Like a Virgin
I always thought it was a little strange that (a) there is a Christian Sex Education Project and that (b) there sole goal in life is making teens pledge they won't have sex until they're married. And come to find out that- surprise!- many of these kids are breaking their pledges without a second thought.
Now, I wholeheartedly agree that a 12-year-old has no business engaging in any sex act. Just like I also believe that high school kids are too young to take such a great responsibility -- for themselves and their partner. But I can't believe that any teenager is willing to sign a pledge that they'll be abstinent until marriage and then believe that because they signed their name that they're beholden to it.
A few inspirational and/or scary words from some right-wing conservative pro-abstinence groups and I can see where maybe some kids would think, "Well, now I'm scared." But all it takes are some teenage hormones to make the thought of that pledge fly out the window. Because when you're a teenager, having sex is cool. It might mean stories for the guys or keeping your boyfriend (or so you think). They're not saying yes for the right reasons, but they're not saying no for the right ones either. And signing your namke to a pledge is worthless if you're not doing it for yourself and the right reasons.
Isn't it up to parents to hand down good values for their children? Isn't it up to parents to discuss their expectations with their children; advise them of not only the basics behind the birds and the bees, but also that it is a matter of self-respect to conduct such acts with one you truly love.
But obviously they're not all doing that. Who's tuning in to these kids? Who's ensuring they grow up to be caring, thoughtful, respectful and self-respecting adults? Apparently, just the pledge collectors who are so adamant that the stats aren't true. Maybe they care so much about our future adults that they can't bellieve they're good work is shot to hell by pure human desire.
Now, I wholeheartedly agree that a 12-year-old has no business engaging in any sex act. Just like I also believe that high school kids are too young to take such a great responsibility -- for themselves and their partner. But I can't believe that any teenager is willing to sign a pledge that they'll be abstinent until marriage and then believe that because they signed their name that they're beholden to it.
A few inspirational and/or scary words from some right-wing conservative pro-abstinence groups and I can see where maybe some kids would think, "Well, now I'm scared." But all it takes are some teenage hormones to make the thought of that pledge fly out the window. Because when you're a teenager, having sex is cool. It might mean stories for the guys or keeping your boyfriend (or so you think). They're not saying yes for the right reasons, but they're not saying no for the right ones either. And signing your namke to a pledge is worthless if you're not doing it for yourself and the right reasons.
Isn't it up to parents to hand down good values for their children? Isn't it up to parents to discuss their expectations with their children; advise them of not only the basics behind the birds and the bees, but also that it is a matter of self-respect to conduct such acts with one you truly love.
But obviously they're not all doing that. Who's tuning in to these kids? Who's ensuring they grow up to be caring, thoughtful, respectful and self-respecting adults? Apparently, just the pledge collectors who are so adamant that the stats aren't true. Maybe they care so much about our future adults that they can't bellieve they're good work is shot to hell by pure human desire.
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