Teens Sexing It Up More Than Ever Despite Federally Funded Abstinence Programs

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The fight about whether sex education has a place in public schools or not is an ongoing struggle, with varying opinions taking their place in the ring every day. However, study after study seems to show that teens are choosing sex, with the national average at just under half of all teens having sex.

So the problem itself isn't whether teens are or not engaging in extra curricular activities involving the "student body". The problem is whether those who choose sex are educated in disease prevention, risk and pregnancy.

According to the Austin Statesman, there is an ongoing debate across Texas, the largest spender on abstinence programs, as to whether these programs are actually effective.

Earlier this year, the CDC released a heart stopping report that one in four teens across America had a Sexually Transmitted Disease. The CDC also shows that teen birth rates are up as well. Although a certain amount of research may be required to find the exact report associated with the data, rest assured that very little research or brain power is required to link an STD or teen pregnancy with sexual activity.

This means what? That despite the $1.1 Billion US dollars the government has put forth towards these choosing virginity until marriage programs, American teens are indeed still having sex. In turn, this costs the states additional funds on pregnancy clinics, healthcare and problems associated with children raising children, not to mention those who never seek healthcare for their STD, only to exacerbate the problems associated like passing it onto an unborn child.

Last year, Texas spent $32 Million US dollars on abstinence programs for its schools. In Title V funds alone, one government fund designated for abstinence programs, Texas spent $17 Million US dollars compared to the next biggest spender, New York, who forked out just over $13 Million US dollars.

Texas is above the national average in the number of teens admittedly having sex according to an additional CDC survey, although not by much, and they are less likely to cover their weapons of mass destruction. This does not bode well for the state but is not surprising as abstinence programs tend to bad mouth or degrade protection and birth control.

Across the country, 22 states, including Iowa, have flat out rejected the government funds geared towards supposedly helping kids abstain from sexual activity as a means of reducing the rate of STDs and teen pregnancy. Those states have opted for a more user friendly and educated format that teaches the risks and consequences of sexual activity, as well as prevention and protection.

Whats the basis for their choice? Proven results. While abstinence programs can find supporters across the board, their research and studies are, according to the article, not typically peer-reviewed. This lack of professional publication of studies may lend to a weighted bias instead of a true results oriented outcome. Still, supporters believe in abstinence, relying on the "notes" of those who it has helped.

One girl who signed a contract of abstinence made it her duty to try and change the abstinence programs in schools after a pregnant teen was rejected by her peers due to the abstinence program in her school. It helped foster a negative mindset towards those who make a mistake. Aside from the negativity for those of unlike minds, there was also a very high rate of STDs in that same area among teens, prompting the once abstinence-only teen to attempt to alter the school's policy. Unfortunately, the young girl's efforts were futile on a small scale but her story was picked up by PBS and she now travels around the country and talks to students about education programs.

Studies show that education programs do not encourage sex and even provide teens with more confidence to say "no" to unwanted sex. Why? Well, the true reason is unknown but it is easy to link it to the knowledge aspect of the program versus the chaste belief of the abstinence programs.

Experts like Douglas Kirby agree. Kirby, a board member of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, released a study in November 2007 which found that programs teaching about condoms and birth control did not result in teens having sex sooner but did give young people more knowledge about the risks and consequences of sex and more confidence to say no to unwanted sex.

Even the benchmarking Mathmatica study that showed how older teens' support for abstinence falters provided excellent results as far as the effectiveness of abstinence programs.

The bottom line is highschool aged kids are having sex and contracting STDs at an alarming rate, with the state spending the most money on these programs seeing a higher rate of teen sex and lack of unprotected sex than the national average.

States like California and Iowa are opting for educating their children in areas of risk and condom use because, maybe, they actually care for the children and want to provide some basic knowledge as far as risks and consequences associated with sexual activity. Even still, the controversy surrounding the "sex education in school" issue continues as both sides fluff their support with data, studies and input.

Some believe in completely keeping any talk of sex out of the education system, while others believe it is the best place to provide an education. Even still, some want to use it as an impetus for a hidden agenda.

No matter what the reason or what side of the fence one is on, if the message isn't getting through to the intended audience, then it isn't effective.