Abstinence shouldn’t be a dirty word in public health effort
Published by anonymous August 18th, 2009 in AbstinenceI recently read this blog and thought I would pass it on. I found it very interesting–
IN THE Aug. 4 front-page article “Cautions for and from teens,’’ I was happy to read about a new safe-sex campaign that talks to adolescents through their preferred modes of communication, such as Facebook, YouTube, and cable channels. In the campaign teens discuss the importance of condoms and being screened for sexually transmitted diseases. The tragic thing is that the campaign does not discuss abstaining from sex.
Now, I am wise enough to know that there are many who are against abstinence-only campaigns, but intelligent health officials should be wise enough to know that the message of healthy choices should not be left out of a comprehensive safe-sex campaign.
Teens need to know that there is nothing wrong with them if they choose to wait to have sex until older and wiser. Teens who choose to wait deserve just as much support as those who choose to practice risky behavior.
I suggest that the teens and health officials add to this campaign components of good decision-making: ways to say no to sex when being pressured, and the importance of self respect.
Joan Politi
Tyngsboro
Source: Boston Globe.com