For Adolescents, Abstinence Doesn’t Work

Abstinence from sex is the best form of protection from sexually transmitted diseases or unwanted pregnancies.

STDs and unwanted pregnancies are caused be sexually encounters. Naturally, abstinence from any sexual acts will prevent you from contracting or experiencing these conditions.

Abstinence is pushed by various groups especially church related groups. Abstinence is even part of many sex education but they are usually geared towards the dangers of sex.

In some sex education classes, these dangers are highlighted while the religious tone is infused.

It’s a simple form of sex education since it only tells the adolescents to avoid sex in order to avoid any trouble related to sexual activities.

But studies among adolescents have shown that this type of education in the age group do not have any significant effect. In fact, the idea of abstaining from sex only increases the possibility of the adolescents to engage in sex.

The research was conducted by the University of Washington in 365 adolescents coming from various backgrounds, sex and races. These adolescents were asked to undergo a seminar on abstinence where they were given an introduction to the dangers of HIV. Before the orientation, 15% of the group had sexual intercourse (11% male and 4% female).

But instead of preventing the adolescents from engaging in any sexual encounter through abstinence the number adolescents who experienced sex increase after one year by 22% for male and 12% for female.

Simply put, this type of sex education for adolescents does not work and may even place the adolescents in grave danger because they were only taught with the dangers of sexual encounter and never on protection.

But the study doesn’t mean that the education on the dangers of sex is inadequate. Seminars or talks about abstinence usually highlight the negative side of engaging in a sexual encounter. Some adolescents are even interested in the idea in abstaining from any sexual encounters.

The increase in sexual encounter despite the talks about abstinence is based on the fact that adolescents are more interested in knowing more about sex.

They do not exactly see the choice between abstinence and sex but their emotions towards sex are stronger than simply avoiding sexual encounter. The changes in their body and even the popular concept of sex that many see in various places only increase their curiosity.

Abstinence may still be possible for some adolescents but there are those who are more interested in knowing more about sex rather than moving away from the encounter.

Because adolescents will naturally be curious about sex, the message of abstinence should just be a part of sex education. Aside from telling the adolescents the danger of sexual encounters, education on sex should be reinforced with appropriate protection in case they engage in sexual act.

Not everyone will be engaging in sexual activity in their adolescent life but they should be warned on the dangers of sexual encounters and advice on proper protection.

Adolescents will always be curious about sex and telling them to run away from sex only increases their emotions towards the specific activity.

While abstinence is a good idea, studies have shown that it’s not necessarily the best idea to protect the adolescents from the dangers of unprotected sex.