It also shows that comprehensive sex education is more effective in postponing initiation of sexual activity and preventing unwanted pregnancies. These conclusions directly contradict the secular arguments made in support of abstinence-based education. As in Kitzmiller vs. Dover (2005), the scientific research outweighs the arguments and overarching purpose of the law in question. As the scientific literature argues against abstinence-based sex education, the validity of the secular arguments and purpose of abstinence until marriage programs can be questioned and refuted. Because of this lack in validity in the secular purposes, it is appropriate to argue the religious motivation of these sex education laws and regulations, which then violates the first prong of the Lemon…
The programs main focus is to refrain from having sexual intercourse until marriage. This goes against students’ First Amendment Right, which separates church and state. "Abstinence-Only Education Violates Students ' Rights," addressed a valid point as well, it says, “gay and lesbian students, who have no right to future marriage possibilities, are given no options under abstinence-only-until-marriage programs.” It is as if they do not exist. By teaching Comprehensive Sex Education only in public schools, each student is shown the same fairness and all students are not held to such high, rarely obtainable standards; such as not having sex until you are…
Every day people interact within different types of relationships, whether they are with friends, family or significant others. We have a need for these relationships. One of the most important relationships that provide support for an individual is the one we have with our parents. Multiple studies have shown that children rely on their parents for a sense of security in early development because of how the parents respond to their child. This sense of security that is given to the child helps the child develop their sense of emotion.…
Abstinence isn’t appealing to young adults and it gives them the information and contraceptives to prevent teen pregnancies. “Planned Parenthood is the largest provider of comprehensive sex education in our communities. Each year, Planned Parenthood affiliates reach 1.5 million young people and parents with effective sex education and outreach in programs run by professional educators and youth peer educators” (Sanger, 2015). Sex education is important because it teaches young adults about the importance of concetratives and safe…
According to Jane E. Rosenbaum’s article on virginity pledges, Patient Teenagers? A Comparison of the Sexual Behavior of Virginity Pledgers and Matched Non-pledgers, the United States of America government encourages young adults to take pledges to delay sexual activity until marriage. A virginity pledge is defined as, “an oral or written promise to refrain from sexual activity, usually until marriage, administered after a multi- or single session curriculum in religious youth groups, parochial and public schools, or large group events” (Rosenbaum). In current public discussion, policymakers and religious groups have been debating whether or not this is morally and mentally healthy for young women. According to the book, Forbidden Fruit: Sex…
If Christianity is a teenager’s religion it affects the choices they make greatly when it comes to having sex. In Christian beliefs, everyone is supposed to abstain from sexual intercourse until they marry. In some churches, they encourage young women and men to sign a pledge and wear a ring that makes them promise to abstain from any sexual relations. The likelihood of a Christian teenage having sex is slim however, if it happens a contraceptive of any form will or might be taken in case of a pregnancy which they would want to avoid. The disadvantage although of this belief is that teenagers are likely to rebel if the religion is forced onto them.…
However, research shows that abstinence-only programs have been proven to be ineffective at delaying sexual activity and reducing teenage pregnancy rates. A review of ten cities in 2002 of abstinence-only sex education programs revealed that nine cities could not provide credible evidence that the programs reduced the frequency of sex, or delayed the initiation of sex (Hauser, 2004). While this is not representative of all abstinence-only programs, it is enough to realize that abstinence-only programs are not as effective as some would like to think. In 2004, a review of a 11 state-based evaluation showed that not only were there little evidence of long term impacts on the attitudes and intentions of those enrolled in the programs, but it was also shown that when these youths did engage in sexual activity they were unwilling to use contraceptives, or partake in any other activity to prevent negative sexual health outcomes (Advocates for Youth, 2004). If preventing teens from engaging in sex is failing then these programs should at least prevent negative sexual health…
Evangelical and other similar groups have a widening gap that has developed greatly concerning abortions. Religious traditions have placed a significant role in the abortion debate. Christians have often been perceived as maintain a strong pro-life position while Catholics are the only group to find an internal struggle over the abortion policy (Hoffmann & Johnson, 2005). Different religions have different attitudes on abortion. Certain religious groups, especially those that are strict, have a clear view about when life begins and tend to continue on the path of opposing abortion in most forms.…
Eight reasons to practice abstinence There are many great reasons why you should choose to abstain from having sex and choose to practice abstinence. If you practice in abstinence there is a one hundred percent chance that there will be no way of getting pregnant. Abstinence can also prevent you from getting any type of sexually transmitted diseases like HIV, HPV, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia and many more. Having abstinence in a relationship can also have many positive outcomes.…
Abortion is inhumane murder that should be punished by law. Since the Supreme Court case ruling of Roe vs. Wade in 1973, millions of babies nation wide have been unjustly killed. " Over 40 years later, Americans are still standing by this decision - with 7 in 10 Americans believing Roe v. Wade should remain the law of the land. "(planned parenthood action) Taking any life because of a mistake is not morally sound.…
Abstinence-only sexual education has been around for a while now and is focused, generally, on one of two types of messages regarding sexual activity: abstinence only or comprehensive sex education. Abstinence-only messages relay that sex should be delayed until marriage for a multitude of reasons including religion, teen pregnancy, and the spreading of sexually transmitted infections. However, there are many false claims in these programs in order to further push teenagers into accepting abstinence as a life choice. The effects of not only the programs but societies opinions on this personal choice range in various negative ways. Sexual education teachers and school administrators are eagle-eyed on what they allow in classes and criticized…
Reading Maltz Hierarchy website and also the text material I realized I have had level 1-impersonal interaction, level +2 making love and level +3 authentic sexual intimacies. I experienced level 1 when I was younger and had no responsibilities. My mindset was childish, but thankfully nothing bad ever happened to me. I did things I am not proud of such as having unprotected sex, and sex under the influence. Now as I am older I think back and realize all the different times I put myself in situations where there were drive by shootings and environments where cops were constantly looking for drugs and alcohol.…
On the issue of contraception, the three major branches of Christianity hold varying opinions rooted within their respective interpretations of sexual expression, marriage, and the commandment, “Thou Shalt Not Murder”. In order to understand each branch’s stance on the utilization of contraceptives as a moral issue, I will explore all three branch’s stance on the purpose of sex. The nuanced differences within their interpretations will reveal unique implications within each branch’s position on the morality of contraceptive use. The Protestant Baptist position on contraception ranges from outright condemnation to casual acceptance.…
Some statistics say a couple who does not live together before getting married has a 20 percent chance of being divorced within five years. Couples living together prior to marriage increase to 49 percent. Realistically though, more people practice cohabitation, the percentage may be higher for the people who separate instead of getting a divorce, and may skew the statistics. If the couple chooses to live together as an alternative to being married like the statistics show that the relationship will break up within five years is 49 percent (Redmond, “Divorce Statistics…”). In 1995 premarital cohabitation became the normal thing to do.…
Yes, abstinence would be the safest, but through the years this method of teaching has been proven false. For decades, the government has been spending taxpayers money for “Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage” programs. “Congress funneled a total of over one-and-a-half billion taxpayer dollars into abstinence- only-until-marriage programs and the funding continues today” (A History of Federal…). They continue to do this even though there is overwhelming evidence that it is highly ineffective, in many cases doing more harm than good.…