2008-06-25 Abstinence-only policy is bearing fruit

Specs

Date:	2008-06-25
Link:	http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2008017531_pitts26.html
Author:	Leonard Pitts Jr. (writingscat)
Source:	Seattle Times (articlescat)
Topics:	abstinence-based education Bush II administration
Categories:	abstinence-based education Bush II administration

Abstinence-only policy is bearing fruit

longer text

In June, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that a steep decline in teen sexual activity through the 1990s leveled off between 2001 and 2007. And after years of decline, the teen birth rate rose by 3 percent between 2005 and 2006.

Some will seek to blame this disturbing news on Juno or Jamie Lynn Spears, but the trends predate both. They do not, however, predate the Bush administration's abstinence-only policy, which requires that any groups or states receiving federal funds for pregnancy prevention not discuss contraception and must teach that sex outside marriage will lead to harmful psychological and physical effects. In other words, they cannot talk about sex or help children who do have sex to protect themselves. They can only tell them to say no.

Who can argue against saying no? What parent isn't pro abstinence? But abstinence only? Anyone who thinks a teenager will never do a thing because she has been forbidden has never met a teenager. Common sense – and a 2007 study by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy – tells us abstinence-only does not work. But since when does President Bush let common sense and fact trump ideology?

shorter text

“Who can argue against saying no? What parent isn't pro abstinence? But abstinence only? Anyone who thinks a teenager will never do a thing because she has been forbidden has never met a teenager. Common sense – and a 2007 study by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy – tells us abstinence-only does not work. But since when does President Bush let common sense and fact trump ideology?”