Let's talk about sex

... or how abstinence makes the heart grow fonder!

It's funny -- as in odd, not ha ha -- how religious right conservatives would have you believe that the answer to preventing teen sex is to simply teach kids about abstinence. Well guess what? It still doesn't work!

The Associated Press reports:

Programs that focus exclusively on abstinence have not been shown to affect teenager sexual behavior, although they are eligible for tens of millions of dollars in federal grants, according to a study released by a nonpartisan group that seeks to reduce teen pregnancies.

"At present there does not exist any strong evidence that any abstinence program delays the initiation of sex, hastens the return to abstinence or reduces the number of sexual partners" among teenagers, the study concluded.

The report, which was based on a review of research into teenager sexual behavior, was being released Wednesday by the nonpartisan National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.

The study found that while abstinence-only efforts appear to have little positive impact, more comprehensive sex education programs were having "positive outcomes" including teenagers "delaying the initiation of sex, reducing the frequency of sex, reducing the number of sexual partners and increasing condom or contraceptive use."

"Two-thirds of the 48 comprehensive programs that supported both abstinence and the use of condoms and contraceptives for sexually active teens had positive behavior effect," said the report.

A spending bill before Congress for the Department of Health and Human Services would provide $141 million in assistance for community-based, abstinence-only sex education programs, $4 million more than what President Bush had requested.

Instead of wasting precious time, and tax-payer dollars, wouldn't it be better to simply provide comprehensive sex education to students?

Maybe a way to start would be to encourage teens to watch the Midwest Teen Sex Show! I'm sure it's more educational/beneficial than an abstinence-only program.

Or another idea would be to provide more sports programs for girls. Studies indicate that creating opportunities for girls to play sports can play a key role in reducing teen pregnancy.

We have the information needed to help prevent kids of engaging in sex before they are ready, or to protect themselves when they do. Too bad we don't have an administration, or Congress, willing to accept the truth.