DaytonDailyNews.com

By Jennifer

April 3, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this

Parents: Ever stop to think, that try as you might, you can’t control your kids forever? Yes you may shove abstinence down their throat, but as soon as they go to college, they will do what they want anyways. Sex is a normal human drive! Each of us is a product of sex! People need to be taught to take control of their sexuality, not to fear it.

By Lou

April 2, 2007 12:10 AM | Link to this

The truth is that abstinance is a great method of birthcontrol. It keeps you safe from contracting an STD and it prevents unintended pregnancy 100%! However, abstinance is only a method and like any other method it only works 100% of the time with typical use!

By eMom

March 31, 2007 1:32 AM | Link to this

Gov. Strickland, how can we tell our children “you shouldn’t have sex, but since you’re going to anyway, here’s how to do it safely…” Shall we also tell them, “don’t drink and drive, but since you’re going to anyway, make sure to wear your seatbelt.” And, “don’t do drugs, but since you’re going to anyway, make sure to buy from a ‘reputable’ dealer so you don’t get ‘bad’drugs, and make sure to use a clean needle if your shooting up.” After all, we want you to be safe.

By eMom

March 31, 2007 1:22 AM | Link to this

Abstinence ed does work! But we must take it beyond the class room, into society. We must retrain ourselves and our children. Sex is not a game. It has purpose and meaning that cannot be found in illicit relationships. What can be special between a husband and wife who have never been with anyone else, is thrown away for immediate pleasure. Sometimes that special gift is given away because we are not trained how to avoid tempting situations. Don’t go where it can happen! Stay in public places!

By Kathie

March 28, 2007 5:53 PM | Link to this

What’s wrong with teaching our young people that we must be able to contol our emotional and physical desires?If we don’t teach our children to restrain their desires, we’re setting them up for all sorts of addictions.Everyday we are faced with physical and emotional desires that could lead to death, financial and emotional ruin.Is it ok to shoot a person we don’t like? To gamble the money for the house payment? To do drugs? To have sex with anybody you want to? Are we not above animals?

By Jenny

March 25, 2007 11:36 PM | Link to this

Thank Heaven for the Governor of OHIO. When Schools and Churches need big money from the U S Government to teach abstinence - it lowers the RESPECT for both schools, and especially CHURCHES.
Schools and Churches have buildings, leaders, etc. Why do they need millions of dollars? I have seen some of these gov. lists where churches get $1 million to teach abstinence. I am a grandmother. I had SEX EDUCATION in High School 48 years ago - and my parents taught me respect for my self

By If only I knew

March 23, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this

I wish someone would have told me that I had something awesome and wonderful to give to my spouse, my sexuality. Most people wouldn’t allow a complete stranger to play in our hair so, why would we diminish the most intimate act to just something you do because of raging hormones? We are human beings with a hardwiring called self control that would promote respect for others.

By Fr. Larry Gearhart

March 23, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this

Having public authorities teaching kids how to use condoms will only encourage them in the delusion that they can protect themselves against the negative fallout of entering into a sexual relationship before marriage. It will encourage them to continue nurturing irresponsible sexual behavior. I have never understood the logic that says this is o.k. in today’s world because they’re going to “do it” anyway. They will only “do it” if they remain as ignorant as the culture at large.

By Milla

March 23, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this

The ONLY method 100% successful (no sex = no STD & no babies) is no good for Strickland. Great: let’s teach our kids how to fit a condom in a banana, get them to read all the filth from Public Libraries (have you checked their children’s section lately?)! That will stop them from having sex! Hey, let’s also teach them how to handle and fire guns! That will stop them from using guns! And don’t forget cigarettes: they will not smoke if we teach them how!

By NAIMAH ONEAL

March 23, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this

HAS A MOTHER OF TWO GIRLS AND SOMEONE WHO IS LIVING WITH HIV. I FEELING THAT ABSTINENCE-ONLY-UNTIL-MARRIAGE PROGRAMS IS SETTING OUR CHILDREN UP TO FAIL. OUR KIDS CAN’T LIVE IN AN AIR BUBBLE. THEY MUST LIVE WITH OTHER CHILDREN THAT HAVE DIFFRENT VALUES. TO KEEP THEM SAFE WE AS ADULTS MUST GIVE THEM THE TOTAL HEALTH CARE PACKETS AND THAT INCLUDES SAFER SEX. ANYTHING LESS WOULD BE UNTHINKABLE. I FEEL THAT IF SOMEONE HAD TOLD ME ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF CONDOMS I MIGHT NOT HAVE HIV TODAY.

By Darin

March 23, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this

How about providing some of the more interesting statements and see what the readers think?

“We need to encourage sexuality of all types and provide condoms at school for youth in grades K through 12. Girls must be empowered with the right to hook-up with boys at whatever age they feel is right for them, and then obtain needed and inconsequential abortions. Boys who have anal sex with other boys at age 13 should learn that this can be managed nicely with condoms.”

By Carol

March 23, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this

Sex education should be comprehensive instead of abstinence-only. Keep it age-appropriate for the kids, promote abstinence as best for their stage of life, but at some point they do need to know the whole story, and ignorance will only hurt them.

By Sailor

March 23, 2007 9:59 AM | Link to this

Wait a Minute. Just think these are the people that teach the next generation math also. They can not add the budget to operate without screaming for more tax money and now they want to teach abstinance?

By A Father

March 23, 2007 9:19 AM | Link to this

As the father of a boy and a girl — soon to be teens — I want them to know all the information. The idea that we would intentionally witthhold information about condoms and contraceptives from teens because we think they should be abstinent is cruel. We should underline the importance of abstinence, AND provide concrete help to young adults who are not married but sexually active.

By Dianne

March 22, 2007 11:13 PM | Link to this

Governor Strickland should be applauded! He knows that abstinence-only programs are ideology-based but not evidence-based. In other words, with all of the millions of taxpayer dollars spent on them, there is no research evidence that says any of them work. On the other hand, quite a bit of research shows that comprehensive sexuality education works. Kids deserve to know the whole truth about their bodies and methods that can be used to prevent pregnancy and STIs. Good move!

By DG

March 22, 2007 10:33 PM | Link to this

This is a great step forward. While abstinence is a great goal, less than 15% of people wait until marriage. We need to teach our children to respect themselves and each other. Teaching people about their bodies and about the science that goes with there bodies is going to do a lot more to promote responsible choices. Maybe we should start with more responible national policy towards other nations and set an example for of children of how mature people should act, not violence & warmongering.

By karon

March 22, 2007 9:53 PM | Link to this

in europe sex is explained to kids when they are 5 years old, and they are taught about birth control methods after that age throughout childhood and puberty. then they are told if they dont use bith control methods they are just being irresponsible. illegimate births in Europe are extremely low. Responsible Americans know this, but irresponsible conservative religious nuts apparently do not.

By KC

March 22, 2007 6:59 PM | Link to this

Abstinence is a fairy tale that never has a happy ending. In the end, no matter HOW MUCH preparation, or training that happens -people still do what they want, even in the light of better knowledge. I feel that all forms of information are valid and needed. Perhaps there is too much sex ed, perhaps not enough, and there will never be a happy medium. Let’s just hope people use the knowledge that god gave them, instead of the hormones, lapses in judgement they usually employ.

By Tom Diederich

March 22, 2007 6:36 PM | Link to this

Support Planned Parenthood of America. they do not preach] they do not promote the young to have sexl They have saved lives with clinical care.

By Tom Diederich

March 22, 2007 6:31 PM | Link to this

We have a governor with intelligence & courage. Young people need fact based education on sex. Our media promotes a fascination with real sex, not a good thing.

The church has long dominated us with alternatives to getting pregnant. We see regular parades of the Right to Life.hey have a big sign and office at St E. Abortion is a private matter. Birth contol by condome also prevents the horro of VD, especially the deadly aids.

Talk to young people, preach if you must..

By Mark

March 22, 2007 5:52 PM | Link to this

Last time, continued from below… People need to stop looking at this as a religious issue. People should look at it from a medical standpoint. People need to look at the facts and TEACH OUR KIDS RESPECT. We need to remember life in the 60s when marriage was something sacred and when people viewed health over pleasure. Kids should recieve the sex education that I had, one intense week of talks about relationships, STIs, emotional consequences and abstinence with a day of contraceptives.

By Mark

March 22, 2007 5:39 PM | Link to this

Again, continued from below… Not only are there physical effects, but the psychological effects on teens with STIs or pregnancy should be enough to bring concern to the American public. I do not think kids of today should be fed the lie that if you are going to have sex, “wear a condom, you’ll be safe.” Condoms have only been proven to be “effective” against AIDS and pregnancy. Researchers have yet to find conclusive evidence of effectiveness against the majority of STIs.

By Mark

March 22, 2007 5:32 PM | Link to this

Continued from below… Too many young lives are being seriosly affected by their sexual behaviors. Nearly 10 million young adults (from 15-24) are infected each year with an sexually transmitted infection. That combined with the failure rate for condoms among teenage men (if they even choose to wear a condom)is leading the country into an epidemic. American’s infected with STIs each year are costing tax payers to the tune of nearly 6 Billion dollars.

By Mark

March 22, 2007 5:27 PM | Link to this

I am curious where Brian went to school, because I just graduated from Lakota last year and recieved comprehensive sex education. People need to stop coming to conclusions. Abstinence-only DOES NOT equal religious, for religion cannot be taught in public schools (like Lakota), and comprehensive sex education does not equal ‘here’s condom, go have sex.’ I am 19 years old and a freshman in college. I have made my choice of abstinece for me, with NO religious backing to my decision.

By Karyl

March 22, 2007 3:50 PM | Link to this

I think sometimes those worried forget: that doesn’t mean they have to stop saying abstinence is the only 100% effective method. It just means they have to say “But here are these other methods you should know about too.” 99% is pretty good odds, too.

Teenagers are first and foremost HUMAN. Never forget that.

Also, abstinence until marriage is only 100% effective if both partners were. And though unfortunate, partners aren’t always 100% honest with each other.

By Annie

March 22, 2007 2:35 PM | Link to this

Saying no thank you to funding is decieving. The decision as to what form of sex education our children receive comes from within the Department of Health. The Governor’s office implies funding sources decide the form of education that is bought. It is a push by Mary Oshea of planned parenthood to re-introduce a more explicit program that died in 2000. Now that there is a new DOH director, the initiative is seeing a revival.

By Sarah

March 22, 2007 2:29 PM | Link to this

I fully support Governor Strickland’s decision! While abstinence is the ideal, it is not a reality. It would be ideal for children and youth not to have sex, but there will always be the few who do, and we must educate them on risk-reduction methods (condoms, HIV testing, etc.). If we don’t educate our youth on prevention, we will end up paying for it with our tax dollars anyway. If we want to empower youth with choices, we need to empower them with truthful and medically accurate information.

By Urban Dweller

March 22, 2007 2:25 PM | Link to this

Hello people?!? What we all seem to be forgetting here is that we are talking about teenagers. They can have the best intentions in the world but, at that age, hormones are raging. You can have a teenage couple who have both taken a pledge of abstinence until marriage, but get them together in a dark basement alone on a weekend night and, more than likely, the inevitable is going to happen. At least if they’ve been taught safe sex there’s a chance an unwanted pregnancy WON’T occur.

By Jackie

March 22, 2007 1:12 PM | Link to this

I support Gov. Strickland fully! The whole picture should be given. Teens are maturing sexually earlier and earlier, but we are asking them to wait later and later to have sex. One hundred years ago, “women” were getting married at 16 and having children soon after. Religious fundamentalists should instead be railing against the fact that society has changed so much that people cannot (by their definition) do what God apparently intended them to do. Most people have adapted to reality.

By JW

March 22, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this

It is sad to read through all of these posts and see the anger some of you express on this issue. The fact is that Abstinence-Only programs are just trying to give kids the most ideal message. “Comprehensive” sex education gives kids a mixed message, that they shouldn not do it, but if they do then at least be kind of safe, because in reality that’s all it is, a little more effective than using nothing. While I am excited and feel very blessed, my wife is now pregnant and we used “safe sex.”

By Drew

March 22, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this

It suprises me that Gov. Strictland would take away moneys that preach abstinence to teenagers. Doesn’t the Governor have a Master of Divinity? Wasn’t he a Minister at one point in his life? Can anyone posting a comment tell me any sect of religion that doesn’t teach abstinence to teenagers? I guess I wouldn’t have a problem if the Governor didn’t repeatedly state how religious he was when he was campaigning. Total and complete HYPOCRISY.

By paul

March 22, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this

I do believe from within my religious perspective and outside my religious perspective that abstinence is the best path. Is it the ideal? Yes, but since when should we NOT shoot for the ideal. Do we just accept the “next best thing” as the best thing? It seems that programs outside of abstinence do just that. There is no such thing as “safe sex,” just “safer sex.” Are telling young people that we only care enough to give them what is “safer,” not what is truly safe.

By Michelle

March 22, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this

Abstinence only education does not work. Kids will find a way around it. Did you know that most kids who sign these agreements to abstain from sex do not consider oral or anal sex to be sex? They end up with STD’s and are shocked because they didn’t have sex.

Kids need to know that yes abstinence is the only 100% effective way to prevent STD’s and pregnancy, but they also need to know how to protect themselves if they choose to have sex.

By seebeyond

March 22, 2007 11:44 AM | Link to this

We must empower women of ALL ages to be able to say “No!” emphatically. “No, it is not in my best interest to have sex, to risk pregnancy and disease, to have an abortion, or to have a child before I am ready to raise one!” MOST girls DON’t realy want to have sex outside committed love. They’re pressured. When girls are empowered to understand the power and respect they gain by saying NO, all of society wins!! Please, Gov Strickland, don’t underestimate abstinence education!

By Sarah

March 22, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this

Abstinence-only education has been shown over and over again to poorly prepare people for the rest of their lives. When these kids do start having sex (and most of the planet does, sooner or later), they have higher rates of STDs, and an abyssmal understanding of their own bodies and options for safety. It’s a disgusting triumph of religion over common sense. It’s an incredible relief to see that this administration is showing some sense about this issue, rather than wasting more money.

By Bill

March 22, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this

The basic facts of life and relationships must come from family. Many young people don’t have this available to them. Even those from good caring families struggle with these desisions. To not give them all available information, not just abstainence, should be considered criminaly stupid. I support the Govenors decision.

By susieq

March 22, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this

in a ‘perfect’ world, maybe abstinence would work. but in ours, it doesn’t seem to. teens need to have the correct information in order to make good choices. many ‘abstinence-only’ programs propagate misleading information based unfortunately on political/religious beliefs. this, like abortion, has become a political football. these are private, personal choices, not fodder for campaign speeches. i applaud governor strickland for his decision. we should spend the $23 million on at-risk children

By SLM

March 22, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this

As several of you have pointed out, it is ultimately the teenager’s decision. No matter how perfect the relationship is between child and parent, it is a very personal choice whether or not to have sex. Teaching kids about sex and protecting themselves should they decide to have sex is the best defense against teen pregnancy and disease. Give them the tools, but let them decide. Knowledge is power. Bravo, Mr. Strickland!

By Annie

March 22, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this

I am greatly opposed to replacing the abstinance class. The teen pregnancy rate has declined in the State of Ohio for the past 10 years. The abstinance program works. The new program under the guise of pregnancy prevention is vulgar and profane. The program forces children to practice with condoms; required to role play in homosexual/lesbian and multiple partner scenarios. Students are required to sign a confidentiality agreement and vow not to discuss the class, not even with parents.

By Mary O'Shea

March 22, 2007 10:12 AM | Link to this

Governor Strickland has taken a courageous stance against funding these programs that contain false, misleading and medically inaccurate information! We should be proud to be the 6th state to reject this blatant misuse of taxpayer dollars in support of the real needs of our teens! Bravo!

By Sailor

March 22, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this

Abstinance Program funded by the same administration party that spent millions of tax money on the quote By Nancy Reagan Just Say No which did not work either. Gov. Strikland is on the right path and we should support him in his decision.

By vandee

March 22, 2007 9:51 AM | Link to this

The problem is the ‘only’ part of Abstinence Only Education. Our daughter has abstained from sex because we gave her ALL the information about sex, relationships and birth control. She has made the decision to abstain. Isn’t that what we want as parents and society - to give people all the information so they can make an informed decision that they will feel good about? Thank goodness the state can save some money now.

By get it straight

March 22, 2007 9:47 AM | Link to this

For those of you concerned about the statistics, please check out www.medinstitute.org and www.waittraining.com. Condom effectiveness, teen pregnancy, peer reviewed articles of abstinence until marraige programs WORKING are all on those two sites. And please don’t use the religious fanatic argument, there is far too much scientific evidence to prove that abstinence is the only 100% PROTECTION against STI/STDs, pregnancy, as well as all the emotional baggage that comes with teen sex.

By Smart Mother

March 22, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this

Duh. Condoms are not 100% effective in preventing pregnancy. Someone explain to me how it is, then, that they are meant to prevent sexually transmitted diseases.

BT: If 4th Graders are having sexual encounters, they did NOT learn this behavior from an environment that embraces chastity.

It’s really a no-brainer, folks!

By Gary

March 22, 2007 9:40 AM | Link to this

Too many people have BT’s attitude. They state that Abstinence is unrealistic. Sex is just like any other appetite or desire. It can be controlled. If a behavior is accepted as inevitable it is only a short step to complete acceptance. We improve by striving for something better. Don’t sell kids short. Most tend to live up to our expectations. If we expect them to have sex they will. If expect better we more often than not will get it. And how do you prepare a 4th grader for sex?

By Justus

March 22, 2007 9:22 AM | Link to this

Ok, everyone settle down! I’m all for teaching abstinence to kids, it really is that safest way to prevent unplanned pregnancies and the spread of std’s, but proper use of various birth control methods should taught also.

By Sam

March 22, 2007 9:05 AM | Link to this

“Ohio abstinence groups have received $23.7 million in federal money” Are you kidding me. Sounds like a great savings to all of us tax payers. Just because it comes from the federal government doesn’t mean we didn’t pay for it. Where are all the private sector / personal responsibility / family value champions when you need them. I don’t think you need $23.7 million in government funding to tell a teenage child to abstain from sex.

By Debbie

March 22, 2007 8:53 AM | Link to this

How sad! Have we lost all sense of family values. I teach abstinence to my kids at home, and in public school,I can only interject my beliefs on what they hear at school and other places. Ultamitaly its their decision,but hopefully I have given them the tools to make proper decisions. For kids who have no family support they need someone to tell them its ok to wait. Not everyone is having sex. It comes down to respect Kids who are taught to respect themselves find it easier abstain.

By Brett

March 22, 2007 8:41 AM | Link to this

To Nazimova, Did you read what you wrote? Good job. They want taught “only Christianianity and not the more tolerant, open Christian religions.” What is a more open CHRISTIAN religion that’s not CHRISTIANIANITY?

By Bob

March 22, 2007 8:40 AM | Link to this

What a joke that program is to start with. Dreamed up by a bunch of religious freak bible thumpers. Here’s an idea for them… break away from the U.S. and start their own country in Texas. George can continue to be their king.

By WorthSaving

March 22, 2007 8:37 AM | Link to this

We shouldn’t be playing politics with our children’s health. The fact is that abstinence from sexual activity while unmarried is the healthiest choice for school-aged kids. What would our society look like if everyone held up that attainable ideal for our kids instead of giving up on kids and assuming the worst about them? Money is being made selling sex to younger and younger kids, and that is costing them their health and future happiness.

By Nazimova

March 22, 2007 8:35 AM | Link to this

Why is it the right wing “christer’s” don’t want the public school system/government to teach their kids about sex—but they want them to teach their kids about religion (well—only Christianianity and not the more tolerant, open Christian religions…)?

By RoadRager

March 22, 2007 8:22 AM | Link to this

Look at the stats on the state websites for the states that do not enforce abstinence education and check out the teen pregnancy/birth rates.. go ahead… look! keep it up and we will be ranked right up there with Clifornia…Go right ahead… You will be spending that college fund on Similac and Pampers instead of Stanford

By RoadRager

March 22, 2007 8:15 AM | Link to this

You leftist-commie-soon-to-be-grampa & grammie’s can pull your kids out of these pro-abstinence classes and tell your kids to use common sense and condoms and see where it lands them AND you… You will be the ones bouncing grandbabies on your knees while junior finsishes out the 10th grade. I’ve seen it in my own ranks and dodged the same bullet as a teen myself and had I to do it all over again I would have done things alot differently.

By RoadRager

March 22, 2007 8:09 AM | Link to this

OOOOOOOOOOOHHHH Boyyyyy.. I hear a lot of bashing on this issues and I tell you what… You know, they used to have these things called Chastity Belts… I am all for educating kids in forms of awareness and protection issues just so they are not ignorant about these issues when they reach “Maturity” but we still need to ephasize the importance of abstinence, as teens are far to immature to be having sex… Hell, most 20-year-olds and even some in their 30’s have no business engaging in it.

By Warren

March 22, 2007 8:09 AM | Link to this

It’s payoff time to the wacko left wing hate groups. Stricklands supporters make a ton of money aborting babies and want nothing to interfere with their enterprise. Think about it — even something as sane as parental notification sends the various family haters into hysterics. A pregnant teen is a possible customer, not to be judged. Abortion is always an alternative and these “caring feminists” will help you through this trying time, for a few hundred dollars. Liberal financial compassion!

By BT

March 22, 2007 8:01 AM | Link to this

Teaching abstinence only is a joke! We have to be realistic. Fourth graders if not younger, are already having sexual encounters. They know more about sex than you think. We should be encouraging abstinence but we also have to teach these kids how to be mentally and physically responsible if they choose to to have any type of sexual intercourse or contact.

By loresa

March 22, 2007 7:35 AM | Link to this

Gov. Ted Stricklandis deserves praise because he making the right decision. Teens should be informed not disillusioned with abstinence only sex education. In one of the leading abstinence websites, AEN, states that “For pregnancy, condoms fail 1 out of 5 times”. I checked the page to find a reference section or something that would state where this statistic was found, but there was none. This tels me that either they made this fact up, or they adjusted the statistic to fit their needs.

By the Strawboss

March 22, 2007 7:06 AM | Link to this

Some people value preserving a theology over preserving lives.

By tall paul

March 22, 2007 6:48 AM | Link to this

abstinence only sex education, another lame joke perpetrated upon us all by the riech wing evangelical nut cases of the country. almost as lame as nancy prancy rayguns “just say no” drug education plan was in the eighties. it is beyond high time to get the religious zealots out of the political arena and push them into the irrelevence by seperation that our constitution demands. they are not special nor should any legislation hinge on their desires over the rest of us.

By Brian

March 22, 2007 1:10 AM | Link to this

being that im a teenager myself (17), and that I was a student of these “abstinance only” classes, and I can say they don’t work. what DOES work, is providing people with information to make their own decisions, I personally have chosen to stay “technically” a virgin until marriage, because realistically if i try to stay COMPLETELY abstinant for my entire high school career…ha…just wont happen.

just my take, make them less preachy, more informational.