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Abstinence education has never been effective anywhere to prevent anything, be it teen pregnancy or the spread of STDs. It's also worth noting that in the State
by FussyZeus 10y ago
Abstinence education has never been effective anywhere to prevent anything, be it teen pregnancy or the spread of STDs. It's also worth noting that in the States, the states with the highest emphasis on Abstinence only education have the highest rates of teen pregnancies.
As it turns out, hormonal teenagers when left alone will have sex regardless of how much they are told not to. I know, I used to be one. Apparently this lesson still needs teaching in huge parts of the world.
- criley2 10y agoIt's a lesson which contradicts traditional religion and as such is willfully ignored as a matter of religious pride. They're not stupid. They can read the same reports and data as you. But they're religious. When faced with choosing data based policy and religious based policy, their reelection chances and their personal convictions lead them to religious based policy. It's like the saying "you can't logic someone out of an idea that they didn't logic themselves into" If you think you can 'teach' a religious politician why data refutes their beliefs, you're in for a very bad time.
- FussyZeus 10y agoI would counter that ignoring hard data with such a loud consensus that's relatively easy to read in favor of emotional appeal or personal belief is the very definition of stupid. Edit: That was poorly worded. Bad Zeus.
- nemik 10y ago:( I think you just called yourself stupid.
- putlake 10y agoWell data suggests that 90% of new companies fail. So anyone who starts a new company is stupid, right? I'm not advocating in favor of the religious people who go about preaching abstinence and spending taxpayer money on it. If I were in a position to influence this stuff, I'd fight their efforts. All I'm saying is it's wrong to call someone stupid when we don't understand all their motivations.
- FussyZeus 10y agoWe aren't talking a 90% though, we're talking more like a 99.9999%. There is not a single case I know of where Abstinence has been effective at its stated goals. And yes if in the current economy businesses fail at a 99.9999% rate, you are stupid to start a business.
- jrcii 10y ago>hormonal teenagers when left alone will have sex regardless Because you have no faith doesn't mean no one else does, what you're saying is false. There are people who obey God, even though you clearly can't imagine it.
- FussyZeus 10y agoSpeaking as a Christian, here's the thing: People fuck up. A lot. Everyone does and yeah, it would be a great thing if people would wait for "the one" before they went ahead with the act. Out here in the real world, sometimes you think you found the one. Other times you just get stuck in a heated moment and do something dumb. It happens. And when it happens you should be equipped with the knowledge to keep yourself safe. I don't have a problem with Abstinence, I have a problem with Abstinence ONLY because it denies people who we are expecting to act as adults incredibly valuable information for their health and their future. I mean seriously, would you buy a car with no airbags in it and when you ask about it, the salesman says "Well just don't crash then?"
- gscott 10y agoI am a religious person but I don't believe you can use God to regulate hormones. The deep seated need to do what your body tells you to do is too powerful. However Religion is good for how you go about doing so for example you have a desperate need but avoid criminality around that need because it is morally wrong.
- rimantas 10y agoDid god personally told you to abstain? It is always a bunch of morons who imagine that they know better than god himself how others are supposed to live.