brighid

I agree that abstinence should be taught as one alternative, but it has been proven that abstinence only education is an abysmal failure. All one need do is look to the lower teenage pregnancy, abortion and STD rates in European countries that have comprehensive sexual education programs. I believe Sweden has one of the best records. It also has the best support system for pregnant women with regard to maternity leave, childcare, etc. Something the US utterly lacks!

Check out : http://www.agi-usa.org/ for comprehensive information about sex education, teenage pregnancy, comparison studies � it is an excellent site and does much to dispel the ridiculous myths about condom breakage, pore size, etc.

In my own family I have frankly and with age appropriate terminology discussed sex, abstinence, condom usage, responsibility, etc. with my son. He is only 9. He is taught that men are equally responsible for their own sexual well being and prevention of pregnancy in any partner he might have. I encourage him to wait until he is old enough to handle the emotional responsibility of sex and the consequences it can entail: STD�s and pregnancy. There will be no guilt trips over masturbation in our house. Honestly, as a parent I would much prefer he chose that route then indulging his teenage hormones with generally irresponsible, hormonal teenage girls. I also hope when he does to decide to have sex that he will know enough to protect everyone involved. When the time is right I may take him to Planned Parenthood and have someone other then his mother explain so of the more intimate details of sex, condom use, etc. You really don�t want to hear about all that stuff from your mom you know I will do the same for any daughter we may have. In the case of a girl I would strongly encourage the use of a Deprovera (sp?) shot.

Brighid