For the first time in 15 years, the teen birth rate has increased 3%. Government health officials are calling it a statistical blip but experts believe the cause is the abstinence-only education pushed by the Bush administration that doesn't teach about contraception. At the same time, other reports do indicate that condom use has gone up among teens.
I have no problem with abstinence education, I just take issue with the "only" part of it. The idea that if you don't talk about having sex and just say no no no will fix everything is ignorance. Actually its dangerous and irresponsible. There are literally lives at stake and to not take every step is making sure that they are safe, be it no sex or covered sex, should be taken. All sex education should stress abstinence but no that teenagers will be teenagers and some will have sex anyway. So arm them with the knowledge they need to get pregnant and get STDs. Abstinence and contraception should be the education standard in this country. (source)
amen. the abstinence talk alone is definitely impractical. unfortunately some curricula incorporate only limited reference to birth control and no information about places like planned parenthood. i think that honestly, even talking about birth control loses its worth if kids don't even know where to get other types either.
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