Abstinence Vs Sex Education

Abstinence vs Sex Education Teen pregnancy rates throughout the nation are very high, and many people are trying to figure out how to cut theses rates down. Teaching abstinence or sex education in school has been a major issue throughout the United States for years. Many high schools teach abstinence- only in an attempt to lower the teenage pregnancy rates throughout the country. Many people believe sex education is what needs to be taught in high schools so teenagers are not going in blind and wind up pregnant. “Studies show that sex education reduces the likeliness for teen pregnancy by 50 percent.” Are either of these programs the most effective ways to prevent teenage pregnancy and unsafe sex? The government is funding both types of educations
Because of these programs many girls feel as though sex makes them worthless to others if they are no longer virgins. The abstinence-only programs use scare tactics to prevent sexual activity in teen instead of teaching them how to be safe. Programs like this in the public school system should not be created to make students feel worthless. Suicide is already an epidemic among teenagers because they feel as though they are not good enough. How are abstinence-only programs with scare tactics and shaming going to help the students that already feel like they made a huge mistake in the first place? Sex education programs, however, not only teach how to have safe sex, but also the effects sex can have on you mentally and physically. These programs teach stedents “the importance of attaining self-sufficiency before engaging in sexual activity” (DeWitt) so students know that they have to know themselves and be confidence in themselves before taking such a big step at an early
Also there has been fifteen year drop in teen pregnancies and STDs, but it is not because of contraceptive sex education. “Meanwhile, a large body of research reveals the real key to reducing teen sexual irresponsibility: parents' willingness to discuss their sexual values with their kids. If schools did away with sex education classes and instead sponsored seminars to help parents become better sex educators at home, it's clear that teen pregnancies and STDs would decline” (Castleman). Parents are able to encourage safe sex with their children and sexual responsibility. Teenagers are more likely to listen to their parents than their teachers about sexual activity. Castleman also explains that the fifteen year drop in teen pregnancy and STDs is not because of either sex education classes but because of the parents. It is clear that parents are the only one able to get through to their children not expensive sex education programs. Programs should be developed where both parents and teenagers can attend so parents know what is being told to their children and teenagers can discuss what they have learned with their parents. With programs like this the parents and teenager can decide what is best for them whether it is abstinence or the promotion of safe sex. DeWitt quotes the Advocates of Youth, “This basic human right