abstinence education (birth control, Islam, marriage, Christians)

[weatherologist]

OK, this one came from another thread. It was mentioned in this thread that Christians try to force their ideas/views/ideologies (I don't remember the exact quote) on others. One of these views being abstinence education.

I'm sorry, is the idea that we should teach our children to abstain from sexual intercourse until marriage only a Christian view? I'm at a lose with this one and the problem is that my hubby is yelling at me to go to bed. So if there is any discussion on this subject, I'll have to check back in the morning.

Thanks everyone. Have a great evening.

God bless us all...

Weather...

[stretch00]

I don't think it is only christian.

But in my opinion it is silly. And it appears that abstinence-only education where all other types of sex ed are suppressed does not work very well.

I have no problem with sex before marriage. In fact, I advocate it as a good thing.

[tooshort]

No..I don't think it's just a Christian view. I know that it's true in other cultures, not sure about religions, although it may be in Islam (not sure though). I am not Christian but I was raised, from a cultural standpoint, to abstain until marriage but it didn't have anything to do with my religion.

[gizmo980]

I see nothing wrong with teaching the advantages of abstinence, as long as it's done along with sexual education... and if I remember correctly (from waaaay back when, LOL), that is how most schools do it. They say something like "abstinence/celibacy is the only 100% SAFE sex, but here's how to protect yourself if you do have sex." So no, I don't think the theory in itself is only a Christian belief... what IS the Christian way (for some) is to teach abstinence alone, while pushing out the rest. And in my humble opinion, that's not only naive but also quite dangerous.

[midnightbirdgirl]

I don't think it is a Christian only idea, and it is a good practice. Fact is if more folks waited we would have less unplanned pregnancies, and less STDs. That would be a good thing.
MBG

[tooshort]

Originally Posted by midnightbirdgirl

I don't think it is a Christian only idea, and it is a good practice. Fact is if more folks waited we would have less unplanned pregnancies, and less STDs. That would be a good thing.
MBG

You're right! It would be a good thing. Unfortunately, it's just not realistic in today's world. I think it's better to teach people to be safe rather than tell them not to do something because you knnow that it is just going to make them run out and do it more.

[stretch00]

Originally Posted by midnightbirdgirl

Fact is if more folks waited we would have less unplanned pregnancies, and less STDs. That would be a good thing.
MBG

But it is unrealistic to expect people to wait, and with appropriate education, precautions, and access to birth control, the risk of pregnancy and STDs drop significantly.

I think that the risk of pregnancy/STDs is outweighed by people's interest in having sex.

[midnightbirdgirl]

Originally Posted by tooshort

You're right! It would be a good thing. Unfortunately, it's just not realistic in today's world. I think it's better to teach people to be safe rather than tell them not to do something because you knnow that it is just going to make them run out and do it more.

It is actually better to teach both. And teach it is more than okay not to sleep around and that your body is precious. If kids are taught respect, they will listen to the advice of their elders. Not all children will do something just because they are told not to. Sadly many kids have no respect for their elders, or themselves. I have known plenty of kids who have sex because mom and dad said it was okay, and they really just wanted limits. Kids need boundaries, and need to know why they are there. Most kids want guidance, sadly it is lacking and so many have no self worth.
MBG

[midnightbirdgirl]

Originally Posted by stretch00

But it is unrealistic to expect people to wait, and with appropriate education, precautions, and access to birth control, the risk of pregnancy and STDs drop significantly.

I think that the risk of pregnancy/STDs is outweighed by people's interest in having sex.

It is not unrealistic to expect people to have self control and self respect, to view their bodies as something to value and protect.
Teaching self control key, keeps kids out of all sorts of bad situations.

MBG

[stretch00]

Originally Posted by midnightbirdgirl

It is actually better to teach both.

I agree completely. Children should be given the tools and support to make good decisions. They should wait to have sex until they are ready for it.

I think that most people should wait to have sex until their mid to late teens, but should receive support to wait longer if they so choose.

It is unrealistic to expect most people to wait until marriage. After all, people are getting married later and later into their 20s and beyond. I do think that the link between marriage and sex should be abolished though. Monogamy is fine, but there is no reason to link marriage with some sort of societal permission to be sexually active.