"The Silver Ring Thing" abstinence program produces....pregnancies.

[mpshiel]

The Economist (May 15-21st)

The basis of the story is that Britian, which had been focusing on sex education to stop unwanted pregnacies has suceeded in that, but produced a huge upswing in STD's. So now they are looking at funding an American Abstinence program called "the Silver Ring Thing" where those taking the pledge are given silver rings to give to thier spouses on thier wedding night.

Some of the stats:

Since introducing safe sex education teen pregnancies have reduced 6.4% to 20 per 1000 15-19 year old women (2%). This compares to 1.1% for Germany, and only .8% and .6% for the sex education aware Sweden and Netherlands. The United States is at 5.2%.

Though there are fewer UK pregnancies, those 16-19 year olds who tell researchers they have never had sex fell from 39% to 27% in the same period. Also STD's rose from almost 30%.

Concluding thoughts of the article:

Abstinence would clearly be the most effective way to slow the spread of STIS, but the kids find it understandibly tough to stick to. The majority do not manage to hold out until thier wedding night. And a study by America's Columbia University showed that teenagers who took abstinence pledges were more likely not to used contraception when they broke thier vows than those who had never pledged.
Mr. Pattyn (founder of The Silver Ring Thing) thinks that the Silver Ring wearers are more likely to stick it out than teenagers on other abstinence programmes, because they are not pushed into pledging by thier parents. But he also said that just delaying the age of sex for the first time can be counted as a success. For those who don't want to have sex, the ring is a good way to deflect peer pressure. The rest will just have to make friends with the chemist. (where condoms are sold in the UK)

I found this interesting for a host of reasons:

1) I support personal choice in remaining a virgin until commitment, I did. So I support organizations that encourage this.

2) At the same time, I do not support those organizations as the SOLE choice - as I think the stats and studies show, the US is far behind in teaching the need for safe sex to the youth. Encourage them to abstain, fine, but let them know what to do and what is important if they chose to do otherwise (as let's face it, a majority will do). I think it interesting that while no-one would call Sweden a puritan or "down on sex" country, the early and often messages about sex safety have seemed to have worked.

3) I think that is why, when focus is put entirely or even primarily on abstinence programs, as they say, most won't keep the vow and most of those won't use protection which means......pregnancies. If we teach abstinance as a choice instead of a guilt trip maybe when people chose to have sex, they will realize it is a choice instead of a "guilty little slip".

 

[msjones21]

*faints* I am so glad somebody has so eloquently posted my exact same thoughts on this issue. Are we sharing the same brain? LOL I am totally opposed to abstinance only sex education and scare/guilt tactic abstinance programs. I mean, if you have a group of a hundred teenagers and this guest speaker is talking about how sex is bad and it won't be meaningful if you aren't married and making it out like sex is nasty and dirty and then they extend the invitation to pledge to maintain your virginity until marriage, do they honestly believe that every one of those kids is doing it because they want to? It's kinda sad to think that these speakers preach so much about how most teens have sex due to peer pressure and yet they are too blind to see that the majority of these teens are pledging to save themselves are only doing it because of peer pressure.

I support teaching abstinance as the only 100% foolproof way to prevent pregnancy and STD's, but to tell people that sex is dirty and meaningless unless they are in a heterosexual marriage is bogus.

 

[Raindog]

I've always thought that abstinance only was BS anyway. My senior year of high school we had some soccer mom come in and try to guilt us all into virgins until marriage.

Me being the smart mouth (Self edited to applease the prudes) I am raised my hand and asked "I'm gay, I've been gay for a while now, does that mean I shouldn't ever have sex since I'm not allowed to get married."

Clearly this woman was expecting this and she responded, "Not unless you want to burn in hell."

It's funny how abstience only breaks down once you take the religious aspect out it.

 

[MQTA]

I'm hearing now in high schools the girls are wearing their BC patches on their back, just where it would be above the top of their thong that shows over their pants hip line.

One school told them they may not wear these patches where they are visible, so they're putting them in other places, but placing a simple Band-Aid where they were putting the patch, to indicate the same thing.

Not only aren't they abstaining, they're Advertising!

 

[rahma]

The only school district in Wisconsin that teaches abstinance only has the highest pregnancy rate outside Milwaukee.

 

[Oblivious]

I support teaching abstinance as the only 100% foolproof way to prevent pregnancy and STD's, but to tell people that sex is dirty and meaningless unless they are in a heterosexual marriage is bogus.

I agree with you 100% Sex education needs to realistically taught, meaning, from all angles, but abstinence should be encouraged. Hopefully that makes sense

 

[PhoenixDown]

Speaking of the UK and pregnancy,....

(add in www before the url)

observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,6903,1212734,00.html

{excerpt from article}

Oral sex lessons to cut rates of teenage pregnancy

Mark Townsend
Sunday May 9, 2004
The Observer

Encouraging schoolchildren to experiment with oral sex could prove the most effective way of curbing teenage pregnancy rates, a government study has found.
Pupils under 16 who were taught to consider other forms of 'intimacy' such as oral sex were significantly less likely to engage in full intercourse, it was revealed.

Britain's teenage pregnancy rate is the highest in Europe. In 2002 there were 39,286 teen pregnancies recorded. The government has spent more than £60 million to tackle the problem but so far failed to halt the rise.

A sex education course developed by Exeter University trains teachers to talk to teenagers about 'stopping points' before full sex.

Now an unpublished government-backed report reveals that a trial of the course has been a success. Schoolchildren, particularly girls, who received such training developed a 'more mature' response to sex.

I understand that premarital sex in any manner, shape, or form is a no-no in Christianity, but understanding that it will happen anyway - do you feel that if this study is correct in its conclusions that it should be supported as a way of preventing abortions and teenage pregancies?

I would tend to think that abortion would be a greater sin than pre-martial sex if one can give wieght to such things...

 

[Borealis]

Mod edit.

I already answered this topic on the Politics board in HighlyEvolved's thread.

http://www.christianforums.ca/t679262

I'll give you a short version, though. Abstinence is the only 100% foolproof method for preventing pregnancy and STDs. However, it's not enough to tell kids not to have sex in today's society, simply because our society revolves around sex. Sex is ubiquitous in advertising, right down to the elementary age (A&F catalogues, for example). Unless and until we tone down the level of sexual messages in the media, entertainment and advertising, teenagers are indeed going to continue having sex, because that's what they're being told to do 24/7.

Quit training children to become sex objects and teach them to be human beings.

 

[flicka]

mod edit



Where exactly is this on the curriculum?

 

[Firscherscherling]

I'm hearing now in high schools the girls are wearing their BC patches on their back, just where it would be above the top of their thong that shows over their pants hip line.

One school told them they may not wear these patches where they are visible, so they're putting them in other places, but placing a simple Band-Aid where they were putting the patch, to indicate the same thing.

Not only aren't they abstaining, they're Advertising!

This is just so much BS I can't stand it. Can we please stop spreading this stuff.

 

[feral]

Quit training children to become sex objects and teach them to be human beings.

Exactly, but you cannot expect the full weight of this responsibility to rest on the shoulders of the public school. Kids watch an average of 4 hours a day of television. A lot of depicts meaningless relationships, resquisite sex and revealing attire - and these impressions mean more to kids then what they are taught by a dowdy or "out of it" teacher. Campaign to remove ads which feature the human body in disrespectful ways or which use sex to sell merchandise. Form organizations, not just sex or abstinence ones, that promote self-esteem and self-respect. The schools are not trying to teach kids to be sex objects. Most public school educators are parents, and they aren't exactly getting rich so they must be in it for the love of kids. Consider the other factors which are contributing to this problem.

My own opinion on abstinence is that it's a good idea. Obviously, it's 100% safe - no babies, no disease, no mental anguish, no being used for sex. However, it's unrealistic to think whirlwind programs like this will have a serious impact. Sure, while it's new and exciting kids will be interested, but after the sponsorship and attention fades away they are left with pressure and questions. If you want to teach abstinence you need to start teaching it around age 8 and 9, not with sex info but self-respect info, teaching people to respect their developing bodies and talk about their concerns. The programs need to last until age 21 at the very least, and these groups need to be meeting at least weekly. When I was thirteen we had a week long abstinence program drive and all kids were required to sign the pledge, but we never got real information or support, nor was anyone there a few years later when sex became a major subject and we faced tremendous pressure. It was absolutely worthless. People also seem to drop off the abstinence messages at high school graduation, completely oblivious, apparently, to the many people in their 20's and 30's and beyond who have chosen a single life or who are still struggling with dating, questions about sexuality, etc.

Also, information ought to be provided. Sex, dating and the body ought not be taboo subjects. If they are, kids will be all the more curious and given to experimentation. Give kids the facts and information to reduce their risk should they choose not to remain abstinent. Ultimatums just don't work. Kids need to know the reasons and the benefits of remaining abstinent, especially if their choice results in losing a relationship or being teased. The messages of the abstinence program need to be able to combat the tremendous lure of media and our sex obsessed culture. I think these programs have their work cut out for them.

 

[msjones21]

Haha On the Silver Ring Thing website it asks "How Far is too Far?" and one of the things they listed is "would you do this in front of your parents?" LOL I'm sorry but even if I had been completely chaste until my wedding day I wouldn't have sex in front of my parents. Oh good heavens to Betsy.

 

[Firscherscherling]

You folks need to lighten up. I seriously doubt a movement to make everyone prude is going to solve much. In fact, as has been stated in this thread the nations that tend to lighten up about sexuality and treat it as a normal and natural thing are the ones with lower rates of teen pregnancy. Seems more likely to me that prudish attitudes do more to promote unhealthy teen attitudes toward sex than does seeing a breast on TV.

 

[the Colonel]

to tell people that sex is dirty and meaningless unless they are in a heterosexual marriage is bogus.

Oh, I don't know. I've always thought sleeping around (sex outside of marriage) was potentially, both dirty (STDs) and meaningless (no commitment).

 

[MQTA]

Oh, I don't know. I've always thought sleeping around (sex outside of marriage) was potentially, both dirty (STDs) and meaningless (no commitment).

yes, Potentially. However, each day is precious and how you and who you spend it with can be both disease-free and clean, and have plenty of meaning, regardless of commitment.

Except for one sexually involved event, all my activities during my single and free years of days gone by have been memorable and I wouldn't trade them for anything. Every one of them lives in my heart and memories and I can only hope that each of them have also found the one, best, person for them to spend the Rest of their life with.

Everyone makes their own choices, and if time goes on with no regrets for what you've not done, or anything you have done, then great. If not, it's still your own situation.

I only have 3 regrets, and those were for things not done, that could have been.

 

[the Colonel]

yes, Potentially. However, each day is precious and how you and who you spend it with can be both disease-free and clean, and have plenty of meaning, regardless of commitment.

Except for one sexually involved event, all my activities during my single and free years of days gone by have been memorable and I wouldn't trade them for anything. Every one of them lives in my heart and memories and I can only hope that each of them have also found the one, best, person for them to spend the Rest of their life with.

Well, that's certainly great for you. But, how many times is this not the case. How often are lives destroyed (by disease, etc.), dreams shattered, or families torn apart? Your experience is certainly of Hollywood quality, but I'd wager that it is the exception and not the norm.

--CK

 

[MQTA]

Everyone has their own path and lessons to learn, choices to make. Most people have to make their own mistakes, they don't learn from others. Sometimes lack of information causes the problems when you only say "don't do it".

 

[neocon]

If parents choose this type of education for THEIR kids your opinion should carry exactly zero weight in the matter.

 

[Cright]

You folks need to lighten up. I seriously doubt a movement to make everyone prude is going to solve much. In fact, as has been stated in this thread the nations that tend to lighten up about sexuality and treat it as a normal and natural thing are the ones with lower rates of teen pregnancy. Seems more likely to me that prudish attitudes do more to promote unhealthy teen attitudes toward sex than does seeing a breast on TV.

Nothing like being offensive.

Just because I have firm beliefs in marital sex, doesn't mean I'm a prude.
It's a lot easier to sleep with a man you are in a loving relationship than not. I could call your choices MANY offensive things. I won't lower myself to that standard.

This has nothing to do with nudity. That is a completely different subject.

... but back on thread... IMO, promoting abstinance is nothing more that promoting proper health for our children, respect for their bodies, and will give them a sence of pride when they are married. They will have less heartache too... and that's with all religious opinions aside.

God Bless,
C

 

[TheThirdLink]

The only school district in Wisconsin that teaches abstinance only has the highest pregnancy rate outside Milwaukee.

This is aeroz19 posting, sis of TTL. The site won't allow me to log out as TTL and log in with my username. So here goes...

I can't believe this post. I can't believe this site. I can't BELIEVE what you people, who are supposed to be Christians, are saying.

Maybe the pregnancies aren't being caused by the abstinance-only policy, but rather, the policy was implemented because of the crazy pregnancies going on. Didn't think about that, huh?

By the way, having sex before marriage is fornication, and having sex with someone other than your spouce is adultery.

God designed sex so that two loving people of the opposite sex could show their love to each other and deepen their relationship, and so that humans could make more humans. Sex is not for fun, a free gift to give away casually. Sex is the most intimate thing you have, besides your soul.

GIVING SEX AWAY TO SOMEONE YOU ARE NOT MARRIED TO IS TREATING YOUR BODY, SOUL, AND MIND LIKE TRASH, ALLOWING OTHERS WHO DON'T WANT YOU IN THE LONG TERM TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOU NOT FOR ONE NIGHT, BUT FOREVER.

How long do they want you? Not forever.

How long will they haunt you? Forever.

If the kids can't wait for sex, they are missing out on what God has perfectly designed for them--lasting soulmates. God has in mind, right now, the husband or wife He has chosen for them to marry. And if they cannot wait for marriage, they are probably crushing their chance of ever meeting that special person.