What is Abstinence Only Sex Education?
The United States ranks first in teen pregnancies and STD spread among developed nations. In an attempt to lower this number, the government started funding Abstinence Only Until Marriage (AOUM) programs. These programs teach that sexual activity outside of marriage can have social, physical, and psychological repercussions, and people should thus abstain from sex until after marriage.
Why is Abstinence Only Sex Education ineffective?
While sexual abstinence is a good option for many people, it is not the option many people choose to take. In fact, 55% of teens are sexually active before the age of 18. By teaching AOUM programs exclusively, those who do decide to become sexually active are uneducated on the proper precautions to take when it comes to having sex. As AOUM programs increase in the US, we see a positive correlation between an increase in those programs and teen pregnancies and STD’s.
Not only are AOUM programs ineffective in causing a decline in pregnancy and STD rates in teens, but they are also potentially harmful for teenagers. These types of programs promote negative gender stereotypes, and promote the idea that those who do decide to be sexually active are less worthy than their abstinent peers. So while it is okay to abstinent, it is also okay to be sexually active or have the desire to be sexually active! What’s important is that you do what you are comfortable with and do it safely.
Many people worry that by eliminating AOUM programs in schools, it will promote sex and sexual activity. This is not the case. Providing proper education on sexual protections and percautions does not promote sex to teenagers just like how telling people about lifejackets doesn’t encourage drowning. Comprehensive sex education does, however, promote the idea of being safe if you do decide to be sexually active. Theoretically, this will lead to a decrease in pregnancy and STD rates in teens, which is the ultimate goal of everyone.
Not only are AOUM programs ineffective in causing a decline in pregnancy and STD rates in teens, but they are also potentially harmful for teenagers. These types of programs promote negative gender stereotypes, and promote the idea that those who do decide to be sexually active are less worthy than their abstinent peers. So while it is okay to abstinent, it is also okay to be sexually active or have the desire to be sexually active! What’s important is that you do what you are comfortable with and do it safely.
Many people worry that by eliminating AOUM programs in schools, it will promote sex and sexual activity. This is not the case. Providing proper education on sexual protections and percautions does not promote sex to teenagers just like how telling people about lifejackets doesn’t encourage drowning. Comprehensive sex education does, however, promote the idea of being safe if you do decide to be sexually active. Theoretically, this will lead to a decrease in pregnancy and STD rates in teens, which is the ultimate goal of everyone.
Safe Sex
There are many options when it comes to having safe sex! Let’s talk about some of them. There are numerous types of birth control/STD prevention contraceptives, but they fall into three groups: Barrier, hormonal, and permanent.
Barrier: Barrier contraceptives are often fairly effective (when used correctly!). Some barrier contraceptives and their effectiveness include:
Hormonal: Hormonal birth control is often more effective than barrier birth control, but does not provide protection against STD’s. Some types of hormonal birth control includes:
Permanent: These methods often require a procedure and are most effective. They are also the hardest to undo. Permanent birth control methods include:
Overall, there are many cheap and affordable contraceptives out there! If you do decide one of these options are for you, whether it be the pill, the patch, or a condom, make sure you use it correctly. That is the best way to ensure safe, protected, sex!
Barrier: Barrier contraceptives are often fairly effective (when used correctly!). Some barrier contraceptives and their effectiveness include:
- Cervical Cap - 86%
- Diaphragm - 84%
- Male Condom - 85-98% depending on usage (helps prevent STD’s)
- Female Condom - 95% (helps prevent STD’s)
- The Withdrawal Method - 73%
Hormonal: Hormonal birth control is often more effective than barrier birth control, but does not provide protection against STD’s. Some types of hormonal birth control includes:
- Birth Control Pill - 99%
- Contraceptive Patch - 99%
- IUD - 99%
- Nuva Ring - 92%
Permanent: These methods often require a procedure and are most effective. They are also the hardest to undo. Permanent birth control methods include:
- Tubal Ligation - 98%
- Vasectomy - 99%
Overall, there are many cheap and affordable contraceptives out there! If you do decide one of these options are for you, whether it be the pill, the patch, or a condom, make sure you use it correctly. That is the best way to ensure safe, protected, sex!
Common Questions
Q: What if my partner does not wanna wear a condom, but I want to use protection?
A: Then don’t have sex with them unless you have another reliable form of contraceptive. If possible, it is always better to use more than one contraceptive (example: birth control and condom).
Q: Where can I buy contraceptives?
A: Most barrier contraceptives are available at grocery stores, gas stations, drug stores, etc. However, hormonal and permanent birth control methods often require a doctor's appointment and/or procedure.
Q: Is the Plan B pill a reliable form of birth control?
A: It depends. While it can lower your chance of getting pregnant by 89%, it should not be used as a constant form of birth control because of the effects it has on hormone levels. It is also expensive, and you have to be 17 to buy it. However, it is good to use in emergency situations!
Q: Can I use Plan B if I’m on a birth control pill?
A: Often you can take Plan B while on the pill with no complications.
Q: Is the pullout (or withdrawal) method reliable?
A: This is a method that only has a 70% prevention rate, so while many people use it as their only form of contraceptive, it is not the safest. You should still be using two forms of birth control if possible (example: pullout and condom).
A: Then don’t have sex with them unless you have another reliable form of contraceptive. If possible, it is always better to use more than one contraceptive (example: birth control and condom).
Q: Where can I buy contraceptives?
A: Most barrier contraceptives are available at grocery stores, gas stations, drug stores, etc. However, hormonal and permanent birth control methods often require a doctor's appointment and/or procedure.
Q: Is the Plan B pill a reliable form of birth control?
A: It depends. While it can lower your chance of getting pregnant by 89%, it should not be used as a constant form of birth control because of the effects it has on hormone levels. It is also expensive, and you have to be 17 to buy it. However, it is good to use in emergency situations!
Q: Can I use Plan B if I’m on a birth control pill?
A: Often you can take Plan B while on the pill with no complications.
Q: Is the pullout (or withdrawal) method reliable?
A: This is a method that only has a 70% prevention rate, so while many people use it as their only form of contraceptive, it is not the safest. You should still be using two forms of birth control if possible (example: pullout and condom).
While we're here...
Remember, no means no. Even if they said yes before, even if you want it, even if it’s your significant other, no still means no. If you have to coerce or guilt them, it is not consent. If they would not have consented sober, they cannot consent intoxicated. Not feeling safe saying no or not being able to say no does not mean yes. Likewise, you should never feel pressured into sex or any sexual activity. You never owe anyone anything, and your safety and health should always be your first priority.
Resources
- Planned Parenthood
- Website: Plannedparenthood.org
- Nearest Location: 803 Belsly Blvd, Moorhead, MN 56560
- Phone Number: (218) 236-7145
- Learn more:
- https://www.guttmacher.org/news-release/2017/abstinence-only-until-marriage-programs-are-ineffective-and-harmful-young-people#:~:text=A%20new%20review%20of%20U.S.,investing%20in%20comprehensive%20sexuality%20education.&text=In%20theory%2C%20abstinence%20is%20100,at%20preventing%20pregnancy%20and%20STIs.
- https://www.cdc.gov/sexualhealth/Default.html
- https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/issues/sex-education/abstinence-only-programs