Abstinence only sex ed works says...the Washington Post?!

[shagdrum]

Abstinence-only programs might work, study says
By Rob Stein

Sex education classes that focus on encouraging children to remain abstinent can persuade a significant proportion to delay sexual activity, researchers reported Monday in a landmark study that could have major implications for U.S. efforts to protect young people against unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.

Only about a third of sixth- and seventh-graders who completed an abstinence-focused program started having sex within the next two years, researchers found. Nearly half of the students who attended other classes, including ones that combined information about abstinence and contraception, became sexually active.

The Obama administration eliminated more than $170 million in annual federal funding targeted at abstinence programs after a series of reports concluded that the approach was ineffective. Instead, the White House is launching a $114 million pregnancy prevention initiative that will fund only programs that have been shown scientifically to work -- a program the administration on Monday proposed expanding to $183 million...

 

[fossten]

Abstinence works every time it's tried.

 

[topher5150]

give a kid a condom and tell them not to use it doesn't work. if i have a gun and you give me bullets i'm going to want to shoot it

 

[foxpaws]

I looked at the study and there isn't a combination option..

including ones that combined information about abstinence and contraception

Here are the options
An 8-hour abstinence-only intervention targeted reduced sexual intercourse
An 8-hour safer sex–only intervention targeted increased condom use
An 8-hour and 12-hour comprehensive interventions targeted sexual intercourse and condom use
An 8-hour health-promotion control intervention targeted health issues unrelated to sexual behavior

Without the abstinence/contraception option the study is pretty flawed...

 

[jhargarage]

At least our gov't officials lead by example.

 

[04SCTLS]

What also makes this study different from most is there was no religious overtones in this abstinence and these students were encouraged to wait until they were ready for sex instead of waiting till they got married.
That's a big difference.

 

[shagdrum]

What also makes this study different from most is there was no religious overtones in this abstinence and these students were encouraged to wait until they were ready for sex instead of waiting till they got married.
That's a big difference.

Unless you can empirically PROVE that variable made a "big difference" (let alone even being a factor) that is nothing more then speculation on your part.

 

[shagdrum]

Without the abstinence/contraception option the study is pretty flawed...

A "abstinence/contraception" option is not necessary to prove weather or not abstinence programs are effective.

However, under your listing, it was the third option; 8-hour and 12-hour comprehensive interventions targeted sexual intercourse and condom use

 

[04SCTLS]

Unless you can empirically PROVE that variable made a "big difference" (let alone even being a factor) that is nothing more then speculation on your part.

Just pointing out the differences in this study compared to the usual abstinence program.
You can draw your own conclusions.

 

[fossten]

A "abstinence/contraception" option is not necessary to prove weather or not abstinence programs are effective.

However, under your listing, it was the third option; 8-hour and 12-hour comprehensive interventions targeted sexual intercourse and condom use

*owned*

Tsk tsk, Fox, did you leave your bifocals in the drawer? Oh, but not to worry, I'm sure you'll weasel out of it by pointing out a spelling error or something.

 

[shagdrum]

You can draw your own conclusions.

...not empirically.

This study empirically supports only certain specific conclusions. Anything else is speculation based in assumption.

 

[04SCTLS]

...not empirically.

This study empirically supports only certain specific conclusions. Anything else is speculation based in assumption.

You remind me of Spock and Data sometimes with your studious arguments

 

[fossten]

You remind me of Spock and Data sometimes with your studious arguments

And you remind me of Chekov in Star Trek IV - not too bright, but amusing nonetheless.

 

[04SCTLS]

And you remind me of Chekov in Star Trek IV - not too bright, but amusing nonetheless.

It doesn't suck to be me!
You're always so serious
You should smile more often

 

[foxpaws]

A "abstinence/contraception" option is not necessary to prove weather or not abstinence programs are effective.

However, under your listing, it was the third option; 8-hour and 12-hour comprehensive interventions targeted sexual intercourse and condom use

Shag - does it have abstinence in that part of the study- I looked at it and it doesn't seem to indicate that was one of the options discussed. I can't get access to the full study - I am not a member. What would indicate to you that abstinence was included?

I also find it rather funny that the study depends on the honesty of teenagers when discussing sex. If you have taught them that sex should be held off until marriage, and then ask them have they had sex, I wonder what they would say? Why would you assume they are telling the truth, or just telling the study what they think they should tell the study.

 

[shagdrum]

What would indicate to you that abstinence was included?

Unless the article is flat out lying (unlikely in this case, especially considering the typical bias of the source) that would be the only option that could include both.

 

[foxpaws]

Unless the article is flat out lying (unlikely in this case, especially considering the typical bias of the source) that would be the only option that could include both.

Ah, a guess. I was wondering this because so many times things get skewed because the obvious option isn't included. If you find out for certain that the combo option was included I would like to know. This is an interesting study - a nice tip of the iceberg. Of course, the real test is for this study to continue to monitor these children and find out if the rate of teenage pregnancy rises in any particular group. That probably would be the most telling and 'factual' way to track results.

 

[n8bachelor]

Self-report surveys have the potential to be misleading. Simply due to the fact that people have apprehension about admitting something that may be "wrong" or illegal. And still others feel the need to brag about something they have not done but wanted to.

While teenage pregnancy does have some correlation with sexual activity it is not a linear relationship. One group of teens could be having lots of sex and using protection properly and have the same pregnancy rate as another group whose majority is abstinent and the remainder did not use protection.

It is a big issue certainly. I feel if I had been more educated as a young teen rather than authority just saying "don't do it" I would have waited longer before becoming sexually active.

 

[fossten]

It doesn't suck to be me!
You're always so serious
You should smile more often

I'm smiling right now - sometimes I neglect to use smilies though, I admit it.

 

[shagdrum]

Self-report surveys have the potential to be misleading. Simply due to the fact that people have apprehension about admitting something that may be "wrong" or illegal. And still others feel the need to brag about something they have not done but wanted to.

There are ways to reduce that type of error but it is always going to be present to some degree in these type of studies. The mere presence of error does not, in any way, negate that validity of the study.

 

[shagdrum]

Ah, a guess.

A logical inference is not a guess.

I was wondering this because so many times things get skewed because the obvious option isn't included.

"Obvious" option?

Again, an abstinence and contraception option is not relevant to determining weather or not abstinence only sex ed is effective.

Besides, traditional sex ed has already been proven a failure.

 

[fossten]

Ah, a guess. I was wondering this because so many times things get skewed because the obvious option isn't included. If you find out for certain that the combo option was included I would like to know. This is an interesting study - a nice tip of the iceberg. Of course, the real test is for this study to continue to monitor these children and find out if the rate of teenage pregnancy rises in any particular group. That probably would be the most telling and 'factual' way to track results.

Despite your ad nauseum arguing, do you deny that abstinence works every time it's tried?

 

[foxpaws]

There are ways to reduce that type of error but it is always going to be present to some degree in these type of studies. The mere presence of error does not, in any way, negate that validity of the study.

Why shag - these are teenagers. How much stock do you put into what a pre-teen/ten says about sex. How truthful were you regarding sex as a teenager?

Why would the study not have questionable results?

 

[foxpaws]

Despite your ad nauseum arguing, do you deny that abstinence works every time it's tried?

Works every single time -

How often is it adhered to? Ask Bristol Palin...

 

[fossten]

Why shag - these are teenagers. How much stock do you put into what a pre-teen/ten says about sex. How truthful were you regarding sex as a teenager?

Getting awfully personal, aren't you, fox? Or are you projecting? I guess it's a liberal thing to assume that everybody lies about everything. I mean, we all assume it of you...