Give the youths a break!

THE EDITOR: Several persons including some major human rights activists have been giving their input on the abstinence programmes that are being run in schools. They are saying more or less that youths can’t abstain, and that the abstinence programmes don’t make sense because they teach abstinence-only. In response, I would like to say to the individuals who share that view, that they couldn’t be more wrong! To say that the programmes teach abstinence only, and does not provide for those who don’t get that message, is either ignorance or just plain uneducated mouthing off. Abstinence programmes teach that, yes sex does exist, and yes some youths choose to have premarital sex, but while sex may be an enjoyable act, like any other action there are consequences that can be very serious.

They teach that there are many sexually transmitted diseases and viruses (the viruses have no cure) that can be caught by engaging in any type of sexual promiscuousness that does not necessarily involve the actual act of intercourse. They teach that you can’t tell if someone is infected or what they are infected with by simply looking at them. With all of that in mind, the programme teaches you that the safest and only way to absolutely protect yourself against viruses and diseases is to abstain. In my opinion, the only problem is that the adults of this nation have no faith in the youths. They believe that we are sex-crazed, have no self control, and don’t know what we want or what’s best for us. Why should they criticise the efforts of those who have faith in us, because they unfortunately lack same?

NICOLE O’CONNOR
Upper Santa Cruz