Now that sex ed is pretty common in most high schools, a recent study is showing that talking about sex and birth control options is actually working!
Out of the 1,700 unmarried, heterosexual teens between 15- and 19-years-old that participated in this study, about two-thirds of them had been through comprehensive sex ed programs (which included learning about sex, birth control methods, and STIs). One-quarter were taught "abstinence only," and 10 percent received no formal sex ed. This study found that 60 percent of the teens who had received extensive sex ed were less likely to have become pregnant or get someone else pregnant. This study also showed that thorough sex education was much more effective at preventing teen pregnancies compared to sex ed programs, which taught teens to just say no to sex.
This is great news for people who may think talking about sex will make teens want to go out and do it. Kids are going to be having sex whether you talk about it or not, so we as adults have the responsibility to educate kids about how to protect themselves against STIs and prevent unwanted pregnancies.
Farfetch
farfetch.com
Evisu Eu Ed
I could have told ya this
1The more you know about babies and birth control at that age, the less you want one!
agreed lovely
2I'm SOOOO glad they did a study like this! Maybe states like mine will eventually listen?
3finally~! kids need to know the truth about sex - pretending that all teens are going to abstain is just ridiculous!
4you mean educating young people works???
5Our school district does abstinence only, and it makes me mad...I work for a program that provides mentoring for expecting moms (almost all teenage moms, and it operates the Big Sister/Little Sister model), and when I do my assessments I'm amazed at the fact that they didn't use any birth control (well, not really that amazed, since they ARE pregnant lol), but they know all about it. It's hard to get them to be honest, but I'm alarmed at the number of teen pregnancies that are PLANNED. At least in the inner-city, it's this disturbing trend that girls want guys that aren't even their boyfriends to get them pregnant...if he wants to have a baby by you, he likes you. It doesn't surprise me that teen pregnancy is on a decline, but I kinda think that's the unplanned variety and we still have very young girls that really want to get pregnant, and that's disturbing to me.
6well DER!!!!! I applaud the schools that offer a detailed sex-ed program. Why are we so afraid to talk to kids about sex and yet we inundate them with sexual images in advertising and media every day?
7Well Duh! If you just tell them not to do it of course they are gonna do it!
8Oh heck yes... I lost my virginity in high school, but not until I got myself on the pill, obsessively research condoms to use, and I never thought anal or oral sex was "safe" or let me remain a virgin. I'm still shocked when I meet women who know NOTHING about their bodies or the male body, much less how to keep themselves safe. Thank goodness for sex ed!
9this isn't shocking, what's shocking is that it took them this long to "figure it out".
10It's sad that studies like this even need to be published. It's all common sense to me, and I see that it is for all you other intelligent, educated ladies out there.
When are these dolts going to realize that people are going to screw whether or not we know the names of all the parts? I mean, the human race is still around for a reason, and that reason is the physical act of coitus is not rocket science - ROUND PEG, ROUND HOLE - doesn't get much simpler than that. It's the other stuff, the scary facts of life, "Hey, what's this rash," kinda stuff that kids need to know in order to protect themselves.
Furthermore, it pisses me off that these people think it's a good idea to portray sex as something that's bad and shameful... it's no wonder that so many people end up with weird hangups and have trouble performing in the sack. I'll never understand how someone decided that it's okay for children to see people getting shot at and blown up in a movie, but NOT to see two people enjoying something that is very much a part of life. I'd say that these folks need to get their priorities straightened out.
11I don't think it's sad that these studies have to be published - I think it's completely necessary. No policies or programs should be put in place without an evaluation. And if it's public policy, that evaluation has to be made public record.
And I wouldn't assume right off the bat that sex ed is successful - look at the recent outcome evaluations for the DARE drug prevention programs.
I'm sure these studies are done on a semi-regular basis and this isn't the first time they're studying teen pregnancy and sex ed, guys.
12After learning about what happens if you get pregnant and looking at gross pictures of std'd people's genitalia, I'm pretty sure it would scare you away from having sex, too Not that it scares away most, though, but some, as you can see.
13Big Fat DUH.
14I live in Canada and we have much lower rates of teen pregnancy than the U.S. We have sex education, not just someone telling us to abstain! What's the point in that? Anyone can tell a teen not to have sex, that does not mean that they will listen. Education is power, the more you know about a subject the more you are able to make an informed choice. I am confused as to why right wing conservatives in the U.S. ever thought this was a smart idea! Ignorance leads to mistakes!
15I agree with lovely_1 the more informed you are about it all the more you will think about the possible consequences and take preventative measures.
16I guess it helps. But they've had this education stuff around for generations now. Teenage pregnancies are a fact of life. Sometimes a lower percent, sometimes a higher percent. Up and down. Up and down. Through the generations. Like having a steak with a baked potatoe.
17It's just a fact of life.
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