Let's talk about sex

Or rather, sex education.

Background: One of the papers I did this year was one on Geographies of Health, and we covered this topic briefly. It got me interested though, so I'm curious as to people's thoughts on the matter.

Right, on with it then.


Teenage pregnancy. Not the best thing, right?

Interesting fact: In 2003 (I think) the US had 53 births per 1000 teenagers. This is worse than those of India, Phillippines and Rwanda (all third world countries). The UK came next with 20.

As comparison: Germany and Norway had 11, Finland 8, Sweden and Denmark 7, and the Netherlands 5.


Why?


As far as policy goes, there are essentially two ideas in response to teenage pregnancy:

-Talk about sex less, encourage abstinence (sound familiar?)

or

- Talk about it more, be open about it and readily supply contraceptives, so when it happens, it happens safely.



Now, in the US and UK, conservative campaigns are the strongest and access to contraception are the weakest.

Sweden radically changed its sex education policies in 1975. "Recommendations of abstinence and sex only within marriage were dropped, contraceptive education was made explicit, and a nationwide network of youth clinics was established specifically to provide confidential contraceptive advice and free contraceptives... Over the next two decades, Sweden saw its teenage birth rate fall by 80 per cent.“ (Unicef)


And in the USA...

Compared with various controls, no abstinence programme affected incidence of unprotected vaginal sex, number of partners, condom use, or sexual initiation. One trial observed adverse effects at short term follow-up (sexually transmitted infections, frequency of sex) and long term follow-up (sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy) compared with usual education.

(As an aside - thirty-three per cent of HIV prevention funds from the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) are used for abstinence only programmes.)




I tend to agree with the two policy options as a point of view. Kids are curious and they're going to have sex whether you talk about it or not, so isn't it better to at least be open with them about it so that when they do do the horizontal monster mash, at least they have contraception and don't have to deal with pregnancy worries/STD issues?


What are everyone's thoughts on the matter?






No apologies for length :P

Horizontal monster mash?

Come on, Dave.

As for my thoughts on the matter, I also think that teenagers are going to have sex when they want to, no matter what. You can preach and preach to them, but we're all going to do it if we want.

I think that while there is no way to prevent teens from having sex if they're determined to, it's a good idea to educate them and provide birth control.

Or, remove all baby-producing organs at birth and let them shag away. When they're ready for children, make them pass a test.

Ha... you said do it... nnehehehehehe *peter griffin laugh*

Be open, and hand out the condoms. Peace out yo!

When they're ready for children, make them pass a test.

Beat me to it!

While there are many problems with this statement (and the line of thought that leads up to it as a conclusion) I agree on many levels.

I'll post more later... but for now it's time to go home from work.


this is funny though: http://www.2xfun.de/view.php?file=5518#item :) enjoy

I am of the opinion that there is no atrocity too great to keep some people from reproducing.

On a more serious note, It is the epitome of foolishness to try and sweep sex under the rug. If it's so bad, let's outlaw sex. All sex. How long will that law last? about 80 years, given the average human life span, then there will be no law and there will be no human race. Problem solved!

Prohibiting people from making informed decisions will not stop them making decisions. I say bring on the sex education!