Abstinence Only Sex Education Essay

Do current methods of abstinence only sexual education actually work? Nevertheless if you were to ask the majority of Americans, they prefer for their children to be taught to wait for marriage before engaging in sexual activity. Also looking at the numbers, though this is may be contrary to what is good for children. Studies show that children who are taught abstinence only have higher rates of pregnancy, S.T.D/S.T.Is, and more trouble coping with the emotional aspects related to sexual intercourse. Abstinence only sex education may actually have a negative effect on the sexual health of youth especially LGBT youth. Abstinence only sex education is not as effective as its supporters would have you believe. First, states that teach abstinence only sex education across the board have higher rates of teen pregnancy. According to Matt Essert’s article on news.mic, “There's almost no getting around it. States with abstinence-only education have the highest rates of teen pregnancies.” Teens in these states are less likely to use condoms.

This leads to teens feeling guilty after sexual intercourse because they feel like they are unclean and soiled. It often leads to very negative views on sex when sex should be a happy positive thing as it is a normal part of life. Also quoted from advocatesforyouth.org, “For gay, lesbian and bisexual teens and for those struggling with their sexual orientation or sexual identity, the abstinence-only-until-marriage approach is even more harmful.” Abstinence only sex education ignore LGBT issues leading to those teens feeling alienated and like there is something wrong with them. Additionally, these education programs do not prepare straight teens for the realities of sexual intercourse leaving them vulnerable when and if they do have sex. Abstinence only sex education can be bad for teens mental health especially if they are a member of the LGBT