Teens abstain from birth control, not sex

Abstinence-only sex ed and limited access to birth control don’t prevent teenagers from having sex? We’re shocked!
Two new studies show that teens who lack contraceptive information and services are at an increased risk of unintended pregnancy and STDs. Also, most teenagers said they choose to tell their parents that they use birth control, but one in five would rather have unprotected sex than use contraception if parental notification were mandatory.
Don’t expect the Bush administration to pay attention to these studies. The federal government is spending nearly $170 million (thankfully less than Bush’s recommended $268 million on abstinence-only education programs in the coming year.
Think that dollar amount isn’t scary enough? Here’s what some of these federally-funded programs are telling teenagers:

Watch what you wear, if you don’t aim to please, don’t aim to tease.
The liberation movement has produced some aggressive girls today, and one of the tough challenges for guys who say no will be the questioning of their manliness.
Because they generally become aroused less easily, females are in a good position to help young men learn balance in relationships by keeping intimacy in perspective.
You hear that, girls? Bush says to keep your legs together.
Contributed by Ann Friedman