The Effectiveness of Abstinence-Only Sex Education - Essay Example

? The Effectiveness of “Abstinence-Only” Sex Education Rachna Jalan WHAT IS “ABSTINENCE-ONLY” SEX EDUCATION Sex education has always been a topic full of controversies. The two major forms of sex education are the basis of the controversies: abstinence-only sex education and comprehensive sex education. Abstinence-only sex education is a type of sex education, which focuses on abstinence from sex (“Abstinence-Only Sex Education”, 2011). It usually does not include birth control methods and safe sex education; it particularly excludes sexual and reproductive health education (“Abstinence-Only Sex Education”, 2011). It promotes sexual refrain from indulgence before marriage and does not include discussion over contraceptive methods. (“Abstinence-Only Sex Education”, 2011). The abstinence-only sex education views abstinence from sexual intercourse as the best way to control sexual health. (“Abstinence and Sex Education”, n.d.) It shares the fundamental use of teaching social, health and psychological gains, which can be realized by refraining from indulgence in sexual acts. Bearing children at a young age is both harmful for the baby as well as the parents and society. It promotes the abstinence from alcohol and drug abusing which leads to increased desire for sexual intercourses. It also teaches one to acquire self-sufficiency before indulging into any type of sexual activity. (“Abstinence and Sex Education”, n.d.) The combined education based on both abstinence and comprehensive based is often referred as abstinence plus. (“Abstinence and Sex Education”, n.d.) Abstinence-only sex education is found to be losing control in the recent years. This type of education is a faulty or negative view of contraception. It is required to provide consumers with inaccurate information and the teenagers are perceptive consumers. (Thomas, 2009) Education on sexuality is a hot button topic in schools and is associated with the social and parental interpretation of wrong or right and with the people’s sensitivity towards religious and personal autonomy. Pelvic inflammatory diseases are a consequence of untreated or inefficiently treated reproductive tract diseases. It is responsible for sterility and impotency amongst woman and can lead to ectopic pregnancies, cancers of reproductive tract, abortions and stillbirths. (Collins, Alagiri & Summers, 2002) The prime reason why teens do not opt for the use of contraception is due to alcohol and drug abuse. A reciprocally faithful monogamous sexual relationship in the context of marriage is the expected benchmark of sexual acts. Outside the context of wedding sexual activity is likely to have negative psychological and physical effects. (Collins, Alagiri & Summers, 2002) The affected youth may include sexually experiences teens, sexually abused teens, homeless and runaway teens, gay and lesbian youth as well. The gay, lesbian and bisexual teens face other consequences as well, as harassment and violence and finally they tend to commit mass suicide. Bisexuals are abandoned by their family members and are deprived of both public and private health care systems. (Collins, Alagiri & Summers, 2002) In most countries the homosexuals, bisexuals and transgender youths (LGBT) are often neglected in sex education classes, which include lack of discussion regarding manual, oral, and anal sex practices in regards of different risks for contracting deadly reproductive tract diseases. (“Sex Education”, 2011) STATISTICAL DATA OF IMPACT OF ABSTINENCE-ONLY SEX EDUCATION OVER PEOPLE The University of Pennsylvania published the fact that only one third of sixth-seventh grade adolescents who studied abstinence-only sex education had sexual intercourses in the next two years. The study is called “game changing” by proponents of abstinence-only sex education. (“Abstinence-Only Sex Education”, 2011) Abstinence and comprehensive based approaches of sex education can be combined to have increased impact on people. (“Abstinence and Sex Education”, n.d.) Both emphasize on the positive effects of delaying sex at young age in respect of preventing deadly reproductive tract diseases like herpes and AIDS, and unintended conceptions. APAUSE (Added Power and Understanding in Sex Education) is an abstinence plus based program developed in The United Kingdom, which emphasizes on avoiding unprotected sexual intercourses by not practicing sex or simply using contraceptive measures. (“Abstinence and Sex Education”, n.d.) Surveys show that teachers, parents and teenagers are not in complete support of abstinence based sex education. Researches show a mixed outcome for refrain from indulging in sexual act based sex education, which benefit only a few young people in the short run but putting them at risk on the long run. Young people tend to make pledges to refrain from sexual intercourse until they marry; it leads to delay in their sexual intercourse. (“Abstinence and Sex Education”, n.d.) These young teenagers tend to hold vigorous religious faiths and enjoy being a special group amongst friends who do not intend to make abstinence pledges. In addition to this, a majority of adolescent people take pledges but still participate in sexual activities before marriage. They are more likely to opt for oral or anal sex rather than vaginal intercourse and they tend to make use of condoms less than people who do not take abstinence pledges. (“Abstinence and Sex Education”, n.d.) Evidences show that abstinence-only sex education effectively exacerbate or decrease HIV/AIDS risk among developed countries’ participants. (“Abstinence and Sex Education”, n.d.) Unprotected sexual activities lead to four million sexually transmitted infections per annum with long-term consequences. Sex amongst young generation has decreased and use of condoms and other protective measures are on a rise these days. However, trials suggest that this type of sex education has proven to be ineffective. (Collins, Alagiri & Summers, 2002) Some researches on abstinence based programs and activities suggest factual inaccuracies. The programs based on sex education are difficult to sustain as researches suggest that several sex educators are highly concerned not in positive aspects of sex and avoid discussions on sensitive and embarrassing topics including homosexuality and abortions. They repress information regarding positive aspects of sexual intercourses and over states, the emotional and physical dangers associated to sex. (“Abstinence and Sex Education”, n.d.) Some people believe that discussing about birth control measures and about sexually transmitted diseases simply encourage them to indulge into such activities. The “Chastity Act” was designed to promote self-sufficiency and other farsighted approaches towards problems of premarital sexual relations and promotes adoption as a solution for adolescent parents. HIV education does not lead to increase in sexual activities, do not hasten the commencement of sex, do not increase frequencies of sexual intercourses and do not lead to a considerable increase in the number of sexual partners. (Collins, Alagiri & Summers, 2002) On the contrary, HIV education promotes the delay of the commencement of sex, decrease the frequencies of sexual acts and considerably reduce the number of sex partners. Male latex condom is found to reduce HIV/AIDS transmission and prevents male partners from acquiring ring gonorrhoea from their female partners. Use of condom can significantly reduce the transmission of deadly sexually transmitted diseases like genital herpes, Hepatitis B, genital human papilla virus and many more other contagious diseases. (Collins, Alagiri & Summers, 2002) International organizations like the Planned Parenthood mull over that sex education programs have wide benefits such as controlling over population and brings advancement to women’s rights. The use of media results in higher levels of awareness along with superficial knowledge about HIV transmission. (“Sex Education”, 2011) Denny Pattyn started the Silver Ring Thing in the year 1996 in Yuma situated in Arizona and it was based on the religious abstinence from sex. (“Abstinence Only”, 2010) POSITIVE ASPECTS OF ABSTINENCE-ONLY SEX EDUCATION Proponents argue that this type of sex education is superior over comprehensive type of sex education. It emphasizes on the teaching of morality, which limits sexual intercourses after marriage and teaches the negative effects of sex prior to marriage. It tells that sex at young age may lead to excessive physical mental and emotional imbalance. (“Abstinence-Only Sex Education”, 2011) This type of sex education has gained importance in an era where AIDS and other deadly reproductive tract infections are widespread and cases of teenage pregnancy are on a rise. (“Abstinence-Only Sex Education”, 2011) The abstinence plus sex education promotes refrain from indulgence in sexual activities, acknowledge that most teenagers might become sexually active, teaches about contraceptives and use of condoms, the discussions include topics such as abortions and sexually transmitted infections. (Collins, Alagiri & Summers, 2002) On the contrary, abstinence only sex education focuses on value discussions and character building. It does not acknowledge that most teenagers will be sexually active. (Collins, Alagiri & Summers, 2002) Abstinence is the only practiced sex education in America which emphasizes on treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS by the usage of the three basic alphabets “ABC” which stands for A- Abstinence, B- Be faithful and C- Condoms. (“Abstinence Only”, 2010) NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF ABSTINENCE-ONLY SEX EDUCATION Critics, including professional people working in the fields of public health, medicine, psychology and adolescent health put forward the notion that abstinence-only sex education fails to provide necessary information regarding adolescent health. The opponents claim that comprehensive sex education promotes premarital sex. Sexual relations after marriage has serious drawbacks for people who do not desire to marry or are unable to indulge in such activities as in case of same sex marriages, which is not legal. (“Abstinence-Only Sex Education”, 2011) Without the basic information, one cannot take decisions freely regarding sex and sexuality. (“Abstinence-Only Sex Education”, 2011) They give importance to the religious values but at the same time, they assert that sex education is not to be based on specific religious values. (“Abstinence and Sex Education”, n.d.) Abstinence only sex education does not provide basic information regarding contraceptive measures. It only describes its failure rates of contraceptive measures and simply ignores the discussion of their positive effects. (“Abstinence-Only Sex Education”, 2011) Critics pointed out that this type of education did not have a moralistic tone, it encouraged adolescents to delay sexual relations until marriage rather than until they are mentally and physically ready for it. It did not promote prevention of extra marital sex as this the main cause of mainly sexually transmitted diseases. (“Abstinence-Only Sex Education”, 2011) Abstinence-only sex education alienates the young people and they become more vulnerable to negative health aspects. Abstinence teaches chastity, which is the most perverted of the sexual caricatures. (“Abstinence Only”, 2010) EFFECTIVENESS OF ABSTINENCE-ONLY SEX EDUCATION The abstinence-only sex education is a non-effective method to control adolescent children’s sexual behavior and is found to have no serious enduring effect on them. The Mathematical Policy Research Inc. had published in April 2007 that the participants were found to have as many sexual partners as the non-participants had and had sex at the same average age as the non-participants. (Thomas, 2009) The outcome was the same as that without any abstinence based programs. One of the factors to ensure abstinence success is to take virginity pledge with has lost its effect in recent developing years. The only positive data obtained though statistically small was that, those who pledged had 0.1% fewer sexual partners than non-participants as recorded for a span of five long years. The pledge takers often lead to participate in unsafe sexual practices in regards of oral, anal or manual sex practices. (Thomas, 2009) Public emphasize on the need of schools to deliver sexual education based on abstinence along with information regarding self-protection for teens that get themselves involved in sexual situations. Parents are in support of sex education in schools, which include provisions for information about the contraception methods and the use of condoms. (Collins, Alagiri & Summers, 2002) SEXUAL ABSTINENCE PROGRAMMES WHICH HAVE GAINED IMPORTANCE IN THE RECENT DAYS Silver Ring Thing is a sexual abstinence program, which was created in America in 1995. Its objective is to attract the twenty first century teens and provide them protection against the devastating effects of the country’s sex obsessed culture and tradition. The pledge to refrain from indulging in sex is characterized by wearing a silver ring by the active participants, which are purchased during the events. (“IFPA Question”, 2004) The Silver Ring Thing has stretched its arms to the United Kingdom and Ireland. This program is receiving US $ 700,000 from the US Federal Government, which aims at promoting abstinence from sex. (“IFPA Question”, 2004) These programs have proved to be effective in some nations while ineffective in others. Norway produces 11 fetuses per thousand teens, Finland produces eight, Sweden produces seven in each thousand youths and the Netherlands produces five per thousand youth people. (“IFPA Question”, 2004) However, the United Kingdom and the United States where access to sex education is limited endure the maximum numbers of unintended teen pregnancies and several sexually transmitted infections amongst youth people. The US produces 53 fetuses per thousand adolescents, which is higher than that recorded in India, while the United Kingdom produces 20 fetuses per thousand teenagers. (“IFPA Question”, 2004) CONCLUSION There is no such full-bodied proof for the effectiveness of abstinence-only sex education. It has no serious impact on the sexual behaviour of young adolescent people. Only a few cases are known to be encouraging people to delay their first sexual intercourse in the short run. People who receive abstinence based sex education are likely to be unaware and less knowledgeable about sexually transmitted diseases and they do not intend to believe that condoms are effective barriers to protect against such deadly diseases. (“Abstinence and Sex Education”, n.d.) Teaching of only abstinence based sex education is in reality harmful to the young generations. It promotes a situation and environment of shame, embarrassment and fear where the young people are unable to discuss about sex. Scientific evidences demonstrate that programs which include information regarding abstinence and contraception aids in delaying sexual activities. (“IFPA Question”, 2004) They have minimal partners and increase use of contraceptive measures once they begin practicing sexual activities. (“IFPA Question”, 2004) The abstinence-only programs should equally emphasize on family planning programs. (Collins, Alagiri & Summers, 2002) Abstinence type of sex education is the only type of education that is entitled for federal funding but this necessarily does not mean that it is effective. (Long, 2008) References “Abstinence and Sex Education”. (n.d.). Avert. Retrieved March 28, 2011 from http://www.avert.org/abstinence.htm “Abstinence Only”. (2010). Citizendium: The Citizen’s Compendium. Retrieved March 28, 2011 from http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Abstinence-only_sex_education “Abstinence-Only Sex Education”. (2011). Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved March 28, 2011 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abstinence-only_sex_education Collins, C. Alagiri, P. & Summers, T. (2002). "Abstinence Only vs. Comprehensive Sex Education: What are the arguments? What is the evidence?”. University of California. Retrieved March 28, 2011 from http://ari.ucsf.edu/science/reports/abstinence.pdf “IFPA Question the Long-Term Effectiveness of Abstinence Only Sex Education”. (2004). IFPA. Retrieved March 28, 2011 from http://www.ifpa.ie/eng/Media-Info-Centre/News-Events/Older-News-Events/2004-News-Events/IFPA-Question-the-Long-Term-Effectiveness-of-Abstinence-Only-Sex-Education Long, Kat. (2008). “Is Teaching Abstinence Effective: Rating the Success and Failure of Abstinence Only Education”. Suite 101.com. Retrieved March 28, 2011 from http://www.suite101.com/content/is-abstinence-sex-ed-effective-a47769 “Sex Education”. (2011). Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved March 28, 2011 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_education Thomas. (2009). “Abstinence-Only Sex Education Statistics – Final Nail in the Coffin”. Open Education. Retrieved March 28, 2011 from http://www.openeducation.net/2009/01/05/abstinence-only-sex-education-statistics-final-nail-in-the-coffin/ Read More