Abstinence Only?

Maybe it's me, but...

Why aren't "conservatives" able to admit when they are wrong? The truth is just in front of their faces, yet they hold fast to ideas that don't hold up.

It was recently reported that teen pregnancy rates have risen to levels higher than they have ever been in US History. So is it possible that the "abstinence only" program doesn't work?

Let's be clear, when teen pregnancy rates rise, so does the number of abortions. Isn't that what pro-life conservatives are trying to prevent? I hate to state the obvious here, but when the obvious is standing in front of you and you refuse to acknowledge it, maybe it needs to be stated.

The conservative right wants to outlaw abortion, but they also want to remove all other options as well. No sex education, no easy access to birth control. So where does that leave our young people? Unaware, uneducated and probably pregnant without any viable option.

If you are adult reading this, or more to the point, an honest-with-yourself adult reading this, you know that "abstinence only" has never worked.

During the Clinton administration my teenagers had sex education classes in school. This did not mean that their high school taught them to have sex. It meant that they were taught about safe sex, and the consequences that arise from unprotected sex. Some of which can be deadly. They were able to go health class and talk to advisor, and they were able to get condoms for free. I supported this effort in their school - but more importantly, we made certain that open discussion took place at home. We put our comfort or embarrassment aside in favor of what was far more important - our children's lives.

I can not claim to be purely pro-choice. For me, as a woman, abortion is a choice I could not make. But like anything else, I don't think it's for me to decide what is just and right for anyone else but me. I have and will continue to vote for law-makers who believe in the right to choose, and not just about abortion but for all rights. Since when does one make the choice for all?

As a result of our attitude both of our children, one daughter and one son, were well above the national average when they had their first sexual experience. They learned where they should learn - at home and at school. They did not learn from other kids. There was no great mystery for them regarding sex. They have extremely healthy attitudes about sex. And for the record, neither of them have turned into promiscuous adults. They both applaude our decision to be straight-forward with them and our desire to encourage other parents to do the same.

I can't say that some of those discussions were easy. Sometimes I felt myself squirming but knew I had to be honest. It was important to use my own mistakes as a learning example. As a parent, we always want to protect our children. That has nothing to do with what side of the table we are on politically. It's parenthood and we need to teach our kids - life turns on dime.

Abortion is a church issue, not a presidential or judicial issue. And nothing could be more personal.

Shouldn't it be about protecting our children? How do we protect them? Educate them. Who better to open a free dialog with them if not us, their parents?

It's high time that conservatives recognize that two plus two still equals four.