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 …show more content…
As a ten year old, she took a pledge to remain a virgin until marriage alongside other girls in front of her entire church congregation. She was ten years old and did not yet comprehend what sex even was, yet she made the decision to not “do the deed” until she had a husband. She was taught sex was for married people and that extramarital sex was wrong and sinful, that she would go to Hell if she didn’t keep true to the pledge. It was her responsibility to remain pure for her future husband, even though he wouldn’t, and it was her duty to fulfill his sexual needs. She was praised and applauded by everyone she knew because she remained honest to the pledge and it became a vital part of her identity. Whenever she did get married, losing her virginity to her husband on their wedding night was an emotional roller-coaster for her and it was not the happy, joyous thing she had been told it would be. Coming home from the honeymoon left her disgruntled because “everyone knew my virginity was gone” and “they all knew I was soiled and tarnished”. Eventually, she had to go through therapy in order to deal with the psychological backlash that abstinence teachings had on her. [2]
No one should be made to feel that their worth is only measured in whether they have had sex or not. It is vitally important that we not use shame in an attempt to scare our children into complying with our own sexual ethics. While it is great to explain the benefits of abstinence, people have begun to rely too heavily on a shame-based rhetoric that motivates teens into compliance for fear of being "dirty" or undesirable. It is important that kids are taught, at an acceptable age, that their identity and worth is not tied to their
Sexual education teachers and school administrators are eagle-eyed on what they allow in classes and criticized …show more content…
As a ten year old, she took a pledge to remain a virgin until marriage alongside other girls in front of her entire church congregation. She was ten years old and did not yet comprehend what sex even was, yet she made the decision to not “do the deed” until she had a husband. She was taught sex was for married people and that extramarital sex was wrong and sinful, that she would go to Hell if she didn’t keep true to the pledge. It was her responsibility to remain pure for her future husband, even though he wouldn’t, and it was her duty to fulfill his sexual needs. She was praised and applauded by everyone she knew because she remained honest to the pledge and it became a vital part of her identity. Whenever she did get married, losing her virginity to her husband on their wedding night was an emotional roller-coaster for her and it was not the happy, joyous thing she had been told it would be. Coming home from the honeymoon left her disgruntled because “everyone knew my virginity was gone” and “they all knew I was soiled and tarnished”. Eventually, she had to go through therapy in order to deal with the psychological backlash that abstinence teachings had on her. [2]
No one should be made to feel that their worth is only measured in whether they have had sex or not. It is vitally important that we not use shame in an attempt to scare our children into complying with our own sexual ethics. While it is great to explain the benefits of abstinence, people have begun to rely too heavily on a shame-based rhetoric that motivates teens into compliance for fear of being "dirty" or undesirable. It is important that kids are taught, at an acceptable age, that their identity and worth is not tied to their