Politics

The thing that is on my mind is Bristol Palin. I can’t get her out of my head. Actually, I can’t get what she represents out of my head. To me, she represents exactly what is wrong with “Abstinence Only” “sex education”. 

“Abstinence Only” is touted as the “best” sex education for kids and the problem is that this just is not true. There is no evidence this kind of “education” has lasting impact (1).

Kids who go through these programs have the same age of sexual debut, the same number of partners, and the same condom use rates. (2)

Same, same, same is not best.

Good sex education is about the long run – kids don’t start out having sex, they work up to it. Most kids have sex for the first time at about 16  or 17. This is plenty of time to make sure they are prepared to protect themselves from pregnancy, STDs and HIV.

Don’t get me wrong, I believe kids need and want a strong message of abstinence or postponement from their parents and from our culture. Our values are what are kids need to hear from us, so they can develop their own.

And if kids don't have parents who are able to do this important job, our government should be helping these kids get what they need so they wait to have sex and then do it safely. 

But expecting teenagers to abstain from sex until they are married is foolishness. 95% of Americans have sex before they get married (3). That’s pretty much everyone.

So, when I see pregnant Bristol Palin up there with her mom, I think we are looking at our future under a McCain/Palin Presidency, because these two think “Abstinence Only” is the way to go. They think it’s best.

How nice to have it spelled out.