June 30, 2007
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Teenage Birth Rate
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention released findings that indicated that in 2005 the teenage birth rate dropped to a 65-year low.
I was just reading an article that was discussing the factors that played into the drop. The article was crediting both “comprehensive sex education” and a “abstinence-only” message. Here is the link: Link
What do you think is more likely to lead to a reduction of teenage pregnancy, a “safe sex” message or an “abstinence-only” message?
Comments (133)
safe sex
safe sex
of course i think that abstinence is a really good thing, but no matter what, kids are still going to be having sex, so i think its really important to teach equal sides to both.
safe sex. abstinence only has been tried for generations and not yielded great results.
safe sex. I don’t think there is an arugment
safe sex.
to be quite honest, abstinence-only sex education is only going to work on kids who are more open to the idea of abstinence in the first place. for the most part, we need to educate our children. not encourage them to have sex, or even safe sex, but say that if they are going to have sex, be ready, be respectful, be safe, and be informed and educated.
i don’t think its our place to tell teenagers when to have sex and when not to. we’re supposed to be giving them the information they need to make their own decisions, and to make them well.
Chastity belts.
Logically, I would say abstinence as it is the only fail-safe way to not get pregnant. However, in todays culture, that message isn’t going to get very far. People want to live the way they want to live, and the minute you start telling them that a different way to live is better they stop up their ears. So, I think that the general public will be more responsive to a “safe sex” message.
I’m against abstinence, cause I think it’s fine if you use a condom.
Safe sex worked, I reckon. If they’re gonna go do it, telling them how to protect themselves was more important than telling them not to…because kids will piss off authorities when they can if they say ‘don’t do it’.
Kind of like the kid and the fire….no matter how much a kid is told no, they always try, at least once.
’nuff said….
statistically, abstinence-only education has no effect. (which isn’t terribly surprising, since it doesn’t address the heart issue of the sin, only the symptom.) i think my (public) high school did a pretty good job of emphasizing that abstinence was the only sure way to avoid all the complications of sex, but if you’re going to do it, do it safely.
the higher availability of birth control, no doubt.
neither. we need to threaten kids with reality. give thme a baby for a day.
safe sex. After a while, you bother your own friends to be safe… They might tell you about their sex or what they did and you asked if they used a condom, or if they were on the pill… and if they messed up you tell them about the morning after pill and to get checked for STD’s. So the education kind of spreads to those who weren’t listening too.
safe sex
I am going to agree with most of the posters and say safe-sex education helped to contribute to the drop. Even if you were unlucky enough to be stuck in a school that taught abstinence-only education, there are enough cues in society (television, movies, music, internet, etc.) that at least get the word out there that if you take unwieldy risks, you might end up pregnant – or much, much worse.
I think it’s up to parents to take over where our schools may fail. If my child is someday in a school that won’t teach about safe sex practices I will certainly take up the reins at home, however uncomfortable that dreaded conversation may be.
Safe Sex! Studies have shown that abstinence education doesn’t work. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18093769/
HA, definitely safe sex, very few people i know anymore follow the abstinence path
I think both are effective. Clearly, most will ignore the abstinance only message, but some will not and that’s a great start. Safe sex has it’s place too and possibly a greater place, but I am pleased with the teaching of both
Promote gay sex and then no one will get pregnant.
safe sex message…
Safe sex. If a teenager really wants to have sex, they’re going to. At least have them be prepared. Besides, even safe sex ed classes teach abstinence. They just educate you if you DO have sex. Which I see no problem with.
Safe sex, definitely. Teenagers are pretty much going to do it anyways, so they might as well be educated on protection methods. Although it doesn’t take any extra effort to throw in the ‘abstinence only’ message.
Both. I do think we need safe sex programs in schools, but also to remind kids that no matter what Planned Parenthood says (and would they lie to us?!), abstinance is the only thing that is guarenteed to prevent pregnancy.
Both. Abstinence is still the only sure way not to get pregnant and get stds, and that needs to be made known to kids, but they also need to know about safe sex methods, because they are just kids, they are having hormone rushes, and the majority of them will end up having sex before they get married.
It’s definitely important to stress the safe sex part…but i think both messages will appeal to different kinds of people. I tried explain that to my grandmother and she almost had a heartattack…silly old people just doing understand acceptance
“statistically, abstinence-only education has no effect”
You need to learn to read stats. Put another way, Abstinence-only education has as good an effect and any sex education program ever put into effect. Yes that is not much of one.
Sadly my guess is that abortion is a major player in this stat. And the fact that teen marriage, and therefore intentional births to 19 year olds, has become rare.
safe sex… But I’m all for scaring the cap out of them… I think HD’s idea of a baby for a day is a great one…
Oh! Also… pictures and film strips on STD’s on a regular basis isn’t a bad idea either lol
safe sex
Both. And neither. Messages don’t and can’t reduce pregnancy by themselves. Personal responsibility must play a part. Could it really be that kids are simply making better decisions? Maybe it’s just something in the water…
CONDOMS
Mandatory Capital Punishment for anyone involved in such activities or allowing such activities to take place. That would drop the teenage birthrate to zero or very close as it is hard to hide when one is pregnant which would lead to immediate death. Harsh though it may be it would solve the problem and that is all we are looking for isn’t it?
Both . . . I agree with
<LI class=itemsubmitter>Cheyenne17124
A strong family and strong parents that convey an abstinence message early but is not afraid to answer the kid’s questions about sex. Really. That is what worked with me and my brother. School comprehensive sex ed programs help, but ultimately the onus is on the family to do their job.
Did anyone check to see what the abortion rate was?
Safe sex. It works in Sweden and hopefully it’s working here. Let’s face it, being one myself, teenagers are impulsive. If they want to have sex, at least they know how to do it right.
the second message should be more effective, but then those that do not follow it won’t be as likely to use protection.
um… in the first place you typed a “abstinence-only”
Also, they’re handing out birth control pills like candy now, so that could also be a reason for the drop in pregnancy rates.
Abstinence-only education has been proven time and time again to be incredibly ineffective. Education is your only and best tool– education about how sex and reproduction works (not letting rumors like “jumping up and down after sex will keep you from getting pregnant” continue, for example), and education and access to birth control options. Those are the only things that will truly reduce unwanted pregnancies.
Teens should smoke lots and lots of pot, to lower sperm count, and teen pregnancy rates will fall…
safe sex, obviously
Some commenters raise a good point – abortion rates should be checked – I would not be surprised if abortion rates were currently at an all time high.
how about making aids seem more easier to get than it really is?
Safe sex. When I was in Israel we asked our tour guide about teenage pregnancy & abortion in Israel. He said it didn’t happen. Then one of the people on the tour said they have sex earlier than Americans. He agreed. They always use birth control there. The same is true of most European countries.
psh. safe sex. duh.
i am glad to see that most people are arguing safe sex. thank god.
safe sex
Well method wise abstinence is the only guaranteed way to not have a kid. However I’m doubting that abstinence alone is what brought those numbers down because abstinence has always been taught. Both need to be combined though. Because safe sex is not a guarantee and so long as they understand that it might lead to some abstinence.
Uh…..safe sex and knowing the woman’s cycle. Enough said!
safe sex
safe sex. cuz i sure as heck know the girls around my school aren’t virgins…
safe sex.
Safe sex. Especially in such a secular world.
Usually the only reason people wait to have sex til they get married is if they are religious.
I said USUALLY people I realize there are exceptions so dont harp at me.
That is all
safe sex.
I wonder what the STI rate is…
I think instead of making it a competition we should use these two methods together… teach about abstinence but if you have sex… safe sex…
abstinence
safe sex
RYC: Yeah, I’ve seen the light, lol. Actually, I have good reasons to not like Wal*Mart…most people don’t know what they are talking about with their reasons.
my school taught safe sex and abstinence, so both.
I’d be interested in the abortion rates. Have they gone up in teenagers? Probably….. YES so are teens really getting pregnant less? No they are just figuring out how to get around it.
i doubt that, and it still doesn’t change that they are making birthcontrol more widely available so it DOES go down if you use it correctly.
is teenage birth rate the same as teenage pregnancy? a teen could be pregnant but not give birth. could abortion have been a factor in the low birth rate? or do they consider abortion part of comprehensive sex education?
Abstinence.
castration
safe sex!
Both safe sex and abstinence need to be taught, because (sadly) abstinence messages alone may not work. I attended private schools from kindergarten through college, and though our Christian-based sex education strongly emphasized abstinence, many of my classmates were no longer virgins by the 8th grade. Teens are probably going to do it anyway, so it’s better to educate them on how to be safe and responsible about it. But as for those that do choose the abstinence route, more power to ‘em!
Education.
safe sex
safe sex
safe sex.
celibacy is the only drug on the market that prevents the occurences of STDs and babies
I hate to be cynical, but I’m inclined to believe it’s just a chance fluke that fewer teens got pregnant in 2005. I favor a combined approach (encourage abstinence and teach about safe sex) for sex education though.
Well since both are taught it gives the impression of “you make your choice.” Teaching abstinence over safe sex is by far more cost effective to everyone. Not only against pregnancy, but STD’s and government funding.
If the family or schools choose to teach more on safe sex, how about they take on some of responsibilty of the consequences of their own teaching? I bet abstinence would look like a better choice.
Oh, safe sex. Abstinence only doesn’t really do much.
safe sex!
no matter how “innocent” you think they are, they’re still hormonal little demons who just want to get in someones elses pants, so safe sex all the way.
I think the only thing that really works for todays kids is safe sex. They are gonna do it anyway and at least that way they are not going to believe the dumb shit their friends tell them like…she can’t get pregnut if it is her first time.
safe sex
Safe sex. Abstinence only sounds kind of humorous.
I think it is good for teens/adults to know about safe sex, but the best solution is abstinence. You really need good support for that though. You need to be accountable to someone and more than one would be for the best. Your parents would be a good start. Your best friend or a mentor who will ask you the hard questions. The pressures put on teens today is overwhelming. I understand very well why some just give in to avoid all the hassle. It is no easier when you get to be an adult.
This is why I promote Anal Sex! It’s the best way to have sex without anyone getting pregnant or hurt*. Forget about taking hour long classes where all you’re going to see is some 60 year old lady put a condom on a banana. It’s not the prettiest of sights and you really don’t need to be put to shame by a banana either!
So remember kids, Anal is the new… making out??? Stick it in her bum and we all have won!
*Having anal sex may cause bleeding, soreness of the anus, anal leakage and/or discharge. Sorry ladies!
Safe sex.
Abstinence-only has been tried, and it failed.
Safe sex, no doubt. Everyone knows (or should know) if you tell a kid not to do something, they’ll just want to do it more. If they’re going to do it, they should be educated and make the right choices. Which is what we’re supposed to be doing for our children for every walk of life. Now we need to up the safe sex talk to include disease. There’s more than just pregnancy involved in unsafe sex practice. What’s the teenage Chlamydia rate at these days?
safe sex. Not all kids are going to wait till marriage no matter how much you tell them to, so when they do do it, at least they’ll know how to protect themselves.
Safe sex.
Because they’ll do it anyway.
Haha, I say “they.” How weird, I’m 17. I should be included in that category.
♥
Abstinence-only is better for society on the whole, but safe-sex probably produces better results at first (even though it’s cultural suicide in the long run).
Both should be explained. Abstinance being the only 100% effective method.
I read in a couple of comments where ppl mention “today’s culture.” There is no real difference between “today’s culture” and any other culture in the past. Ppl have sex at whatever age because it’s just a natural thing to do. I don’t think just having one or the other is enough. Teach our kids both. Safe sex is important, but abstaining is an option they should also consider.
safe sex, that’s just common sense. plus, you can still be abstinent and know about safe sex!
I think both..
I work at a pregnancy center and their main goal is to teach absistance. I believe this is really, really important, however, I know it does not work all for all kids. (“What do you mean I can’t do that? YES I CAN!” sort of attitude.) Because of that, even though I believe in absistance and not safe sex, I think you should present both.
Being a Teenage mother my self,I think it would be a safe sex message. I also think all teenage girls need to get on of those fake baby dolls that keep you up all night for a week.
safe sex.
Both I guess. I don’t know.
abortion
Abstinence-only isn’t working, so of course safe-sex.
chastity belts
Neither. I think a concentrated course on current world events and issues is the best way to avoid unwanted pregnancies. It worked for me: I came back from Iraq determined to find a great girl, marry her, graduate from college and get a good job and a nice house, and then create a few little Kahlers. I was going to live the American dream! Then I majored in political science.
Now I don’t see how any well-informed person with a conscience could ever risk bringing another life into this violent, polluted, and already over-populated world.
It could work for kids too!
http://www.guttmacher.org/media/presskits/2005/06/28/abortionoverview.html
This study says abortions decreased from 1996 to 2002.
re: cultural suicide:
If we don’t teach teens how to use birth control, when do we expect them to learn how to prevent pregnancy in an adult sexual relationship- marriage, for example. Or is it “cultural suicide” to give adults the right to choose when and if they have children?
I find the drop hard to belive. I’m not saying I don’t belive it just hard to belive. Or rather, shocking to me. Cause I’m seeing more and more girls aged 14-18 having kids. I would say safe sex though.
no glove no love
safe sex
Both.
Safe sex.
neither are affective.
i’d say the absitnence only method is probably a bit more effective, because ever since they started pushing the safe sex concept on us, more teenagers have begun having sex.
Safe sex. I know kids who have been taught abstinence only who have had sex anyway because they formed their own thoughts on sex. They don’t know how to properly use condoms or birth control. Abstinence only sex education is bull.
none of the above…i think its because girls used to get married while in their teens..and start making babies and now days most girls get married after they are 20-ish..
plus there are more lesbians now…and lesbians cant make babies…even if they are teens
I think if we make sex taboo its going to be something that teens want to do more. Its a struggle for independence. Not all of them will, not all of them can, but I think it should even be legal for them to distribute condoms in schools. At least to each states legal age and above, but make it ” easily available” in some sort of anonymous form for the other kids too. No parent really wants to let their “little babies” go, but then again, its time to get real, have all sorts of education. Knowledge is power, and with that is the power for them to feel more adult, and make better decisions. Accidents happen as we all know, even with protection. Perhaps the school nurses, should be upgraded to doctors and even be allowed to prescribe and distribute birth control such as the pill etc. Of course I have a feeling most people can’t handle my point of view, it is in fact what I think. Good topic!!
I’m sure they both contribute to the lower birth rate.
I think the safe-sex message definetly helps. I was brought up in a home that was very open to sex and the human body. At twenty I still help my mother cream her back, go to the bathroom while she is taking a shower, and the like. I have become very comfortable with my body because of this ยดopen-ness`. this coupled with the fact that me and my mother have a good relationship together… A good mother daughter not sister sister or friends.I have been able to go to her and talk to her and in turn feel more comfortable in the sexual life as well. I deffinetly think these two factors together make the difference.
safe sex, its like when yo utell someone not to do something, they want to do it more. so i think safe sex would be more effective.
I think it’s just from sex education programs describing herpes and gohnorhea…….
Men
I think it’s just from sex education programs describing herpes and gohnorhea…….
Men a
I don’t know why that posted before I hit submit, let alone twice.
The “Men” and “men a” remarks were thoughts I decided not to finish right before my computer decided to post.
Abstinence-only, all the way. True love waits until marriage.
safe sex.
Safe sex but, I think abstinence is the best choice. Call me old fashion but, thats my moral and who I am.
Safe sex. Anyone who thinks abstinence-only programs work is deluding themselves.
Safe sex. I’ve done numerous reports and surveys myself – this doesn’t make me an expert by any means but probably more knowledgeable than the average Christian. Abstinence-only just does not work in low-income districts.
Was it teenage birth rate or teenage pregnancy rate? If it’s birth rate I credit abortions. If it’s pregnancy rate… I demand a recount!
Safe sex.
Safe sex. Abstinence is so 1950.
Many teenagers will still experiment…Safe sex education was the main factor according to myself.
What is the Center for Disease Control and Prevention doing monitoring birth rates? Shouldn’t they be focusing on, say, disease control and prevention? Pregnancy is not a disease!
sex sex. teens rebellious nature makes them want to go out and do it more if you tell them they can’t.
safe sex. abstinence is ideal but not realistic with most kids. you should teach your own children abstinence, but all children should be taught about safe sex. I mean, consider a kid who’s parents aren’t really involved, who grows up watching MTV and hearing that sex is this cool, amazing thing. Do you really think his gym teacher in 9th grade is gonna convince him to abstain? Don’t think so. But if you are the kids’ parents, and you’ve been involved and taught your kid to respect themselves etc, then hearing about how to have sex safely isn’t going to change the moral compass they’ve grown up with. It’ll just help them when they decide to have sex. Because most kids don’t make it to the wedding night before they have sex, regardless of what they’ve been taught.
definately the safe sex message. Lot of my friends have sex a lot, and no matter what people tell them, they’re gonna have sex, they could really give a crap about abstinence. And since kids are gonna have sex no matter what, the safest and smartest bet is to at least educate them about safe sex so they can still have sex, but are more careful about it.
neither one works. culture is so tainted, kids are going to want sex whenever and with whomever. but if i have to choose i’ll say abstinence.
That really is a tough question because they don’t want to seem like they are encouraging sex by any means, but if no other message is getting across, “safe sex” might be the only way to help. I personally believe in abstinence, but it’s not easy to convince others who weren’t raised that way.
safe sex
society and parents getting their heads out of their asses and take responsibility for how society and parents do indeed mold young people’s minds. Yes, teens are hormones with arms and legs… but living in this society in which we live where they are bombarded with sex sex sex and pressure to be sexy at such an early age to be accepted… it’s no wonder teens are having sex and getting pregnant younger and younger.
In our school – they actually have a “Life Skills” class that kids have to take and they are given a baby for a week. Not a real one, but it reacts the same way a real one would – and it drives a lot of kids from having kids. I had my daughter at 17 – easiest way I scare kids out of having sex – I look at them square in the face and say “You wanna be stupid and have sex, think it’s fun and can’t get pregnant? Imagine pushing a watermelon out of a lemon”. It’s a little over exaggeration because of course babies aren’t THAT large, but it sure scares the hell out of them. Especially since they know that I had a daughter, really makes it more of a reality to them hearing it from a teenage mother.
T.