jillian
Princess
Its not that simple.
Misconceptions about sex and AIDS are widespread in Africa.
In parts of Africa, it is widely believed that having sex with a virgin rids oneself of the HIV virus. The next leader of the ANC and thus President of South Africa stated not to long ago that one could shower and expunge the virus from your body.
In many of these countries, the girls believe this to be the case as well. And in dirt poor countries, condoms can be expensive. So by educating that abstinence is the best way to not catch HIV, you present another option to people in dealing with a disease that is utterly rampant.
To me, those opposing the teaching of abstinence are as ideologically rigid as those who say it is the only option. IMHO, they are putting their own morality ahead of saving lives.
I was responding to Shattered's particular point which is that she doesn't want to pay for the babies of girls who get knocked up.
Now, to address your point... I don't think I ever said that abstinence shouldn't be taught as the most effective means of avoiding disease. But the cost of a condom is certainly no reason to tell them it's the ONLY way.
Nor do I believe for a second that cost is the reason for not teaching people safe sex.
Did you know that one of the first Executive Orders that Bush signed after he became president was to take away funding from any organization that worked outside of this country and taught about reproductive choice ... even as ONE OPTION among many.
And I'm familiar with the misconceptions about AIDS in Africa. There are even some with a racial component.
Either way, education seems to be key, doesn't it? Not partial education. Not education which comports with some Christian Dogma... but full, complete, honest education.