Abstinence Offers New Hope for Teenage Sexual Epidemic - Essay Example

Thesis ment: By creating well-rounded, highly effective abstinence programs, educators have succeeded in reducing teen pregnancy rates and lowering the incidence of STDs. Working Outline: "Argument for Abstinence" I. Introduction A. The story of Jennifer B. Thesis statement; abstinence is becoming more popular due to its effectiveness II. The lessons for Jennifer A. Birth control is not always effective B. Sex education often omits abstinence as an alternative C. Abstinence can be a difficult challenge III. Critics of abstinence question whether teenagers are capable of making the commitment required to make the program a success. A. Quote the study from Columbia and Yale "teenagers who took a pledge to abstain from intercourse until marriage "are much less likely" to have intercourse than adolescents who did not pledge" (Roleff, 2002). 1. Reinforce the power of commitment and the effect of the pledge. IV. Abstinence is reinforced when other people get involved A. The group "Best Friends" works with adult role models and their peers meet regularly to act as a support group. 1. A 1995 study showed that girls enrolled in "Best Friends" had a much lower pregnancy rate than a signaler group who did not belong V. Abstinence focuses on the male's responsibility and obligations A. Men are taught to "affect motivation, change attitudes, and develop the skills needed for boys and young men to act responsibly in their relations with teen girls" 1. This reduces the rate of sexual initiation significantly; quote statistics from Rector, 2004 a. Fewer unwanted advances will result in fewer unplanned pregnancies VI. Even teens that had formerly been sexually active have realized the health benefits of changing their sexual habits. A. Bussey quote about the health benefits, "Secondary virginity decreases the risk and is a very healthy goal for teens that have been active in the past". 1. It's never too late to practice abstinence . VII. Conclusion A. Restate supporting evidence B. Restate and validate thesis Abstinence Offers New 1 Running Head: ABSTINENCE OFFERS NEW Abstinence Offers New Hope for Teenage Sexual Epidemic (Argument Rhetorical Mode, Draft Research Essay) Shawanna Moore American Intercontinental University Professor Judi Mobley ENG 105 Abstinence Offers New 2 Abstinence Offers New Hope for Teenage Sexual Epidemic Jennifer Davis's mother picked her up early from school, and they rush to make it to Jennifer's gynecology appointment on time. In the examination room, as the doctor approaches them, her mother's fears are confirmed. Jennifer has a STD. Jennifer thinks out loud, "How could this ever be any worse" The Doctor looks at Jennifer and solemnly announces that she is also six weeks pregnant. Jennifer stares at the floor as her mother wrings her hands, sore from arthritis and tired from the work it takes to be a single mom. These types of situations can happen at anytime. By creating well-rounded, highly effective abstinence programs, educators have succeeded in reducing teen pregnancy rates and lowering the incidence of STDs. This scene is tragically played out countless times daily in every corner of the country. Jennifer did not mean to get pregnant, and she tried to avoid it. It was "just an accident". She practiced the "safe" methods that she was taught in her sex education class. Unfortunately for Jennifer, there was one method that was not covered in her class, which was the method of abstinence. Though sex education classes often fail to adequately cover it, abstinence has experienced an upsurge in popularity with students, educators, and schools. By itself, abstinence is a difficult challenge to any teenager's raging hormones, but when used as part of a larger program package it has been met with considerable success. Everyone should agree that we need to reduce the epidemic levels of STDs and unwanted pregnancies among our teenagers. Likewise, no one can make the argument that abstinence is not the world's most effective method of birth control. However, critics of abstinence question whether teenagers are capable of making the commitment required to make the program a success. The answer is found in the "Virginity Pledge", a novel idea that forms the underlying basis for many abstinence programs. It is a basic promise, a contract between the individual and Abstinence Offers New 3 society, that they will remain a virgin until married. Birth-control advocates question the value of this simple approach, but a joint study conducted by Columbia and Yale Universities concluded that, "[...] [T]eenagers who took a pledge to abstain from intercourse until marriage "are much less likely" to have intercourse than adolescents who did not pledge"(Roleff, 2002). Keeping commitments are an important part of a teenager's life and should not be underestimated. The "Virginity Pledge" has even greater significance when the pledge involves others, such as making the pledge to a role model or their parents. Though it may sound contradictory, abstinence is not something that is done alone and it actually works best when peers, educators, and parents are involved. "Best Friends", a program founded in Washington, illustrates this concept. McIlheney (1999) reports that the program works closely with young girls from fifth grade until their graduation from high school. They work with adult role models, and their peers meet regularly to act as a support group. The goal of "Best Friends" is to cherish the freedom of the future, and not lose it to a mistake made as a teenager. The results have been amazing. McIlheney (1999) states that a 1995 study showed that girls enrolled in "Best Friends" had a 1.1 percent pregnancy rate, while the local area's average rate was 26 percent among non members. It is clear that the involvement of mentors and friends is a necessary part of abstinence and has a positive effect on a student's decision to remain celibate. Though "Best Friends" and the "Virginity Pledge" are primarily aimed at girls, abstinence programs have been diligent in addressing the other half of the problem, boys and young men. Contraceptive-based programs largely put the responsibility on the girl for adherence to control methods, which is not the case where abstinence is concerned. Boys accept their part in the Abstinence Offers New 4 equation and are taught to "[...] [A]ffect motivation, change attitudes, and develop the skills needed for boys and young men to act responsibly in their relations with teen girls"(Moore et. al., 2003, p.4). "Teen Aid" and "Sex Respect" are two such programs that cultivate character building and profess the virtues of abstinence. Boys are taught proper sexual behavior and girls are taught the fine art of saying "No". Peer pressure is significantly reduced as well as the rate of sexual initiation. Unwelcome advances can be reduced by as much as 30 percent in high school and middle school students (Rector, 2004). These abstinence programs have confronted the age-old aspects of teenage sexuality and they have been met with positive results. Another aspect that abstinence addresses is the promiscuous teenager. Even teens that had formerly been sexually active have realized the health benefits of changing their sexual habits. "Secondary virgins" (Bussey, 2003) are often eager to shed their anything goes attitude, and the image that goes with it. Their healthier image is more than just a fleeting feel-good attitude, for as Bussey, 2001, contends, "Secondary virginity decreases the risk of diseases by decreasing number of lifetime partners and is a very healthy goal for teens that have been sexually active in the past". Abstinence programs promote a better defense against the spread of STDs and have adjusted to make the benefits available to everyone. The problems associated with STDs and unwanted pregnancies have prompted educators to develop a new sense of excitement and urgency for abstinence programs. Students have also embraced abstinence as over 9 out of 10 now advocate abstaining from sex until after their high school (Maher, 2005). Basic programs, such as a simple "Virginity Pledge" (Mahar, 2005, p.5) can have a monumental effect on a young person's commitment, and when educators, parents, and students work together toward abstinence the results are undeniable. These results are produced in a new climate of respect where the responsibility is shared equally between the boys Abstinence Offers New 5 and the girls. These programs do take a serious commitment, but the results shown have been overwhelmingly positive. It may be too late for Jennifer, but for the millions of other teenagers sitting on that fence there is a workable option, and that option is abstinence. Abstinence Offers New 6 References Bussey L. (2001). Abstinence education will prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. 1-4. B.J. Grapes (Ed.). Sexually Transmitted Diseases . San Diego, CA: Greenhaven Press. Retrieved September 13, 2006, from Thomson-Gale Opposing Viewpoints database Maher, B. E. (2005). Abstinence is best message for teens. 1-8. C. Watkins (Ed). Teen Sex . San Diego, CA: Greenhaven Press. Retrieved September 4, 2006, from Thomson-Gale Opposing Viewpoints database McIlheney J.S. (1999). Sex education programs should emphasize abstinence. 1-6. T.L. Roleff (Ed.), Sex Education. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven Press. Retrieved September 13, 2006, from Thomson-Gale Opposing Viewpoints database Moore, K.A. et. al. (2003). Male involvement programs can reduce teenage pregnancy. 1-10. A. Ojeda (Ed.). Teenage Pregnancy . San Diego, CA: Greenhaven Press. Retrieved September 13, 2006, from Thomson-Gale Opposing Viewpoints database Rector R. (2004). Abstinence education is the most efficient way to protect teen health. 1-10. K. Bailey (Ed.), Sex Education . San Diego, CA: Greenhaven Press. Retrieved September 13, 2006, from Thomson-Gale Opposing Viewpoints database Roleff, T.L. (Ed.). (2002). Teen sex. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven Press. 1-5. Retrieved September 13, 2006, from Thomson-Gale Opposing Viewpoints database Read More