Abstinence Programs

Many do not think about abstinence programs when thinking about sexual education. Abstinence programs can be found all around America as well as all around the world. There are 84% of teens that have had abstinence only education. In the US, all schools are required to teach sexual education, “26 of states require that abstinence be stressed more than any other form of sexual education”. (Health Research Funding) In this generation there are statistics showing that there is a great amount of teens under the age of 15 who have had sexual intercourse. Abstinence programs can prevent these interactions, and teach young teens the provided source which is abstinence. There are many statistics shown that abstinence programs are effective, how these
programs will help young teens proform abstinence, and the effectiveness of using abstinence correctly. Abstinence only programs are the best and most efficient ways to prevent unwanted pregnancies, or having the problem of the effects sex can do to someone.
Abstinence programs are proven to be ineffective as well as not being supported in many sexual education programs. Though many people may think that abstinence programs are effective, they are not for the main reason that there are many statistics that can go with proving that abstinence programs are a waste of time. First, it is proven that the people that have gone into abstinence programs have not been affected or have not continued the practices, and is proven to be more likely to do sexual activities more than the ones that were not in the program. It is said that “teens in states that prescribe more abstinence education are actually more likely to become pregnant.” (Advocates for Youth) Teens that are in abstinence programs are more likely to get pregnant than the ones out of the programs. Abstinence programs also are not the only ones that can prevent sex. Condoms, are another great way to protect against unwanted pregnancies, and different sexually transmitted diseases, “when condoms are used correctly and consistently, they can help prevent the spread of HPV and can reduce the risk of HPV-associated diseases, such as cervical cancer and genital warts. However, since HPV is spread by skin-to-skin contact, infection can occur in areas that are not covered or protected by a condom” (Advocates for Youth). Abstinence programs are very ineffective and are a waste of time.
Abstinence can be provided through online workshops as well as in school. Though abstinence programs are not that popular overall but there are many reasons for abstinence programs to be in schools sexual education programs. There are not many schools that involve abstinence into their sexual education, this is a problem because, most school systems should make programs available that will enable and encourage young people who have not engaged in sexual intercourse… to continue to: Abstain from sexual intercourse until they are ready to establish a mutually monogamous relationship…. For young people who have engaged in sexual intercourse, school programs should enable and encourage them to stop engaging in sexual sexual intercourse…. (NAEA 6)
This system will have a program for people that indeed have had sex to show them that it is better for them to stay abstinent. If the people have refrained from sexual intercourse this lesson will continue and show them that they should stay that way. There are two types of approaches that abstinence programs use. The first approach is the Sexual Risk Avoidance approach. This approach “give teens information and skills that are intended to help them avoid all the possible negative consequences of teen sex.” (6 NAEA) The Sexual Risk Avoidance Approach is a great program teens can join in order for them to get the proper skills that they could use in life. The second approach that abstinence programs can use is the sexual risk reduction. This approach “has two points in where they will provide help to teens. The first approach is that they “target the general teen population, rather than focusing on an individual intervention for those who are actually engaged in the risk behavior” (7 NAEA). The Sexual Risk Reduction has two different ways to approach teens in this manner. They do not force people in this program to come, but they are greatly persuaded into doing it. There are many ways that abstinence only programs can provide information that teens should have.
Abstinence only programs are very popular through the United States, and have a great rate of statistics. The Lenoir-Greene United Way agency educated “nearly 500 students through the Adolescent Pregnancy Program” (Campbell 1). With this program there were 500 students more that were educated about how abstinence can be practiced and obtained through prevention. Many schools do not provide abstinence only programs but now, Abstinence-only sex education now comprises “23 percent of sex education in the public schools the United States, up from 2 percent of the total in 1988” (Livni). Since 1988 there were not as many abstinence only programs that were provided in high schools throughout the United States. It has been provided that with certain statistics “one-fourth of 15-year-olds have had sexal intercourse at least once, and more than half of 17-year-olds are sexually active”. (WebMD) Because teens now at an early age are now having sex, abstinence programs are more needed than ever to prevent any unplanned pregnancies or STIs. There has been an astonishing percentage of teens that have had abstinence schooling. At an amazingly 84% of teens have received abstinence instructions (HealthResearchFunding). There are many proven statistics proving that abstinence programs are greatly needed as well as that they should be provided throughout the entire United States.
There are many proven statistics that show abstinence programs work, and how the programs overall have affected people's thoughts and actions.
“Abstinent teens report, on average, better psychological well-beings and higher educational attainment than those who are sexually active” (1 The Heritage Foundation). Teens that have not had sexual intercourse seem to do better psychologically, than ones that have had sex. With abstinence programs it is “good for keeping the families steady and bringing down the divorce rate” (William Wan). Abstinence is also a good idea to make family life better and closer as well as not getting a divorce. Many think that abstinence is mostly based on not having sexual intercourse, abstinence can also be based on making families and relationships stronger and better. The programs itself is mainly focused on getting people to refrain from sexual intercorse; although, the programs are also focused on certain skills people can use in later life. With these
programs, the end goal… is nothing less than the restoration of the institution of marriage in America today. As such, abstinence education is on the front lines of the battle to strengthen future marriages by helping teens to avoid the many potential negative consequences of sexual activity that can complicate and burden a marriage relationship… (Electronic Ardell Wellness Report)
Abstinence programs not only stop sexual intercourse, but it also helps teens with their relationships for the future. If teens do have sexual intercourse, in their future years they will have more of a problem through their family and relationships. If they do not have sexual intercourse in their teen years, it is more likely for their marriage to be stronger than those who are not abstinence. Abstinence programs are used to abstain from sexual intercourse as well as providing structure for families and relationships to engage a positive future.
Many do not think about abstinence programs when thinking about sexual education.
Abstinence programs can be found all around The United States. Abstinence programs can prevent interactions of sexual activity, and teach young teens the provided source which is abstinence. There are many statistics shown that abstinence programs are effective, how these programs will help young teens proform abstinence, and the effectiveness of using abstinence correctly. Abstinence only programs are the best and most efficient ways to prevent unwanted pregnancies, or having the problem of the effects sex can do to someone. Abstinence only programs also provide great life lessons for teens and their future. The programs are underrated and should be taken more seriously through schools. With abstinence teen that “practise sexual abstinence are less likely to have depression, less likely to attempt suicide, and less likely to live in poverty as adults” (HealthResearchFunding). Abstinence programs should be available and put into sexual education classes throughout all schools in the United States and in other
countries.