In re abstinance-only education and STDs - I remember reading or hearing somewhere that a lot of these programs emphasize that condoms don't work, and so people coming out of them don't use condoms. As a result, higher pregnancy and STD rates. But my memory is vague ....

I remember reading or hearing somewhere that a lot of these programs emphasize that condoms don't work,

Yeah, that's true. Some of those programs really drill that point home.

I dunno why - maybe this is the same insane troll logic that makes some people want there to be STDs, because they will discourage people from having sex outside of marriage.

Apparently some programs being used in some Texas school districts cite a 30% failure rate for condoms (which of course would STILL be better than not using anything, but is grossly untrue).

I'm not sure they even want to discourage sex outside of marriage, so much as make sure that the people who do it "get what they deserve".

But it's just possible that I have some blinding rage issues on this front.

Amych is me.

Some of those abstinence only programs are whack as hell. Some of them get even basic genetics wrong. A great report on them as they are used nationwide was done by Rep. Henry Waxman out of California. I used the report for a research paper I did. [link]

Also interesting? Just under a year after the highest amount of federal funding went out to abstinence-only programs, the US saw a rise in the teen pregnancy rate for the first time in like 20 years.

I have anger about this, but my rage has been redirected to those who want to ban Gardasil because it promotes promiscuity.

I'm not sure they even want to discourage sex outside of marriage, so much as make sure that the people who do it "get what they deserve".

I think someone here theorized they don't really care about reducing teen pregnancy, as pregnant teens (who've been through a religious abstinence program) are likely to get married and produce more offspring for their church. (And yes, a lot of public school abstinence programs are explicitly religious.)

those who want to ban Gardasil because it promotes promiscuity.

Yeah, those people suck mightily.

Are they still around? (I mean, arguing this?)

I have anger about this, but my rage has been redirected to those who want to ban Gardasil because it promotes promiscuity.

My rage reserves are deep enough to cover both.

Oh yeah. And, not surprisingly, in the same parts of the country where they teach abstinence only! My god, the stupid, it burns. And drowns, if I'm near liash's work.