A common theme in all these posts is the idea of KNOWLEDGE. If parents do not have adequate knowledge about sex, diseases, and different types of contraceptives, how can they possibly educate their children on these means? Children have the difficult position of being subjected to the ignorance of abstinence-only programs while living in households that may hold an equally limited view of sex and the human body. It is no wonder that of all the developed nations of the world, America ranks number one in teenage pregnancy, STDs, and abortion. Ignorance is a far more grievous sin than sexual empowerment.

Abstinence is one of the most illogical and brain dead activities that I have ever heard of. We should not teach children that sex is something dirty and disgusting, but something enjoyable. However, we should not just toss images, ideas, and "all-you-can-eat" passes their way. We need to show them appropriate types of sex. They need to be taught that sex does happen. Sex is very much present in every part of our culture and unless we show them what types of sex are ok, they will go out of control. I don't see where the debate got so big about something that can be classified as at most, primal. It is instinctive and if nature says anything, it is nearly immpossible to detour or detain instinct.

Abstinence should most definitely be taught in school. Abstinence does not teach that sex is disgusting, but that it is a wonderful thing that should be reserved for that one person that you will spend the rest of your life with.

Sure -- teach abstinence. Sex IS risky, and it IS special enough to wait at least till you find someone special.

But don't teach abstinence ONLY. We can moralize all we want, but people are in fact going to have sex -- duh ! Many parents are not knowledgeable enough, are too embarassed, or are too disconnected to be a reliable source of information to their children. Schools are the place were all our kids are, and is the best venue in which to disseminate good, non-judgemental, non-moralizing, information.

What kids do with the information will ultimately be up to them; but at least they will have it.

Using the virgin mary is not the best way to teach abstinence.

I remember having these horrible times as a kid when my period was late and I was afraid there was some magical way I'd gotten pregnant by sitting on sperm on a toilet seat or something. Throw in immaculate conception and heck, if you can get pregnant *without even having sex* why stops you from doing it then? If pregnancy can happen anyway, then how is pregnancy a deterrant?

Anyway.

I didn't have sex till I was 19. I had dated the same person for 3 years, it wasn't a bad experience. I'm a grad student now, and I have to say that i've learned something from every relationship, sexual or otherwise, that I've been in, and I would not have wanted to go into a serious relationship or a marriage without that experience. Sure it might be fun to discover stuff with the person you love and marry, but problems that crop up can also kill relationships. And I'd rather kill the not important ones than the *really* important one.

~me

I think one of the most important things thats being missed is that humans are sexual beings. THis is a fact, a way of life. Sure its wrong for kids to be loosing their verginity at 11, 12 and 13, but one thing thats not being taught is that sex is someing special between 2 people, its not just sex. Yea i lost my verginity at 16, but it was because we were in love, not because we needed lust. Long story short, safe sex needs to be taught because we as humans have a sexual nature, but by educating people, on both sides, how it is something special and how to protect yourself, and giving them the facts. If you give someone all the facts, they are not a kid anymore, and they can make the decition for themselves.

I think Mr. Horn is completely out of his element. I don't think Horn can be objective.

Beside that, I also think that the concentration of the show is narrow minded. Why don't we concentrate on teaching responsibility, and self control (self discipline) in addition to every biological and practical knowledge we can give?

I had a full dose of out-dated and misguided sex education. As a home school graduate with a strict Southern Baptist family, I was told that sex is only for production of children (assembly line style), and plans to have me participate in an arranged marriage were in full swing by the time I was 16. I am now 24, planning to graduate college, I have a 3 yr. old daughter who lives with her adoptive parents. Abstinence was drilled in to my head, the key that was left out is that sexual intercourse is fun! Who knew? No-one who talked to me as a teenager. It is extremely important that teenagers as young as 11,12,13 are hearing about safe sex, condoms, birth control. Yes abstinence is the safest route, but sex is enjoyable, that can not be left out. Yes you will want to do it with some one you care about, and yes, it will be hard to wait, but emphasize the pleasure of waiting, not the 'dire' consequences.

I had a full dose of out-dated and misguided sex education. As a home school graduate with a strict Southern Baptist family, I was told that sex is only for production of children (assembly line style), and plans to have me participate in an arranged marriage were in full swing by the time I was 16. I am now 24, planning to graduate college, I have a 3 yr. old daughter who lives with her adoptive parents. Abstinence was drilled in to my head, the key that was left out is that sexual intercourse is fun! Who knew? No-one who talked to me as a teenager. It is extremely important that teenagers as young as 11,12,13 are hearing about safe sex, condoms, birth control. Yes abstinence is the safest route, but sex is enjoyable, that can not be left out. Yes you will want to do it with some one you care about, and yes, it will be hard to wait, but emphasize the pleasure of waiting, not the 'dire' consequences of sex at a young age.

Preventing sexual activity among 11, 12 and 13 year olds should be squarely placed on those responsible for the supervision of those children. Anyone who has been a child knows that sex among children is not only possible but likely without adult supervision.

The Bush administration misstates facts to support their many "health" policies which pander to conservative religious groups.

Does anyone besides me feel like their policies regarding procreation in general most severely punish women???

i appreciate the show you are currently airing (20 june 2004) i agree that abstinence is the best goal for teens. as a childhood victim of rape though, when the choice is removed from your options, what is the message abstinence sends to victims of molestation?

sex education should involve assault awareness, appropriate and innappropriate sexual behavior, and "why" we should wait until having sexual intercourse with another person. i don't hear reasons why teens should not engage in sexual behavior... nor do i hear "why" engaging in sexual behavoir is such a popular trend.

i believe that empowering teens to accept their sexuality and sexual urges, without necessarily acting upon those urges, is a positive way to influence teens and hopefully promote an abstinence program. i'm perpelexed though, why this issue (at all) has to be solved in the public schools... sex education should come from home. so, i suppose the reason for this show and education programs is actually covering up lack of parental responsibility.

jeffrey allen miller, nyc

I grew up attending a Christian school and never really had sexual education besides it is unholy to talk about. Wrong! It definitely needs to be in schools today but in addition to schools maybe somebody should educate parents. Children and their behaviors start in the home why should education start somewhere else?

as a young teenager i think that sex ed is just getiing kids more excited about having sex.

back in the old days kids didn't have sex at the age of 14 because they didn't know it existed well they might have done but they knew enought to know that it wasn't something that they did until they were married people think that society is getting better and more humane what a load of rubbish. we are heading down a one way track to hell because of all this kind of rubbish we are getting worse if we want things to get better things need not might have to be neeeeeeed to be changed back to how they were about 80 years ago.

argue if u want but i know who is right

It is amazing that through the entire discussion, homosexuality was never part of it. How can homosexuals abstain till marriage, when they are not allowed. Oh, yes of course they do not exist!

Oh, sorry I listened for another 20 minutes and finally there was a 2 minute discussion. Why can't it be discussed through out the program?