Abstinence pledgers have same rate of STDs
Officials say the university must provide information about safe sex.

By Liddy Serio
Staff Reporter

A study has shown STD rates are fairly equal between teens who pledged to remain virgins until marriage and those who did not pledge abstinence before getting married.

The study, done by Columbia and Yale Universities, gathered information from children ages 12 to 18 and questioned them again six years later. The results showed STD rates between the two groups were statistically similar and those practicing abstinence until marriage are more likely to get married earlier in life.

Many critics of abstinence-only education across the country see the study’s results as a sign students should learn more about safe sex instead of being taught only about abstinence. Lisa Vanderlinden, a professor of sociology and anthropology, said the study shows a need for improved education programs.

“Part of the problem is that sexual education programs are not diverse enough,” she said.

Burton Schwartz, a physician at the Health Center, said most TCU students have intercourse. Therefore, the university should not preach only abstinence, but should have relevant information for the majority of students, who do have sex, he said.

“The problem with abstinence advocation is that people want college to make students more abstinent. It’s not the job of the university to get on the bandwagon,” he said.

Vanderlinden said educating people about safe sex does not necessarily encourage them to have sex.

“The rhetoric is that if we tell people about other options, they won’t abstain,” she said. “But the data shows that when people are given more options, they behave more responsibly.”

Kyle Lester, a sophomore social work major, said while he personally believes in abstinence, he is not opposed to safe sex education, as long as it doesn’t try to sway students in a particular direction.

“Being educated is not the same as having something pushed in your face and encouraged,” he said. “I oppose the way some schools do it, but I think the proper education is needed.”

Schwartz said many people define abstinence differently and there is a disparity among medical professionals on what sex actually is. He said many students don’t consider oral or anal sex to be actual sex, though STDs can be transferred.

Vanderlinden also said the definition of what abstinence actually is depends on who you ask.

“People who have pledged abstinence may have oral sex because they do not consider it sex,” she said. “But you can still get an STD from oral sex.”

Lester said he defines abstinence as staying away all from sexual practices, such as oral sex.

“To me, abstinence is staying away from any type of sexual practice until you are married,” he said.

Schwartz said the doctors at the Health Center condone abstinence, but it is still the responsibility of the parents, high schools and churches to promote it.

“Face it,” he said. “Teenagers and young people have always been interested in sex, even in straight-laced Victorian times. People were having sex since the Garden of Eden.”