The Birds and the Bees

     I thought that the presentation on sexual education in schools was both informative and entertaining. I learned new information that up until this point I did not know about sex education in high schools. For example, I knew about the dichotomy between comprehensive and abstinence only education but I did not know that some programs combine the two. I am happy that youtube provided a sex ed video from the fifties. It was amazing to see just how many misconceptions that people had about the menstruation cycle. My favorite part was when the mother told her that she could not swim or do rigorous physical exercise during the first few days of her period. It was particularly funny because now we know that physical activity can be very effective in relieving the symptoms of menstruation.
     This may sound harsh but I can't help but laugh at the ignorance of those who feel that abstinence only education is effective. How do I put this, TEENS ARE GOING TO HAVE SEX. It may not be what people want to hear but the fact of the matter is that  it's the truth. Whether parents, teachers, and churches like it or not, it is the reality we face. So why then, do some choose to ignore the reality and truth that faces them? Here is a little example; what will happen to the teenage couple who knows that abstinence is the only 100% effective way to prevent pregnancy but that condoms and birth control are 99% effective? They may or may not choose to have sex but will be safe about it when they do. Now, what will happen to the teenage couple who is "pledging to wait until marriage" but has no idea how to use a condom and thinks that birth control will send them to hell? They also may or may not have sex except they are afraid of or uneducated about the options available to them and therefore have an increased risk of pregnancy and STIs. YAY Abstinence!...(*cough Bristol Palin cough*) Studies have shown that the same percentage of teens who pledge abstinence have sex before marriage as those who do not. WAKE UP PEOPLE!