A recent survey showed that 16 percent of respondents said their sex education was ineffective.
“My sex education was provided by the school by a religion-based organization. In the class they taught nothing about the use of condoms or birth control, but instead only taught abstinence,” said 17 year old Ian Young.
He continued, saying, “Regardless of people’s religious view points, prevention of teen pregnancies and the spread of STDs should be taught by teaching teens about methods of which to prevent them along with abstaining from sex.”
A survey about sex education revealed that 60 percent of respondents said they wish they would have learned about the costs of parenting. Fifty-four percent said they wish they would have learned where to get birth control.
The online survey polled 50 people.
Thirty-eight percent of participants are high-schoolers, 49 percent are college students, and eight respondents are out of school.
While 74 percent said they were taught about abstinence, only 17 of them said they were told how to get birth control.
“I'm 16. I became pregnant at 15. Why? Because we simply thought ‘pulling out’ was good enough. We heard about STI's, but no one ever taught us about pregnancy,” said high school junior Emily Kate.
Another respondent said, “I can say for sure that the sex education in my adolescent education was entirely inadequate.”
Planned Parenthood recently lost federal funding after a vote of 240-185 by the House of Representatives.
According to ABC News, Planned Parenthood has been prohibited from using federal funds to perform abortions. However, the amendment to that bill “takes away the money they use to provide for family planning, birth control, medical and preventive services.”
According to the survey, 51 percent of respondents said the Planned Parenthood funding cut is an awful idea.
Of the 50 respondents, 30 said they think the funding cut will cause an increase in teen pregnancy.
One participant, Allyson Cooper, 20, said, “Many teens find it difficult or even impossible to talk to their parents or other adults about their sex lives. Planned Parenthood grants these teens confidentiality and allows them to have sex SAFELY at a very low cost, then helps them out if something goes wrong.
“Without this option, many teens wouldn't feel that they had any other way to get birth control. And let's face it...people have sex.”
She continued, “I believe that if they don't have proper contraception, they're going to do it anyway, and some will get pregnant. Planned Parenthood is simply keeping them protected.”
Many other respondents expressed similar opinions. One college student remarked, “Many young sexually active girls rely on Planned Parenthood for birth control. When that source is removed or limited, I fear many girls will stop using birth control instead of approaching their parents/guardians or physicians for another means to get it.”
Another respondent added that “with funding getting cut, teens that need counseling due to abortion, adoption, pregnancy, or even rape may not be able to get it.”
“Planned Parenthood is an extremely important part in so many women's lives and health, and I think the bill to cut funding is absolutely ridiculous and needs to be stopped,” said a 19 year old participant.
A 20 year old respondent raised a different issue. She said, “I believe that the budget cuts will cause more of a problem when it comes to STDs that go untreated.”
Some respondents offered solutions to teen pregnancy. One respondent suggested putting condom machines free of charge in all schools.
Another participant recommended that schools “speak more about having sex than preventing it.”
A 16 year old high school freshman concluded, “There is already an increase in teen pregnancy lately, if you want to stop it you need to offer education and teens trust Planned Parenthood. Teens receive better sex ed. from the internet and clinics than they do school. All teens should have this resource.”
