Darn double post. Read the second one

Teach kids that they should abstain unless they are prepared to deal with ALL the potential consequences RIGHT NOW.

Well said. Libidos are a powerful force, so it seems totally unfair to tell people to deny themselves that human experience until society deems them ready. But OH, if teens only knew how important this advice is!!!

In the past, kids would be depended on for income by 16. They might be supporting family members or yes, even married.

Yeah, so here's another spin on the issue: why are we keeping kids KIDS so long these days anyway? Isn't it unfair to demand they stay minors so long and expect them not to start families until they're in their 20's? Think about it, it's not natural. Heck, so many kids would LOVE to break away from Mom & Dad in the early-mid teens anyway.

One part of me thinks that once a kid is interested in sex, that's a good time to get a job and become an adult. It's only natural.

But back to reality. I'm going to teach my kids to hold out til marriage and love them whatever the outcome. I'm not teaching them abstinence to torment them and deny them the experience, but for the sake of the children they'll be bringing into the world. Children are most likely to feel secure & loved when born into a stable home with two loving parents. That leads to secure human beings who contribute positively to society. That leads to a better world

wow. I didnt' realize this was featured....I feel so cool.

anyway, back on topic,

Will 100% of teens follow that advice? No, but then they never have. But unless they are taught it as a part of an acceptable values system very few of them will even consider it. Today they are being taught that they are expected to be having sex and that's the wrong message to be sending

Kids (and parents) quote that condoms are 99% effective. That means if used perfectly every time there is still a 1% chance of failure. We need to focus on the FAILURE of "protection". 1% is a big number.
Nobody is perfect and the actual stats are less reasuring...The typical use pregnancy rate among condom users varies depending on the population being studied, ranging from 10–18% per year. According to a 2000 report by the NIH, correct and consistent (ahem, perfect case only) use of latex condoms reduces the risk of HIV/AIDS transmission by ONLY 85%. Let me say this again, that means 15% will get it EVEN IF USED CORRECTLY. HPV results are even worse... 70%. YIKES!!!

Kids need to think about 100 people they know. 1% means 1 out of a hundred. Those odds are only in the best of situations.....factor in reality and life and the number starts to climb. Add in chances of STDs and the number isn't just 1% anymore. Even if everyone of their friends is being "protected" 18 might get pregnant, 15 more might get HIV and 30 might get HPV. So it's not 1 out of a 100 that might have a life changing event.....it's 63 kids. That isn't factoring in other STDs or other situations either. Obviously this is a 'worst" case kind of thing, but if I am going to risk my LIFE, then I do think saying 1% is a lot more deceptive than 63%......

Somehow abstinence has become mixed up with religion in the minds of many people instead of the obvious common sense that it is. It is the only 100% means of avoiding pregnancy and STDs

If only more people would see that.

I'm going to teach my kids to hold out til marriage and love them whatever the outcome. I'm not teaching them abstinence to torment them and deny them the experience, but for the sake of the children they'll be bringing into the world. Children are most likely to feel secure & loved when born into a stable home with two loving parents. That leads to secure human beings who contribute positively to society. That leads to a better world

Kudos to you. I'm glad you uderstand and see the bigger picture. I know there is more there for you, but this much is applicible to everyone.

Kids (and parents) quote that condoms are 99% effective. That means if used perfectly every time there is still a 1% chance of failure. We need to focus on the FAILURE of "protection". 1% is a big number.

Look at it (or explain it to them) this way.  Once (and you dont know which time) out of every 100 times you have sex, it WILL fail.  And 100 is not that big of a number.

So what you are telling me is stop at 99 Doc?

No, switch to a different method.

Someone needs to teach them the accountability. When I went through Sex Ed. it was geared to say. DON'T do this or this will happen to you. My beef with that attitude is, you've told me what NOT to do but not how to keep from doing it. You are right Libidos are a powerful force. If you don't put in some restraining factors (especially in thoughts) the recipe is for disaster. My grade was the first year (in 6th grade) that they used the above tact. In high school we had the highest teen pregnancy %of students in Colorado.