HMmmmmm ....Abstinence programs might work

Abstinence only programs might work

While this is wonderful, the following paragraph got to me . . . snip . . .

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.

So this means only b] one third of 8th & 9th graders had sex. That just is wrong on every level.

Why, because more didn't?

Buccs - that's a whole new level of creepy.

<------ gave his word to stop at third

^^^^^ hasn't hit a triple in his life

for AG:

www.truecompanion.com

::rubs promise ring::

Why, because I made a joke about teenagers and sex?

I was 12 in 8th grade - I guess that's what I was thinking.

8th grade was the best four years of my life

I also suppose the male & female perspective is a bit different.

In 8th grade I was scared of girls...of course, I also attended Catholic school...we had been harped on from 5th grade on about hands off...

I went to Catholic school until 5th grade. I guess that explains the difference

I was afraid of girls in the 8th grade as well.

I guess I was scared of them too, but in that sort of reverential way, if you know what I'm saying.

now that I'm older, wiser, and married, I'm more in fear of them than I was in 8th grade!

As you should.

I agree. If only I wasn't so short sighted back then...

Good thing I never made it past the eight grade...ha ha...safe!

Actuall, I didn't have sex until I met my wife. She was my first and hopefully my last. Nothing religious about it, just wanted it to be special.

"One of the things that's exciting about this study is that it says we have a new tool to add to our repertoire," said Monica Rodriguez, vice president for education and training at the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States


This is the sentenance that made me just shake my head....Abstinence is a "NEW TOOL" to add to our repertoire. Since when was abstinence a new way to teach about safe sex? Was abstinence an 'ahhh hahhh' moment for Ms. Rodriquez? I have a 16 year old daughter who at this point wants to wait until she's married to have sex. And yes for her it does have a religious reason, but more importantly it has to do with her self respect and wanting to give that gift to the one she chooses to spend the rest of her life with....

A few years ago I mentored an 8th grader....I had been with her a few weeks when she found out she was pregnant...in 8th grade...I just wanted to weep for her....

A pregnant 8th grader, that's just awful. It's hard enough being a parent in my late 20's. I can't imagine being 12 or 13 and being responsible for another human life.

Who are we to judge?

Who's judging? Just saying being a parent at 13 hurts my heart. No judgement, just compassion.

I don't see many of the naysayers posting.....

:stares:

Craig and Arianna had sound advice.

Safe sex is in your hands.

I don't have any problem with the type of abstinence program that the study used, which included the idea of waiting until you're ready, but didn't vilify the use of birth control, and didn't use any of the false information prevalent in many of the abstinence ONLY programs that are in contrast to this education. Those I have a problem with.

I believe education and information is key to keeping our kids safe and not pregnant so young.

Umm AG - a "you might spit on your computer monitor warning" would have been nice here.

Ha!

abstinence works every time.........

Well without getting too graphic or technical that is only true, generally speaking. I remember 8th grade health class. And I watch L&O SVU!

absence makes the heart grow fonder

how would you know anything about absence, with that social calendar you employ?

My younger son is in 8th grade now. Picturing any one of his classmates as an expectant parent is horrifying, as well as sad. They aren't even comfortable in their new puberty skin just yet. I am grateful my husband and I speak openly with our boys, and hope they are as open with us as we think they are.

And sometimes makes the heart go wander.

::applauds CheshireAliCat::