Abstinence only: What are the benefits?

Abstinence only was the only form of sex education allowed in schools under the George W. Bush Administration.  As the president, he would only fund abstinence only education.  The schools that wanted to teach the comprehensive topic had to provide their own funding.  Abstinence only education assures teens that they will not get pregnant, contract STIs or become emotional turmoil from a sexual relationship.  Below is a list from http://www.avert.org/abstinence.htm of other reasons that make abstinence only beneficial.

·         Abstinence from sexual activity outside marriage is the expected standard for all school age children

·         Abstinence from sexual activity is the only certain way to avoid out of wedlock pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and other associated health problems

·         A mutually faithful, monogamous relationship in the context of marriage is the expected standard of sexual activity

·         Sexual activity outside the context of marriage is likely to have harmful psychological and physical effects

·         Bearing children out of wedlock is likely to have harmful consequences for the child, the child’s parents, and society

·         How to reject sexual advances and that alcohol and drug use increases vulnerability to sexual advances

·         The importance of attaining self sufficiency before engaging in sexual activity