Essay On Abstinence In Utah

Even though Amy Schwarz is not an expert in adolescent development or sexual studies, she is an expert in the legislative system. I learned that politics play an important role in sex education programs from her article. A big reason as to why abstinence only programs are still the preferred sex education curriculum among schools is because of Title X, Community-Based Abstinence Education (CBAE), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Security Act (TANF). It all started with Richard Nixon and the ever increasing teen pregnancy rates. The amount of pressure that was placed upon him to control the numbers of teen moms lead to Title X. I had no clue what Title X was before this article and how it was supposed to “reduce unintended pregnancies by providing

Abstinence only sexual education wouldn’t be such an alarming problem if those in charge didn’t insist on falsifying statistics to perpetuate fear. While simply not participating in sexual contact is the only one hundred percent effective way to avoid pregnancy and disease, preventive medical care should no longer be overlooked. The Waxman report reviewed the curriculum and concluded that over eighty percent of schools receiving federal grants contained false and misleading information, generally the exaggeration of contraceptive failure rates (Beh, and Diamond). The Choosing the Best curriculum states that over a four year period condoms have a failure rate of fifty percent (CITE THIS) while the Center of Disease Control states the failure

In 1846 a society of pioneers went West searching for a golden paradise. These people were Mormons or members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints. On the way to their new home, they made people mad. Lots of people didn’t like the Mormons’ ways. Most people resented them for the popularity the religion was getting. People turned to violence and attacked them. As a matter of fact their leader, Joseph Smith, died on his way to their promise land in the West. As a result of the resentment toward them, the Mormons settled in Salt Lake City, Utah. It was a barren place in a valley surrounded by mountains. Nonetheless, no one would come and try to settle or attack them there. The resentment caused Mormons to come up with no ways to live. Controlling their freedom to liberty, the people who did no like their actions were again being hypocritical. Once the colonists fled England to start a new, better life with religions freedom. It was one of the very ideals our country was built on. However the self-righteousness of our country during this was growing, spreading like a

In a country founded for the desire of freedom of religion, it seems a large step back has been taken when the federal government holds the education of America’s youth to a Christian moral viewpoint. Several lawsuits have been successfully brought against abstinence only programs for forcing religious viewpoints. Perhaps not directly religious in nature, abstinence only education muddies the line between separation of church and state. While they are few and far between some religions do not discourage premarital sex, and others encourage polyamorous relationships with multiple women. These may be the minority but to force christian fundamentals on their children is a violation of their rights and breeds discrimination towards them.

In 2005, nearly half of all high school students have had sexual intercourse. Plainly stating that abstinence programs do not work (USA Today). Abstinence programs were beneficial many years ago, but since they are ineffective in delaying teen pregnancy, then teen pregnancy rate has increased. Abstinence programs teach the “no sex until marriage” clause, but they don’t teach teens about birth control and the consequences of having sex at before they’ve matured. Although many studies argue that abstinence programs are educational and beneficial, other studies will show that they don’t delay teen sex, they don’t prevent the spread of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), and are a waste of taxpayers’

Stover (2007) emphasizes on the political view of politics in research. The fact that researchers wants to complete a federally funded study on the effectiveness of abstinence-only education programs is questionable. It is evident in the findings that the abstinence programs mention in this article are a flawed design based on research. Stover (2007) researched the validity of how politics goes hand and hand regarding funding. The purpose of this study has brought awareness to the process of research and how the data can be manipulated.

Other supporters think that sex education should not deviate from other teachings of other health curricula such as drunk driving, tobacco use, drug use, alcohol consumption, gun use, fighting; all things which are taught to just not do (Collins, Alagira, and Summers 12-13). They believe that it is the responsibility of a public institution which serves kids to teach them risk avoidance rather than harm reduction (“WebMD: Better Information. Better Health”).

As of September of 2015, the House of Representatives began discussing a bill that would take North Carolina’s sexual education curriculum back to a similar versions as was prior to the Healthy Youth Act. This proposed bill would advocate going back to teaching almost entirely about abstinence-only as a means of contraception and protection from STDs (Note Card 20-Children’s Health). North Carolina does have a step-up however to many states in the United States because sexual and reproductive health education in North Carolina is required to provide accurate information related to the human reproductive system, and the material must be age appropriate, objective, and backed by scientific evidence (Note Card 29-State Policies). Some form of sex education is provided in all state public schools (Note Card 25-State Policies), but there is no federal policy on what public schools teach in their sexual education curriculum (Note Card 38-Rethinking Schools). In fact, according to a Public Health article about the biased sex education in the United States, this accuracy demanded in North Carolina, is not a requirement in most of the country.

Rather than implementing these standard curriculum checkpoints as a reflection of social and scientific research just like any fundamental education program should be, these eight-points are founded upon a “values” agenda invoked by radically conservative members of Congress with the specific intent of applying these ideals using hetero-normative, homophobic, and appallingly misogynistic teaching methods. A 2004 investigation by the staff of the House Government Reform Committee revealed that many abstinence-based lessons contain “false, misleading, or distorted information”, with instructors teaching things like “pregnancy can result from touching another person's genitals”, “women who have an abortion are 'more prone to suicide'”, and “half of gay males in in the US have tested positive for HIV” (Henry A. Waxman). In addition to these falsifications, the curriculum goals are worded in a way that would explicitly disallow any information of alternative contraception methods—except for the sole purpose of emphasizing their rates of failure—while at the same time labeling sexually active teens as

Those who wish for comprehensive education to be taught often correlate shame and abstinence only education. The argument is if sex is not shamed and instead normalized and properly discussed future adults will practice behavior that is safer. They also argue that because of the higher pregnancy rates among those taught in abstinence only states, abstinence only education is ineffective (Stanger-Hall). Laci Green, a YouTube public speaker and activist, argues that abstinence only education shames women specifically for unplanned pregnancy and not men. She also brings up that shame and sense of failure can create stigmas for young parents. Green also argues that Bristol Palin, abstinence advocate, has had two unplanned pregnancies and thus not only does abstinence education same women but it also is ineffective.

Mormonism was founded in the 1820s’ by Joseph Smith. Smith, wanting to expand his religious following migrated to Illinois where he established a settlement that included a temple of worship and a village (Green 57). In Illinois the Mormon peoples’ were met with threats, violence, and occasionally they were even killed. This was the case for their leader Joseph Smith; Smith was met with disgust from non-mormons when he attempted to run for presidency and his church riddled with scandal when the word of polygamy got out. With his tarnished reputation, Smith was ultimately murdered by an outraged mob, who then threatened other Mormons that if they did not leave they would be met with the same fate (Mormons into the West). With that warning, the Mormons picked a new leader, Brigham Young, who wanted to flee the American Border. Young set for travel with his new followers to the Great Salt Lake, which at the time was located in Mexico.

Federal funding has played a large role in this increase, as monetary incentives have been the driving force behind much of the change. To put it in numbers, the amount of federal dollars going to schools that adopted abstinence only programs almost tripled in the seven years between 1998 and 2005, increasing from 60 to 168 million dollars a year (Santelli, 75). And among United States school districts that changed their policies, twice as many chose to adopt a curriculum that more heavily focused on abstinence only until marriage as moved towards a more comprehensive program (Landry). This disturbing statistic shows how effective the religious right has been in pushing abstinence only programs in face of a dearth of evidence as to their effectiveness. This effectiveness is mainly due to intense lobbying funded by individuals and organizations on the far right. One man, Raymond Ruddy, has personally put 1.5 million dollars towards advocacy and lobbying for abstinence only programs (Eaton). While lobbying like this commonly happens on both sides of the aisle, in this case public opinion goes against what people like Raymond Ruddy say is necessary. According to a recent study, "Ninety-eight percent of parents say they want HIV/AIDS discussed in sex education classes; 85% want 'how to use condoms' discussed; 84% think sex education should cover 'how to use and where to get other birth control,' and 76% want

It has been almost thirty three years since the first federal funding was put to use in “. . . sex education programs that promote abstinence-only-until-marriage to the exclusion of all other approaches . . .” according to the article “Sex education” (2010) published by “Opposing Viewpoints in Context;” a website that specializes in covering social issues. Since then a muddy controversy has arisen over whether that is the best approach. On one hand is the traditional approach of abstinence (not having sex before marriage), and on the other is the idea that what is being done is not enough, and that there needs to be a more comprehensive approach. This entails not only warning against sex, but also teaching teens about how to have

Considering the fact that many students are failing to acquire any factual information on sex takes a toll on the state of Texas costing taxpayers big money. In the state of Texas, abstinence is currently being taught without the emphasis of the greater risk involved. Although, it's great to educate them to

Texas is reputable for implementing abstinence only sex education. About 60% of public schools only teach this curriculum (Howell). This leaves thousands of students of various ages with an altered view of sex and insufficient information on safe sex practice and contraception. This program has also proved itself ineffective because Texas ranks fifth highest nationally in teen birth rates with 41 births per 1,000 women (Howell). 4 out of 5 adolescent pregnancies are unintended” (Gelfond, 597).Abstinence only programs have failed because they do not prevent or even educate students about safe sex practices, contraception, and Texas still remains in the forerunner for highest rates of STDs and teen pregnancy.