Abstinence-Plus

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In the article, “More Schools to Teach Abstinence-Plus,” as seen on page A21A of the September 16, 2011 issue, author Morgan Smith tells her readers about new programs being introduced in West Texas to tech teenagers about not only abstinence, but additional how to practice safe sex. The article explains how teenage pregnancy rates in West Texas continue to spike despite the effort to push abstinence on teens. It explains in detail of a new sexual education program where teens are encouraged to choose abstinence but are educated in effective contraception as well. It covers schools in Midland, Texas and how endeavor to switch policy’s is embraced by the majority of community members as an active approach to decrease teen pregnancy. (Smith 1)

Sociological imagination is an awareness of the relationship between an individual and the wider society, both today and in the past. (Schaefer 5) In other words we must look at social issues both directly and indirectly without bias to fully see and understand every point of view. Macrosociology is a sociological investigation that concentrates on large scale phenomena or entire civilizations. (Schaefer 12) A viewpoint that focuses on broad social structures and looks at society as a whole, it basically focuses on the big picture. Microsociology is a sociological investigation that stresses the study of small groups, often through experimental means. (Schaefer 12) A viewpoint that looks at social interaction in specific situations basically focuses on the center point of the picture.

When examining the article through broader lenses, sociological imagination is used to look at the piece of writing in different ways. Although teaching kids about sex and contraceptives is con...

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...want something that works.” (Smith 1) This program emphasizes abstinence first but gives additional options to teens thinking about having or already having sex. As my high school sex ed teacher said, “nobody wants their kids to drive before they’re ready but when they do we want them to wear their seatbelts!”

Works Cited

Hughes, Michael, Carolyn J. Kroehler, and James W. Vander Zanden. "Sociology | Chapter Summary." McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2002. Web. 25 Oct. 2011. .

Schaefer, Richard T. "Understanding Sociology." Sociology: a Brief Introduction. 9th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2011. Print.

Smith, Morgan. "More Schools Choose to Teach Abstinence-Plus." The New York Times 16 Sept. 2011, National ed.: A21A. The New York Times. 15 Sept. 2011. Web. 10 Oct. 2011.

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