Is abstinence 100 % effective ?

[Sneakerface]

Ok, the point of this thread is really, what do you think about abstinence being taught as a government policy ? How does your faith affect your views about this subject ?

I don't know this board well enough to assume whether or not folks here tend to be liberal or conservative, but IMHO promoting "abstinence only" in lieu of real sex education (by which I mean including discussion of contraception) is just wrong, and is harmful. I don't see it on the conservative / liberal spectrum, though I guess it has ended up being defined in those terms.

I think young people may tend to understand the term "abstinence" in various ways. They may decide (in their own wishful thinking, perhaps) that if it is not specifically intercourse, then it is ok (as in, other forms of sexual activity between two people) . If a female is raped, it may have still been her plan to "abstain." The "abstinence" is surely not effective in this case.

My understanding of "abstinence" of course is that what is meant is 'don't do anything' sexual at all.

So, if you're going to be that literal and technical about this issue, -- and you as a Christian believe Jesus was born of a Virgin -- then you must therefore believe that abstinence is less than 100 % effective.

 

[Macca]

Ok, the point of this thread is really, what do you think about abstinence being taught as a government policy ? How does your faith affect your views about this subject ?

I don't know this board well enough to assume whether or not folks here tend to be liberal or conservative, but IMHO promoting "abstinence only" in lieu of real sex education (by which I mean including discussion of contraception) is just wrong, and is harmful. I don't see it on the conservative / liberal spectrum, though I guess it has ended up being defined in those terms.

I think young people may tend to understand the term "abstinence" in various ways. They may decide (in their own wishful thinking, perhaps) that if it is not specifically intercourse, then it is ok (as in, other forms of sexual activity between two people) . If a female is raped, it may have still been her plan to "abstain." The "abstinence" is surely not effective in this case.

My understanding of "abstinence" of course is that what is meant is 'don't do anything' sexual at all.

So, if you're going to be that literal and technical about this issue, -- and you as a Christian believe Jesus was born of a Virgin -- then you must therefore believe that abstinence is less than 100 % effective.

Sex education, is of course, necessary; but as with many things, it is the domain of the parents to, at the proper time, (which varies from child to child) explain the way the body works, what various parts are for and are capable of.
Certainly, in my youth, sex education was shunned by many parents, because of a lack of confidence in being able to explain, and because of embarrassment, so young people learned by experimentation, which can have very painful results.
All children need to know (until they have nearly reached puberty) is a simple answer to any question they ask relating to sex. This should be asked of, and answered by the parent; but many family relationship are so fractured that the children would be fobbed off, and so rather ask their peers, who probably know no more than themselves. Then the peers pass on faulty answers, because they are no more experienced or knowledgeable about these things.
Abstinence is 100% effective if it is taught properly, in the home, until the human factor comes in. Then there is always room for mistakes, both accidental and deliberate.

 

[sbbqb7n16]

Effective for what? Sexual abstinence (100% abstinence -ie no fooling around) is as effective as it gets, much better than condoms for sure. No one can prevent rape - and condoms won't help that. Also, drug users can still get AIDS through shared needles, and abstinence (and condoms) can't stop that.

Pregnancy, assuming no one rapes or artificially inseminates the girl, then yes yes it is.

AIDS (and other STD's): In general yes, those these can still be transferred through other means.

Moral Decision-wise: Much better than the alternative, "here's a condom, go have fun!"

As a governmental policy, I think it would be terrific, but impossible to enforce. It is really needed in cultures where there is a high rate of AIDS, but people continue to sleep around and condoms are not helping the spread.

As far as I need to know abstinence, I can safely say that it is impossible for me to be a father, it is impossible for me to have any STD's, and my decisions regarding sexual relationships have been morally correct. That's the 100% effectiveness that I need.

All things considered equal - is there a better option out there?

No. There isn't.

 

[tapero]

Ok, the point of this thread is really, what do you think about abstinence being taught as a government policy ? How does your faith affect your views about this subject ?

I don't know this board well enough to assume whether or not folks here tend to be liberal or conservative, but IMHO promoting "abstinence only" in lieu of real sex education (by which I mean including discussion of contraception) is just wrong, and is harmful. I don't see it on the conservative / liberal spectrum, though I guess it has ended up being defined in those terms.

I think young people may tend to understand the term "abstinence" in various ways. They may decide (in their own wishful thinking, perhaps) that if it is not specifically intercourse, then it is ok (as in, other forms of sexual activity between two people) . If a female is raped, it may have still been her plan to "abstain." The "abstinence" is surely not effective in this case.

My understanding of "abstinence" of course is that what is meant is 'don't do anything' sexual at all.

So, if you're going to be that literal and technical about this issue, -- and you as a Christian believe Jesus was born of a Virgin -- then you must therefore believe that abstinence is less than 100 % effective.

huh? Oh, I see the virgin birth. Well, I don't think we have to worry about that happening again today, and God's word teaches not to be sexual immoral, so i would go with teaching abstinence.

I'm not worried about 2000 years ago kids, worried about today's kids.

 

[ebia]

Abstianance only eduction doesn't work to reduce teen pregnancies. It's been clearly shown to not work. It's even been shown that it doesn't reduce the sexual activity taking place.

So, if you're going to be that literal and technical about this issue, -- and you as a Christian believe Jesus was born of a Virgin -- then you must therefore believe that abstinence is less than 100 % effective.

On the other hand being male is 100% effective in stoping one getting pregnant.

 

[MethodMan]

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