Abstinence vs. "Safe" Sex


The Myth

It is unreasonable to expect adolescents to abstain from sexual activity until marriage.  Therefore, they must be taught how to engage in “safe” sex.

The Truth

There is no such thing as “safe” sex outside of the bounds of faithful, monogamous marriage.  There are mental, spiritual, emotional, and physical consequences to all sexual activity.  For example, on the physical side, according to Abstinence Clearinghouse, “Condoms fail to prevent exposure to HIV/AIDS – a disease that is still 100 percent fatal - nearly 16 percent of the time.”  Moreover, “There is no scientific evidence that condoms prevent transmission of chlamydia, trichomoniasis, herpes, syphilis, chanchroid or human papilloma virus (HPV).”  (See http://www.abstinenceclearinghouse.org/about/101.php for more information.)  Additionally, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Continuous abstinence…is the only 100-percent effective way to prevent pregnancy, HIV, and other STDs.”