I often find myself caught somewhere between the “ideal” and “reality” on how to go about teaching people about safe sex. The ideal and par excellence solution to unwanted pregnancy, STD’s, HIV/AIDS is indeed “Abstinence Only. That said, we have to meet people where they really might find themselves, and equip them with the best knowledge, skills and tools available to stay healthy (and alive!). The most realistic message is “Abstinence Plus” and the best place for educating and equiping our children is the home first, then school. I don’t believe in parents abdicating their parental duty to the schools. Yet, for a myriad of reasons, some parents simply will not equip their children with these life & death decision making power and tools. The schools can help bridge this gap with life saving information and condoms. According to a recent study, “There is no evidence that programs promoting safer sex measures along with sexual abstinence lead to more sexually transmitted infections (STI), according to a new review of studies comprising nearly 40,000 young people. (Medical News Today, 2008).
Now some fear that Abstinence Plus is a mixed message, sending a “Red Light/Green Light” message to our children which confuses teens and young adults about parental expectations. As a solution I recommend frank and honest communication which can go a long way in addressing those fears. There are no easy or comfortable answers but the sooner we open age-appropriate lines of communications, the better. Our task is to reach people before they engage in risky behavior that could affect them and others for the rest of their lives.
I believe that we should always strive for the ideal standards of health and well-being yet at the same time never lose sight of the actual world we live in. We should continue promoting the ideal of Abstinence as the 100% sure means of prevention, while at the same time providing education on methods of safer sex practices. It is not contradictory to do so, it is realistic.
The Ugandans have successfully used a simply ABC model that goes like this; Abstinence, Be faithful, and if A & B are impossible, use Condoms. Simple and effective. (Global Health Council, 2006).
References:
Global Health Council. (2006). Retrieved from http://www.globalhealth.org/sources/view.php3?id=1382
Medical News Today. (2008). “Abstinence plus” programs can reduce risky sexual behavior in youth. Retrieved from phttp://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/97107.php
Now some fear that Abstinence Plus is a mixed message, sending a “Red Light/Green Light” message to our children which confuses teens and young adults about parental expectations. As a solution I recommend frank and honest communication which can go a long way in addressing those fears. There are no easy or comfortable answers but the sooner we open age-appropriate lines of communications, the better. Our task is to reach people before they engage in risky behavior that could affect them and others for the rest of their lives.
I believe that we should always strive for the ideal standards of health and well-being yet at the same time never lose sight of the actual world we live in. We should continue promoting the ideal of Abstinence as the 100% sure means of prevention, while at the same time providing education on methods of safer sex practices. It is not contradictory to do so, it is realistic.
The Ugandans have successfully used a simply ABC model that goes like this; Abstinence, Be faithful, and if A & B are impossible, use Condoms. Simple and effective. (Global Health Council, 2006).
References:
Global Health Council. (2006). Retrieved from http://www.globalhealth.org/sources/view.php3?id=1382
Medical News Today. (2008). “Abstinence plus” programs can reduce risky sexual behavior in youth. Retrieved from phttp://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/97107.php
Wow, I love the picture and the ABC Model. What a simple solution to such a complicated subject. My philosophy has always been, better to be safe than sorry. Sounds like a solution that we could implement!
ReplyDeleteJulie Diaz
Nora,
ReplyDeleteI also love the picture and the ABC model. I also agree with you that all to often parents rely on schools to "parent" their children. I think that we should teach the reality of sex. We have to be honest with teens about sex. It is an enjoyable experience, it feels good and there is a purpose for it. We also need to teach them that there are consequences to having sex that can not only burden life but can end it. That way they will be able to make a decision having all the facts and not just hearsay from friends.