C. Everett Koop on Abstinence-Only Sex Education

[JMMoosey]

Well said, Dr. Koop! Of course the effectiveness of condoms is only as effective as the person who uses them!

[thepixieful]

The teen population is usually broke without lunch money, they should have teen clinic day where they at least get to see a condom.....and give the condoms to the kids that are already doing the act...and tell them hey just because you started you don't have to, grades are more important.

[mkl62]

10-7-2009. He's got a lot of glee at 93. Happy Birthday, Dr. Koop.

[Psycho9263]

It is ironic to see how ignorant the public is when it comes to STDs.A person can have sex with a m/f who is infected with syphilis in the early stage which is visibly undetectable. In most cases,a painless sore which will seem like it healed.The second to latent stage can appear 30 years later and it is irreversible and is devestating and very often tragic.Death from incurable heart disease,blindness and damage to the brain and ultimately death.Only a blood test(STS)can detect the early stage.

[NotAnotherGeneration]

It's one thing to challenge youth to wait for a while on sexual activity, but scaring the hell out of them and telling them a condom is a provision for sin is irresponsible! If you want the information that your church won't tell you about premarital sex in the Bible go to the site below.

tinyurl com/8r8ugn

[alfredunhill]

I think he's well spoken, smart, very informed and responsible.

[Zegon976]

The best way to prevent unwanted pregnancy...

Put it in her mouth

[vicastorini]

What are you talking about? The best ways to prevent disease (in order of effectiveness) are: Abstinence. Monogamy. Condoms. How does that not make sense? He's not talking about marriage or sexual orientation. He's talking about disease prevention.

[rabbit092]

no the problem with abstinence only is that it does not address sex between same sex partners. Like dental dams for lesbians. it also does not stipulate that other forms of contraception do not prevent transmission of STIs. And how many teens do you know actually wait to have sex until they are in a long term, committed relationship? High school kids think all of their relationships are long term. Anstinence only preaches marriage and a religion fueled agenda. Palin's 17 yr old is pregnant!

[vicastorini]

What he says is valid no matter your sexual orientation. The only way to prevent infection is through abstinence. Teenagers want to have sex, but that doesn't change the fact that sex is dangerous. He would be lying if he said that condoms (or dental dams) are 100% safe, but he's right--they're only as safe as the user is smart. Abstinence is the only way to guarantee you stay STD and pregnacy free. This isn't political--this is fact.

[rabbit092]

And in a perfect world that would work, but astinence only does not work, studies have been published all over the country to that effect. When you say the only way to prevent infection is abstinence, you are making my point. Kids are left with the impression that they run a great risk of infection if they have sex regardless of what protection they use. So they often forego a condom, and that is why you see high teen pregnancy rates in areas that use only abstinence sex ed.

[rabbit092]

So, he says his job is mecidal, and then he tells teens about their MORAL obligation to abstain until marriage? What about gay kids, and kids who have no intention of marrying? What about educating kids about contraceptives other than condoms, and that they may prevent pregnancy, but not STI? Any respobnible doctor with any semblance of impartiality will tell you that abstinence only does not work, is not working, and will continue to not work.

[TFarache]

What advice would you give an adult who was sexually attracted to an underage teen, or vice versa?

[periwink]

Naturally, he is careful with his words, as well as intelligent and covers all his bases...in reference to this topic.

[Loot1377]

BOO