Study: Many virgins take other risks
From an article at CNN.com:

Teens who pledge to remain virgins until marriage are more likely to take chances with other kinds of sex that increase the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, a study of 12,000 adolescents suggests. The report by Yale and Columbia University researchers could help explain their earlier findings that teens who pledged abstinence are just as likely to have STDs as their peers. [. . .] The pledging group was also less likely to use condoms during their first sexual experience or get tested for STDs, the researchers found.

Which is precisely why sex ed is so important. I don't think teaching abstinence as part of a comprehensive sex ed program is a bad idea at all. My problem is with those who want to push abstinence as the only option and leave our kids dangerously ignorant about the consequences of sex.

Our bodies, on average, become sexually mature around ages 14–16. Yet, many are reluctant to give our adolescents the tools they need to make responsible decisions about their bodies, to understand the changes they're going through and treat themselves with respect. Some want to think that simply saying "don't do that!" is enough, or should be enough. And that frustrates and frightens me. I see how well that works with cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs.
- posted by Lori @ 11:31:00 AM | permanent link | |