Key Arguments About Abstinence Education

1. Abstinence as a Preventive Health Practice:

• Safety and Health Focus:
• Abstinence is described as a safe and effective strategy to prevent health risks, such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies.
• The emphasis is on promoting abstinence as a preventive health measure, framing it as a responsible decision with long-term benefits.

2. Emotional and Social Maturity:

• Preparedness for Parenthood:
• Abstinence is positioned as a way for young people to postpone sexual activity until they are emotionally, morally, and financially prepared for the responsibilities of parenthood.
• Maturity and Decision-Making:
• It is argued that abstinence education helps young people develop the maturity needed to make informed and responsible decisions about their futures.

3. Building Self-Esteem and Character:

• Personal Development:
• Abstinence education is portrayed as more than just teaching youth to "say no." It is framed as a program that supports:
• Building self-esteem.
• Encouraging character development.
• Instilling values of responsibility and self-control.
• This argument suggests abstinence education has broader benefits for personal and social development, beyond its health-related outcomes.

4. Public Support for Abstinence Education:

• Demand for Abstinence Messages:
• The statement suggests that there is public interest in promoting abstinence, with parents and communities questioning why it is not emphasized more in schools.
• It implies that there is greater concern about promoting responsible decision-making than about increasing the amount of sex education focused on contraceptives or sexual activity.

5. Abstinence as a Positive Message:

• Framing Abstinence Positively:
• Abstinence is not presented as a restrictive or punitive measure but as a supportive and empowering choice that allows young people to focus on their development and future goals.
• It is framed as a proactive approach to health and well-being.

Underlying Values and Justifications

1. Health and Prevention:

• Emphasizing abstinence as a preventive strategy aligns with broader public health goals of reducing teen pregnancy and STI rates.

2. Parental and Community Values:

• The argument appeals to the belief that schools should reinforce values that many parents want their children to learn, such as responsibility, self-control, and character development.

3. Focus on Personal Responsibility:

• Abstinence education supports the idea that young people should take responsibility for their choices and avoid risks until they are prepared to handle potential consequences.

4. Moral and Emotional Readiness:

• The argument highlights the moral and emotional aspects of sexual activity, suggesting that maturity and readiness are essential before engaging in it.

Critiques and Counterarguments (Implied but Unstated):

While the text does not address critiques of abstinence education, some common counterarguments include:

• The effectiveness of abstinence-only education has been debated, with critics arguing that comprehensive sex education (which includes information about contraception and STI prevention) may be more effective in achieving health-related outcomes.
• Concerns that abstinence-only education may leave students unprepared to make safe decisions if they choose to become sexually active.

Conclusion:

The arguments for abstinence education focus on its value as a preventive health practice, a character-building tool, and a way to promote emotional and social maturity. It is framed as a positive and empowering choice for young people, emphasizing personal responsibility and self-esteem. These arguments appeal to public concerns about health, morality, and preparing youth for future responsibilities.

• “In my service as Governor, I’ve never had anyone complain to me that their kids are not learning enough about sex in school. However, a number of people have asked me why it is that we do not speak more about abstinence as a safe and preventive health practice. Abstinence education gives young people the support they need in making the decision to postpone sexual activity until they are mature enough to handle the emotional, moral and financial responsibilities of parenthood,” he said. “This is more than teaching kids to say no – it will help them preserve self-esteem and build character.”
• Governor Mitt Romney, 04-20-2006 Press Release

Press Releases from Governor Mitt Romney on Abstinence Education

04-20-2006, ROMNEY ANNOUNCES AWARD OF ABSTINENCE EDUCATION CONTRACT

Also See:

1. Abstinence education
2. Charter Schools
3. Education Reform
4. Politics and Schools