Advantages and Disadvantages of Sexual Abstinence - Research Paper Example

Sexual Abstinence Introduction The topic on sex has been controversial depending on cultural orientation. The awareness and understanding of individuals, particularly adolescents, on the subject vary in perspective. Despite exposure to explicit sexuality in movies, television shows, Internet and other media sources, teenagers remain to be susceptible to the effects of irresponsible sex. Much of teenagers’ naiveté about sex may be due to the fact that they are still learning to reason abstractly and are inept in fully understanding the laws of probability. Teenagers need to learn that they can control their sexuality. Abstinence from sexual intercourse is believed by most parents and religious groups to be the only acceptable method of birth control for teenagers. In this regard, the essay aims to proffer issues pertaining to sexual abstinence. The discourse would initially define sexual abstinence and determine its brief historical background. Likewise, the effects of abstinence-only approach in sex education would be examined. Finally, some suggestions and recommendations on using abstinence in sexual education would be presented. Definition of Terms Sexual abstinence is defined as “the practice of voluntarily refraining from sexual intercourse and (usually) other sexual activity. Sexual abstinence is typically considered a subset of behavior in the context of chastity as the latter refers also to attitude and intent and not mere mechanics. Sexual abstinence is typically advocated in the categories of religious/moral concerns and health/social concerns, with a significant overlap between the two” (WordIQ, par. 1). In an article published by Avert on abstinence and sex education, the discussion provided clear definitions of abstinence based approach to sexual education which encourages abstinence from sex until marriage. The Federal Law in the United States enumerated learning objectives of abstinence education, to wit: “Abstinence from sexual activity outside marriage is the expected standard for all school age children Abstinence from sexual activity is the only certain way to avoid out of wedlock pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and other associated health problems A mutually faithful, monogamous relationship in the context of marriage is the expected standard of sexual activity Sexual activity outside the context of marriage is likely to have harmful psychological and physical effects Bearing children out of wedlock is likely to have harmful consequences for the child, the child’s parents, and society How to reject sexual advances and that alcohol and drug use increases vulnerability to sexual advances The importance of attaining self sufficiency before engaging in sexual activity” (Social Security Act, 1). In a study conducted by Planes, et.al. on definitions and examples of abstinence to Spanish University students, the findings revealed that the current understanding of the term is ambiguous resulting to risky sexual behaviors (Planes, et.al, 172). A table indicated in the research on the definitions of the meaning of the term abstinence by gender provided “778 examples or definitions of abstinence” (Planes, et.al, 170) validating the diverse understanding of students on the accurate definition of the term. Brief Historical Background The discourse provided by WordIQ traced the developments on sexual freedom to the First World War which indicates that the period marked “a return to sexual freedom and indulgence, but more often than not the appearance of conforming to the earlier moral values of abstinence before marriage was retained. With the conclusion of the Second World War, the importance of abstinence declined swiftly. The advent of the oral contraceptive pill and widely available antibiotics removed the consequences of wide and free sexual behaviour, while social mores were also changing. By the 1970s, such restrictions were no longer expected in the majority of western societies; perhaps even the reverse: that members of both sexes would have experienced a number of sexual partners before marriage. Some cultural groups continued to place a value on the moral purity of an abstainer, but abstinence was caught up in a wider re-evaluation of moral values” (WordIQ, par. 5). Actually, cultural values and orientations, including religion, play an important role in the abstinence for sexual intercourse. An excerpt from the Catechism of the Catholic Church indicates that “the sexual act must take place exclusively within marriage. Outside of marriage it always constitutes a grave sin and excludes one from sacramental communion” (Beliefnet, par.1). Clearly, Catholics promote and encourage commitment to sexual abstinence since their inception. The relevance of sexual abstinence and the effects of irresponsible sexual behavior would hereby be examined to determine the repercussions to sexual disorders. Advantages and Disadvantages of Abstinence In a study conducted by Rector & Johnson (2005) on Teenage Sexual Abstinence and Academic Achievement, it was revealed that “teens who abstain from sex during high school years are substantially less likely to be expelled from school; less likely to drop out of high school; and more likely to attend and graduate from college” (1). The authors have clearly indicated that “current scientific evidence shows that teens who abstain from sexual activity are less likely to have children out-of-wedlock; less likely to live in poverty and on welfare; more likely to have stable marriages as adults” (Rector & Johnson, 22). AD2000, a journal of religious opinion, published results of a survey from the Heritage Foundation indicating the positive effects of abstinence: “the report provides statistical evidence demonstrating that teenagers who publicly pledge to refrain from sexual activity are less likely to experience teen pregnancy. And they will likely have fewer sexual partners. Another advantage is the reduction in children born outside marriage. The report observes that children born and raised outside marriage are seven times more likely to live in poverty than those born and raised in intact married families. As well, they are more prone to a number of social problems, from crime to emotional difficulties” (AD2000, pars. 5 & 10). An article on celibacy indicated the following advantages of abstinence as: “no medical or hormonal side effects, it is endorsed by many religious groups, and lower risk of getting Sexually Transmitted Diseases” (Celibacy, par. 6). Despite the more obvious advantages, the discourse identified disadvantages of sexual abstinence as follows: “people may find it difficult to abstain for long periods of time; and women and men often end their abstinence without being prepared to protect themselves against pregnancy or infection” (Celibacy, par. 7). From psychological perspectives, sexual abstinence have been found to have the following disadvantages: “health cannot be maintained unless the sexual activities are regularly exercised (Ellis, par. 6); in Schurig's Spermatologia (1720, pp. 274 et seq.), (one finds) not only a discussion of the advantages of moderate sexual intercourse in a number of disorders, as witnessed by famous authorities, but also a list of results—including anorexia, insanity, impotence, epilepsy, even death—which were believed to have been due to sexual abstinence (Ellis, par. 8); among the results of sexual abstinence orchitis, frequent involuntary seminal emissions, impotence, neurasthenia, depression, and a great variety of nervous disturbances of vaguer character, involving diminished power of work, limited enjoyment of life, sleeplessness, nervousness, and pre-occupation with sexual desires and imagination (Ellis, par. 9). These effects have presumed abstinence being voluntarily or compulsorily done and have been more profoundly indicated in cases affecting men, more than women. As averred by Ellis, “it is important to remark that the evil results of sexual abstinence in women, in the opinion of many of those who insist upon their importance, are by no means merely due to unsatisfied sexual desire. They may be pronounced even when the woman herself has not the slightest consciousness of sexual needs” (par. 15). Factors Influencing Sexual Abstinence The study conducted by Rector & Johnson indicated that some social background factors influence teenagers’ preponderance for sexual abstinence. The authors revealed that “abstinent teens are more likely to come from married two-parent families, have higher family incomes, and have better educated parents. Abstinent teens are less likely to be black and more likely to be Asian” (Rector & Johnson, 7). As previously mentioned, culture and religion plays an important role in influencing values and beliefs for abstinence. Asian nations have been known to practice commitment to religious beliefs and are more known to manifest close family ties. Further, teenagers who come from single-parent families are more prone to search for a “missing parent” figure which tends to be filled by peers and other activities to provide outlet for their emotional imbalance. Analysis The enlightening results of both advantages and disadvantages of sexual abstinence, coupled with factors influencing it, have revealed information on health hazards at both sides of the argument. Promoters of sexual abstinence in sex education highlight the need to differentiate between abstinence-only and abstinence-based approaches. According to Abraham (2010), “abstinence-only education focuses on abstinence (not having sexual intercourse) as the only choice for adolescents until marriage. Other birth-control measures are not taught. Abstinence-based education covers all birth-control methods with a greater emphasis on abstinence as the method of choice” (par. 3). The controversial issue in teaching abstinence based approach using birth control methods could be perceived by teenagers as promoting the use of these methods and therefore encouraging them to be sexually active (Abraham, par. 4). In this regard, sex education focusing on abstinence must be aware of the need to clarify various perspectives encompassing the definition of abstinence, per se and clearly identifying the benefits and costs associated with it. It is critical to conduct further studies to validate findings of indicated reports which identify health hazards in both groups: those abstaining from sexual intercourse and those who fail to abstain. In HIV prevention, for example, the study presented by Avert emphasized that “evidence does not indicate that abstinence only interventions effectively decrease or exacerbate HIV risk among participants in high-income countries; trials suggest that the programs are ineffective” (Underhill, et.al.) Appropriately, “the authors stressed the lack of robust data and the need for more rigorous trials. They noted that most studies have been conducted among American youth, which may limit the generalisability of their findings” (Avert, par. 19). More importantly, Avert indicated that a “surveys of teachers, parents and young people consistently show that abstinence based sex education has little widespread public support” (par. 35). Despite the numerous benefits that sexual abstinence has promoted, support for the endeavor remains to be poor and neglected. There is a need to assess various mediums of information to enhance its promotion to the target group without jeopardizing conventional beliefs, values, and practices. Likewise, more studies should be made of the effectiveness of the abstinence approach to a wider audience in order to promote its goals. As aptly concluded by Abraham, “the future of sex education programs in the twenty-first century will depend on the national political climate and local community reactions. Although 86 percent of registered voters in a national survey agreed that sex education should be taught in the public schools, the political environment will certainly influence the future direction of sex education” (par. 10). Conclusion Parents should make their views and standards very clear to their teenaged children. According to the Reader’s Digest’s ABCs of the Human Mind, Michael Carrera, a health-science professor at Hunter College stressed that “in shaping the values of young people, parents are more powerful than any clinic, any sex-education teacher, any peer” (Reader’s Digest, 254). The essay was able to proffer critical issues pertaining to sexual abstinence encompassing definition of terms, a brief historical background, factors and its effect on individuals, particularly, adolescents. An analysis of the discourse revealed the need for further studies to validate claims on health hazards being discussed as emerging on both sides of the coin: for those who abstain and those who failed to abstain. Further, due to the lack of conclusive evidence and wide support for abstinence based programs, more studies need to be conducted to increase validity of findings in relation to its effect on prevention of illnesses, particularly HIV, and the overall improvement of an individual’s future welfare. The need to enhance promotion of the abstinence based approach through more contemporary mediums such as the Internet could be further evaluated since this is the most prolific medium being accessed by teenagers today. Health experts advise parents to avoid lecturing about sex. Instead, parents should be sensitive to their child’s level of interest and be ready and available with the information when the child asks. Works Cited Abraham, Jane L. “Sex Education.” Child Development Reference, Vol. 7. 2010. Web. 11 October 2010. < http://social.jrank.org/pages/565/Sex-Education.html> AD2000. “American surveys show advantages of sexual abstinence education.” Journal of Religious Opinion Vol 17 No 11 (December 2004 - January 2005), p. 13. Beliefnet. Official Roman Catholic Teaching on Premarital Sex. N.d. Web. 11 October 2010. Celibacy or Sexual Abstinence. N.d. Web. 11 October 2010. < http://www.whereincity.com/medical/contraception/celibacy.php> Ellis, Havelock. “The Problem of Sexual Abstinence.” Psyplexus: Studies in the Psychology of Sex. 1927. Web. 11 October 2010. < http://www.psyplexus.com/ellis/83.htm> Planes, Montserrat, Gomez, Anna B., Gras, Eugenia, Sullman, Mark J., Font-Mayolas, Sylvia, Cunill, Monica, & Aymerich, Maria. “What is Abstinence? Definitions and Examples of Abstinence, to Prevent the Sexual Transmission of the HIV Virus, According to Spanish University Students.” Behavior Change, Vol. 26, No. 3, 2009, pp. 168 – 173. Reader’s Digest. ABCs of the Human Mind. Reader’s Digest Association, Inc. Pleasantville, New York. 1990. Print. Rector, Robert & Johnson, Kirk A. “Teenage Sexual Abstinence and Academic Achievement.” Conference Paper: The Heritage Foundation. October 27, 2005. Web. 11 October 2010. < http://www.heritage.org/Research/Reports/2005/10/Teenage-Sexual-Abstinence-and- Academic-Achievement> Title V, Section 510 (b)(2)(A-H) of the Social Security Act (P.L. 104-193). 6 October 2010. Web. 12 October 2010. Underhill K, Operario D, Montgomery P. “Abstinence-only programs for HIV infection prevention in high-income countries.” Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD005421. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005421.pub2 WordIQ. Sexual Abstinence – Definition. 2010. Web. 11 October 2010. Read More