Abstinence Programs

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I literally have no clue how to establish an abstinence program. We WERE using the Draw the Line/Respect the Line program but apparently they want $5,000-$10,000 for training of new staff members to teach the program :eek: my Superintendent and I just laughed and laughed when we saw that! :yes: But now I'm tasked with finding a new program and I don't know where to start! Do y'all use a specific program? Are you responsible for teaching it? If so, do you do your own thing or are there specific guidelines you're supposed to follow? I have so many questions.... :nurse:

Specializes in School nursing.

Sex education is controversial in many places, unfortunately. I'm lucky to live in a state and work in a school that supports comprehensive sex education. Which talks about abstinence as the healthiest option a student can choose - and many do choose it, actually, when presented facts (just over 50%!). And I also taught about how abstinence is still a choice even after a person has had sex. But if a student is having sex, well, facts also help so that student can stay healthy.

The curriculum I use has a great exercise using a decision making model. I give kids a lower risk scenario and use this model to help them come up up with three possible choices to make, we look at the pros and cons or each choice and use them to make a decision. And I tell the student no decision is "right or wrong" or "good or bad" but instead, each decision will have consequences, positive and/or negative, and that they need to consider them and be willing to accept them when making a choice. This applies to relationships, but also to so many things in life.

I once had a great discussion on abstinence-only vs. comprehensive sex education, which interesting enough, want the same thing. For students to pick the healthiest choice for them, which in both programs, is abstinence :).

Are you sure the school curriculum is really "fact based"? The religious "crisis pregnancy centers" are famous for providing, ummm, let's say, "inaccurate" information (aka "lies") about the "dangers" of abortion in order to scare people into continuing pregnancies.

While I understand the bias crisis pregnancy centers have, I do not see where the abortion comes into play??? Yes, I realize that is part of their teaching for those who choose to go there for their services, but if they were coming to a school to teach an abstinence only program, I don't see why they would need to bring up abortion to a bunch of school aged children. Unless that was the point you were making. That they would come in with the pretense of teaching an age appropriate, abstinence only course but then switch it up and try their best to impose their religious beliefs about abortion on the kids. However, I don't feel that is what Peacockblue was suggesting I do. Whether we are a private, public, or charter school, I still have to have my board approve any curriculum that we teach. Peacock was simply suggesting what has worked for them in their area.

I'm not sure why we decided to take the abortion scenic route, since that's not what this post was about. Clearly that is an option for some and it isn't for others. What your position on that topic is matters not to me nor my administration. I also don't see the relevance it has to minors in school. Can you imagine the feedback we'd get if parents knew we wanted to teach their kids about abortion?! DO. NOT. WANT. :no:

So I've got wonder what they're telling kids in their "abstinence only sex ed" curriculum they offer in schools.

Most likely, "Hey kids. Don't have sex until you're older. Here are some risks that are involved..." I grew up in Texas and remember having a course in my elementary school (I was in 5th grade at the time) and I can GUARANTEE they mentioned NOTHING about abortions.

Specializes in School nursing.

Most likely, "Hey kids. Don't have sex until you're older. Here are some risks that are involved..." I grew up in Texas and remember having a course in my elementary school (I was in 5th grade at the time) and I can GUARANTEE they mentioned NOTHING about abortions.

Heck, my comprehensive sex education curriculum does not include any lessons mentioning abortions. I will talk about it as an legal option some people choose to end a pregnancy if asked (fact), but the curriculum is geared toward pregnancy prevention, not pregnancy treatment, so to speak.

Unless that was the point you were making. That they would come in with the pretense of teaching an age appropriate, abstinence only course but then switch it up and try their best to impose their religious beliefs about abortion on the kids.

Yes, that was my point, and that they well might provide information that is not medically, scientifically accurate or accepted.

Specializes in IMC, school nursing.
Are you sure the school curriculum is really "fact based"? The religious "crisis pregnancy centers" are famous for providing, ummm, let's say, "inaccurate" information (aka "lies") about the "dangers" of abortion in order to scare people into continuing pregnancies.

Why bring this in here? This is an educations based question and you want to insert your political views. Guess what? PP isn't exactly accurate either, so both sides play the same game. Can we keep it on topic?

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