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 studys 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.
Its 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 wont 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 doesnt 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 dont
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.
|