Proponents of abstinence-only programs hope to shelter children
with the mantra that premarital sex is dangerous and harmful. But
two new studies show how disconnected abstinence programs are from
reality ““ and how more enlightened approaches to sex are also
more healthy.
A new study found that 20 percent of teens had participated in
oral sex. Most of them also believed that oral sex was more
acceptable for people their age than vaginal sex and that it was
less likely to spread STDs.
With many ninth graders having oral sex, adults must accept
reality: Teens are sexual creatures, and they need education, not
guilt and silence.
And in fact, there is little evidence that abstinence-only
programs help prevent negative health outcomes. A new study by Yale
and Columbia universities researchers indicates that adolescents
who pledge to remain abstinent are in fact more likely to engage in
other forms of sexual activity.
Out of 12,000 young people studied, the researchers found males
pledged to abstinence were six times more likely to engage in oral
sex. “Abstinent” males were four times more likely to
engage in anal sex.
Teens are apparently turning to oral and anal sex because they
fear the consequences of vaginal sex. The problem is that these
kids are ignorant of the STD and pregnancy risks they still face.
Bill Maher said it best when he wrote that kids who pledge
abstinence just “found loopholes. Two of them, to be
exact.”