Abstract
This paper looks at abstinence programs and the distribution of condoms in schools as ways to prevent teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS. It looks at various opinions on both sides of the argument and comes out in favor of condom distribution because abstinence-only programs do not work.

From the Paper
"There is an ongoing debate about what to teach in sex education in schools and whether to promote abstinence or to distribute condoms. Part of the debate centers around who should be responsible for such decisions, the parents or the teachers. Opinions vary greatly from state to state and from school to school within states. This lack of consensus of opinion makes it harder on students because they do not know whose advice to follow when they hear conflicting sides of the story. The one thing both ... "

Tags:abstinence, condoms, sexually transmitted diseases

Abstract
This paper discusses the topic of abstinence-only sex education and presents arguments against this approach to sex education. The paper points out that one argument in favor of abstinence-only sex education is that the most reliable and effective means of preventing teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease is by postponing sexual activity until marriage. The paper then discusses the underlying premise of this approach and points out its fundamental problems and flaws. The paper concludes that, in comparison to traditional sexual education programs, abstinence-only sex education provides absolutely no benefit, and conceivably causes additional harm attributable to the deliberate withholding of invaluable information about STD transmission and unwanted pregnancy.

Outline:
Introduction
Evaluating the Comparative Effectiveness of Abstinence-Only Sexual Education
Analysis of a Flawed Concept
Comprehensive Sexual Education - A Preferable Approach
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Abstinence-only sexual education is based on the belief that the most reliable and effective means of preventing teenage pregnancy and incidence of sexually transmitted disease (STD) is the promotion of the concept of postponing sexual activity until marriage. Unlike traditional approaches to sexual education that incorporate information about safer sex such as responsible choices, monogamous sexual relationships, and strict condom use, abstinence-only education programs provide absolutely no such information at all.
"The underlying philosophy of abstinence-only programs is that the only truly safe sex is no sex at all. Specifically, according to its proponents, relationships that are supposed to be sexually monogamous are susceptible to infidelity and condoms are too unreliable to prevent teenage pregnancy and STD transmission because they may be used
improperly or break during intercourse."

Tags:effective, choices, monogamous, relationships

Abstract
This paper explains that sex education became a popular mode of addressing the problem of teenage pregnancy when the issue turned into a pressing and alarming concern. The writer argues that abstinence is found to be the only real and substantial approach to handling the problem, as it is clear that other approaches have failed to produce the desired result. The writer maintains that that abstinence-based programs have been far more effective and successful in bringing down the rate of teenage pregnancies than sex education programs. The writer concludes that abstinence is rightly considered the more effective approach and is thus being implemented in a large number of schools across the country.

From the Paper
"The reason traditional sex education is criticized is because teaching students about safe sex makes them believe that as long as they are using contraceptive, engaging in sexual activity is acceptable and safe. But that sadly is not the truth. There is medical evidence indicating that abstinence and not safe sex is the only reliable method of avoiding pregnancies. One article compared the effectiveness of sex-education programs in schools and found that schools with abstinence-based program had better results. These programs were more effective in preventing teenage sexual activity and pregnancies. Khouzem The Teen-Aid abstinence education curriculum has been widely used in Washington's city of Edinburgh for 5 years."

Tags:sex, education, contraceptives, sexual, activity

Abstract
This paper takes a look at sex education programs, in particularly to the abstinence-only program. The author argues that although the Welfare Reform Act which allocated millions of federal funds towards abstinence-only sex education programs had benevolent intentions, the country has not seen a dip in teenage pregnancy and STD contraction rates. This, the author explains, shows the inefficacy of such programs. The paper criticizes abstinence-only programs as flawed and notes that they teach behavior that is in consistent with the highly sexualized American culture. The author advocates that knowledge is power and that smarter sex education programs should be based solely on what is best for our youth and what is most likely to stymie risky behavior instead of being influenced by political pressuring from lobbyist organizations, funding and religious beliefs.

From the Paper
"Accordingly, in 1996, legislators in conjunction with then-President Bill Clinton penned the Welfare Reform Act, a bipartisan bill altering the welfare system and deeming that millions of federal funds be allocated annually towards abstinence-only sex education programs. Although the Welfare Reform Act had benevolent intentions, since that period, our country has seen minimal improvement in the teenage pregnancy and STD contraction rates, which illustrates the inefficacy of such programs. This is not surprising since knowledge is one of the most effective weapons in fighting any problem, and because abstinence-only programs deny teenagers of vital information needed to protect themselves, our government should abandon or at least reform such programs immediately."

Tags:teenage pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases

Abstract
This paper explains that 81 percent of parents and guardians polled favor sex education programs that teach all aspects of sex and sexuality, which include how to use birth control and how to protect against STDs, instead of the widespread abstinence-only and dangers of sex program. The author stresses that, even with most schools teaching abstinence-only programs, the approach isn't working very well; teenagers are not abstaining from sex. The paper concludes that teaching teens about the dangers of STDs and the consequences and responsibility that surrounds sexual relationships may actually be reinforcing abstinence as the safest way.

From the Paper
"In 1996, a companion bill was put onto the Welfare Reform Act. This bill budgeted $440 million over the span of five years to support abstinence-only sex education. In order for school districts to receive funding, they are required to tell the kids that "sexual activity outside the context of marriage is likely to have harmful psychological and physical effects" and that "a mutually faithful monogamous relationship in the context of marriage is the expected standard of human sexual activity." The kids are not to be told about condoms, birth control, or any other protection methods except to highlight their failure rates. Right now, every state except California accepts this funding. In recent news, the Bush administration is attempting to put forth an initiative to increase the funding for this abstinence-only policy."

Tags:control, hiv, pregnancy, safe, disease

Abstract
This paper discusses the controversy surrounding sex education programs in public schools in the United States. It specifically focuses on the promotion of sexual abstinence. The paper also looks at the need for a shift from focus on abstinence-only sex education to a comprehensive approach to provide adequate education and knowledge in order for recipients to make informed decisions regarding individual sexual activity and health. The paper examines both approaches.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Issue
Policy
Supporters/Opponents
Conclusion

From the Paper
"According to the Guttmacher Institute (2006), evidence supports that comprehensive sex education programs can result in the delay of the initiation of teen sexual activity, decrease the number of partners and increase the use of contraceptives for those sexually active. The United States government needs to implement policy that supports the wishes of the majority of its population and has empirical results to indicate success. Teaching comprehensive sex education provides knowledge that may result in positive outcomes for individuals, families and society."

Tags:safe sex, STD marriage pregnancy

Abstract
This research paper discusses the failure of abstinence-only sex education to lower the rate of adolescent sexual activity, teen pregnancy, and the transmission of STDs. The author provides findings that demonstrate that teen pregnancy rates and transmission of STDs are undermined by abstinence only programs that actually place teens at greater risk for STDs and pregnancy, and that more comprehensive sex education is needed.

From the Paper
"The Bush Administration's advocacy of abstinence-only sex education programs is a failure when it comes to preventing teen pregnancy and the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases..."

Tags:sexuality, HIV, AIDS, public education, youth, condoms, adolescents, health, President Bush

Abstract
This paper looks at two perspectives or programs that are often used to teach adolescents about the risks of sexual activity and how to decrease these risks. These two perspectives are abstinence and making safer choices about sexual behavior, such as wearing condoms or using contraception. It looks at abstinence as well as birth control in a comparison of these solutions to see which one is more effective with adolescents. It concludes that safe sex behaviors prove to be a more effective and popular solution among teens.

Outline
Introduction
Literature Review

From the Paper
"As the years have progressed, especially in terms of scientific and technological sophistication in the health field in the last century, new methods of contraception have been increasingly effective and successful. But a large part of effective contraception remains awareness and education regarding how to safely and successfully apply these methods. Effectiveness is an important factor to consider when choosing a method of contraception, but this effectiveness only goes as far as the individual making the choice is educated in terms of the successful and correct application of the method of contraception. With new contraceptive methods becoming available all the time, it is
important to keep up with new advances and learn as much as possible about the most effective and efficient means of contraception."

Tags:contraception, condoms, birth, control

Abstract
This paper demonstrates the fallacies of abstinence-only education. It cites research that shows graduates of these programs are less likely to use proper protection when they do engage in sexual activity, making them more susceptible to pregnancy and STDs. It also compares the U.S. to other countries that use comprehensive sex education programs, showing that their pregnancy/STD rates among teens are a fraction of those in the U.S.

From the Paper
"A sexually active teenage girl who has sex without contraception has a 90% chance of becoming pregnant within a year, according to the Kaiser Institute. An equally jarring fact is that during a single act of intercourse with an infected male partner, a female teen has a 3 out of 10 chance of becoming infected with genital herpes, a 1 out of 2 chance of becoming infected with gonorrhea, and a 1 out of 100 chance of becoming infected with the HIV virus (Michael). Nearly half of sexually active women reported having sex with two or more partners in the past year, while an additional twenty percent admitted to having unprotected sex with more than one partner. While rates of sexual activity do not differ between most countries, the rate of unprotected sexual intercourse in the U.S. is more than twice that of any other industrialized nation."

Tags:AIDS, herpes

Abstract
Should schools include comprehensive birth control education within the sexuality education curriculum? This paper argues this serious question that needs attention as every year millions of teenagers are making decisions that affect them the rest of their lives. The author feels that a clear effective program should be a major priority for educators and politicians. This paper analyzes articles that were published within the past few years written by those who did research in the field and had their results to prove their point. It argues strongly on behalf of the comprehensive sexuality education. If information is left out, students are left out.

From the Paper
""I lost my virginity at age 16 to my high school sweetheart and he dumped me two months later. Sex was never a big issue in my junior high or high school; I never fully learned everything until I got to college when they gave incoming freshman a test and a presentation. You mostly learn things about sex from friends and sometimes parents." --JM, (avert.org) This is a submission of a young lady to a website dedicated to educating young adults about what they deserve to know about sexuality. Are websites such as this one necessary? According to young people like JM, they are. Parents would be alarmed to find out that most adolescents learn more about sex from their peers than from parents or school. The same adolescents who cited peers as their principal source of information on sex also had more permissive standards about sexuality than those whose sources were more reliable (Fromme & Emihovich, 1998)."

Tags:abstinence, comprehensive, education, only, sex, birth, control, teenagers, schools