling many family planning clinics around the world, including in the U.S.) He continually raised the issue and mocked science and now we are dealing with the consequences as more and more kids get pregnant and get STDs. Kids start their sexual experiences earlier than even the kids in my generation did. (I am 24. There was a daycare for students in my high school.) I am talking 6th grade when oral sex starts and when little girls have said "I have to do this to make him keep liking me" Speaking with other young adults that had to deal with "abstinence-only sexual education" many lies were spread to these youth. Many parents refuse to teach these things to their children, resulting in 1 in 4 teen girls with an STD and teen pregnancies. Ignorant parenting coupled with lies that are spread through abstinence-only education only asks for trouble and for these statistics to rise. I hope that my children will hold off on having sex, but they will know before middle school what sex is, that oral sex is sex too, (I have met 18 year old girls who have partaken in oral sex over 20 times as well as anal sex yet still called themselves virgins. This is not true and a man will not see it that way either. It is screwy logic.) and as they get older or if the need arises teach them about protection and birth control and even hold mock "how to say no" scenarios if I have to. Self esteem will be taught so that they know they do not have to give in to boys or girls to be popular or to have someone like them. They will also know how to obtain condoms and birth control for free if they feel they can not come to me for help.

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  Posted by Sensi Tue Jun 23, 2009 11:38am PDT

  Even good parents who educate their kids about sex and let them know they are available to talk about it still have kids who have babies.

  Teens are going to do what teens want to do no matter how hard parents try to instill good values.

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  Posted by binnphoenix Tue Jun 23, 2009 12:16pm PDT

  I am prepared to handle a grandchild that comes too soon, but the death of a child, because of unsafe sex, I am not prepared for. I know that even with all the preaching and teaching in the world, some kids do not listen and do what they want to do anyway, but I will try my best. The numbers show that education gives the best chance at prevention, so that is the road my family will travel.

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  Posted by cindy loo-hoo Tue Jun 23, 2009 12:26pm PDT

  "Dr." Katz, you need to check your facts. Abstinence only programs ARE effective. This article describes one study http://www.heritage.org/Research/Abstinence/wm738.cfm, and in it are references to other studies showing this effectiveness. Where is your evidence of abstinence-only programs' ineffectiveness? Nowhere. It's your opinion, and it's inaccurrate.

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  Posted by mac Tue Jun 23, 2009 3:29pm PDT

  The problem here is the the sexual activity needs to be planned so that the contraceptives will be handy. How many here can honestly say that none of their sexual encounters were spur of the moment. I am not talking on night stands, but in a relationship you dont always plan on being intimate, it just happens sometimes. If a teenager gets in this situation, will he be ready with a condom, I doubt it. You can always be ready for abstinence.

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  Posted by Jheanell Tue Jun 23, 2009 4:24pm PDT

  Ok! let's just point out the fact that no matter what is done, kids will continue to have sex. Considering all the glorification of sex in today's media, there is no escaping it. It is all around them: TV, music(music videos). It's not like things are done and said subtly. What is all comes down to is that the parents have to do their part. Growing up my parents never said much to me regarding the subject. Most of what I learned was through school or my own curiosity. Having sex education, not just abstinance taught in school is very beneficial and it is a necessity. In my line of work, I see too many young people pregnant and getting STDs. I agree 100% with making condoms available in high school and making sex education mandatory! As for middle schools, Health classes should be offer which includes info on sex, eating healthy, peer pressure, drinking etc...Knowledge is power and at least if some of theses children know what they are getting themselves into, they may either refrain from sexual activity period or they will know what to do to protect themselves if they do decide to have sex!!

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  Posted by Angela Tue Jun 23, 2009 9:39pm PDT

  This is easily the best link, from the Committee on OVERSIGHTE AND GOVERNMENT REFORM, proving abstinence only education not only doesn't work, it ripped tax payers off for HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

  http://74.6.239.67/search/cache?ei=UTF-8&p=Abstinence+only+education+ineffective&fr=yfp-t-501&u=oversight.house.gov/features/politics_and_science/example_abstinence.htm&w=abstinence+only+education+educate+ineffective&d=BWspGRlMTAWj&icp=1&.intl=us

  Here's one from ABC news explaining the study Congress did proving abstinence only education doesn't work:

  http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Sex/story?id=3048738

  Here's another one, saying that's in not just ineffective, it's TOTALLY FAILED TEENS:

  http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2008581338_opin02goodman.html?referrer=digg

  It's a well known FACT that abstinence only doesn't work and never has. That subject has been a blog topic here more than once. You're on the internet. Look it up yourself next time.

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  Posted by pitcher lady Thu Jun 25, 2009 8:39am PDT

  look be safe then sorry we will have sex if we want to so why shouldnt it be safe. i mean its gay

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  Posted by An Artist for God Fri Jun 26, 2009 12:41pm PDT

  The problem is this: People are not raising their children to fear God. No one teaches their children to respect the 10 Commandments of God. One of those is Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery. The solution to teen pregnancy and STD's and all the other horrible afflictions that having sex with strangers or casual sex out of marriage is not condoms. This country has lost its very soul. STDs and teen pregnancy is a curse on those who do not wisely consider the rules that the Lord God of Heaven and earth has laid out for us. These guidelines are to keep us from sin and keep us blessed. Teach your children in the way that they should go. Obey God's laws and there will be no afflictions on you.

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