Should The United States Increase Funding for Sexual Health Among Teens

Ok I get what you are saying about my plan. But whether the government or states or who ever implements this plan, it's still not realy any argument about my actual harm that teenagers are having sex. http://www.familyfirstaid.org... If you follow this website, all it is basically saying that the United States has the highest percentage of teenagers who have sex before the age of 20. So with the proof that I have given being that Teenagers Are indeed having sex, My harm still remains, as although you addressed my pla, you sort of replied to it as a harm, but this is my actual harm 1. So when it all comes down to it, this round is mainly about harm 3, that abstinence is a no longer effective process for teaching sex in public highschools due to harm #1. My opponent has given me reasons that oppose this belief, but he stated clearly that they were just his recolections over the years. But as we all know in debate actual evidence is required for it to be considered important in the round. So if you take a look at this website http://teenhealth.about.com... You will see that in fact abstinence only programs have been taught lately, and according to this website, some of the principles of these were not all based on fact. In fact they even support my harm when they state clearly word for word that "Abstinence-only programs do not help reduce sexual behavior, teen pregnancy, or STDs transmission in teens. The purpose of sex education is to help reduce the risky behavior and teach how to minimize the risks if sexual behavior occurs. Abstinence-only programs have not been shown to do any of the things that they aim to do. Additionally, because condoms and other contraception are not discussed, teens are continuing to have sex but are not using contraceptives. Abstinence-only programs are not only not helping, but they may be creating a generation of teens who are ignorant of how to protect themselves during sex. Current research shows that, of people who have sex, the vast majority have pre-marital sex. Additionally, abstinence-only programs completely ignore the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual or questioning teens. At some point, most teens will likely chose to have sex with someone. It will be important for them to have the facts and the tools to protect themselves. From the most current research, it does not look like abstinence-only programs can fill this need." So as we see here, these harms cannot clearly be solved by any abstinence program. Teens need an environment in which they can learn safely about sex, which is even quoted word for word in this article also: "Current research shows that, of people who have sex, the vast majority have pre-marital sex. Additionally, abstinence-only programs completely ignore the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual or questioning teens. At some point, most teens will likely chose to have sex with someone. It will be important for them to have the facts and the tools to protect themselves. From the most current research, it does not look like abstinence-only programs can fill this need." I have provided evidence just to show the extent to which my harm is at and just to show you the consequences of not passing this plan. As for Harm 3#, if you just cross apply the previous evidence I gave you, you will see that these teen pregnancies are on the rise due to this lack of information. Now to go onto the attacks that were made: So my opponent has continually brought up the point that though we may provide teens with condoms, they will not use them. But however, with any given plan there is always a sense of doubt. However my plan does not only call for just handing out condoms, it calls for education on sex. No, you cannot be 100% sure that they will always use one, but you can be sure that they know how if the need arises. As for my harm 3 that conservative views are outdated in a modern world. Ok, we need to get realistic about teens these days. They are getting more information from television and the internet about sex than their own parents, and what is the medias mesage about sex : Do it! It's fun! So we know for a fact that teens are recieving these messages and the article I provided earlier about the abstinence only program even stated its self that some of those principles being taught were wrong, and not based on fact. So if we look at this logically, when someone tells you something you know or suspect is wrong? You ignore them. Which is exactly what is happening in schools today! Teens are ignoring these abstinence principles because they are wrong. Now I am not saying that abstinence is wrong, because I think abstinence is great. I am saying that some of the principles being taught about abstinence are wrong, which ultimately causes more confusion in a teenagers brain on the what and how tos of sex. So for my plan, which was for schools to start handing out condoms, and teach about proper usage and also stop implementing abstinence as the only way, we can see that this will be a positive step in solving all of these harms that I have presented. No, it will not happen over night, but I believe with common sense and the right toools, teens wil be able to make better decisions about pre-marital sex. I thank you for my time, and I have had fun debating you!(: