flamingdog

Abstinence is a bullshit philosophy from the start. It all stems from the no pre-marital sex hegemony preached by Christians. While there might be sound societal reasons for that, there's no point burying one's head in the sand and pretending that kids aren't going out and discovering the secrets of the world for themselves.

The thing I think we're missing most in our society is education about the emotional aspects of sex. Our media seems to promote and inculcate with the notion that sex is a purely physical reaction, like a sneeze. In young kids, this creates a cycle of guilt who are basically getting in over their heads, way too early.

The whole biblical attitude to sex is counter-productive. It makes you feel guilty for having natural desires, it makes you feel guilty for acting on them - or rather being unable to hold yourself back - and then it makes you feel guilty about the consequences.

I do think it's unfortunate that teens have the level of promiscuity that they do. I'd prefer to see them educated in the dangers and given access to birth control early to prevent early pregnancy and STDs. That's the cure.