I should have quoted him probably, since it is his non-sequitor that annoys me. But, I don't think you're right that abstinence is merely a lack of something with any replacement. Just as people can load all sorts of meaning on to fasting, one can do the same (and do) with abstinence.
Knowing firsthand the predatory nature of teenage boys (and men in general to a lesser extent), there really is no double standard. Every situation is different, but I would apply different standards to men and women as they are different creatures sexually. For example, p*rnography is a sex industry IMO (and not "art"). It is almost 100 percent geared towards men. Why? Because men and women have different reactions sexually. As to the actual topic - I was responding to "abstinence is ignorance". As in, someone who chooses NOT to have sex is "dumb". Considering that the topic of abstinence is almost always in regard to teenagers (and NOT adults), I just happen to think that is a rather pointed statement that I disagree with.
So if they choose to be abstinent, I suppose you will be disappointed then because they are "ignorant"? I'm all for education, but I'm against making fun of virgins. To me, that's as bad as calling someone a slut. There are always risks to sex - and there is no such thing as "safe" sex. A teenager can be well educated of these risks and make an educated choice to abstain from sex until he or she feels they are more mature. I don't consider that being stupid.
I don't think the analogy really fits. I suppose I am ignorant about how kill someone then because I abstain from murdering people. Also - abstinence during your formative teenage years is far different from becoming a nun. Here's a question for you "progessives" then. At what age is it okay for children to start having sex? Are you okay with child sex "predators"? Because, in a way, these people - while seemingly taking advantage of children - are also "educating" and "enlightening" them. Or should I say - making them "not ignorant" as some of you would seemingly phrase it. Personally - I think children and young teens shouldn't be having sex. Call me an old-fashioned wingnut if you want.
I think you are missing the point of the original article. I don't think anyone is saying that teenagers should be having sex but that attempts to prevent it through abstinence pledges doesn't work. Abstinence for teens is a good concept in theory but doesn't work in practice. Recognizing that fact the next best thing is to make teens aware of the inherent risks in sex and to give them the knowledge to minimize those risks. As far as equating sex education with pedophilia that is a canard as any good sex education program won't be looking to encourage teens to have sex with adults and will also make teens aware of the problems of things like STD's and pregnancy. I highly doubt a pedophile will look to educate their victims by informing them of STD's.
I also think abstinence-only prevention programs are stupid too. I'm responding to those who think that the actual choice to not have sex is ignorant. Mostly everyone is going to have sex at some point. Old-fashioned rednecks like me just think that young teens might be better off waiting a bit. And that the choice to wait a few years does not make you dumb.
From my experience a conservative catholic school is like any other private school catering towards middle to upper income families... Closer to Animal House on weekends than what people generally perceive. I think teen pregnancies might be somehow tied to the socio-economic environments more than religious backgrounds. Sex education wasn't anything that we all didn't already know but then you watch all these programmes where kids are completely clueless about their bodies, contraception, etc... As for these pledgers it might do more with personality than anything else. The type of people attracted to these kind of fads are maybe more naive or trusting than others.
You mean abstinence pledges don't work in practice. I think there has perhaps been a laziness in language in this thread that has caused some misunderstanding. An abstinence program or curriculum is a different thing from abstinence itself. It is too easy to say "abstinence" to refer to the program and be understood to be talking of abstinence itself.
LOL. No, JV, for real: abstinence doesn't work. These teens are that fertile; you can't let them breathe the same air!
