This and the theory of Creationism go hand in hand. Typical backward Ohio 19th century philosophy at work. Besides everyone knows the world is flat.

"...If only we could get the illegals and the ghetto dwellers to listen to this message of abstinence.

Yeah, like that'll really happen..."


and if you think that suburban kids stay virginal because they live in the suburbs, then I've got some swamp land I'd like to sell ya.

Abstinence programs are garbage.

http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN23459576

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/13/AR2007041301003.html

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9504871/

@donny: You are correct, but in the suburbs, kids use protection more often. Rich kids knowwhat they have to lose. Poor kids have nothing to lose.

Like my Grampa told me....don't lather if you're not going to shave but if you do shave....wear your bootie.

Hopefully, they'll make a stop @ Canton City Schools. . .

Why would the ABJ choose to have a comment board up for a story as sensitive as this?

''If we try to get kids to stay away from . . . drugs, alcohol and dating violence, why wouldn't we also do it with premarital sex?'' she asked.

Great question, Cheryl.

So tell me, is the alcoholism and drug use rate among kids 0%? I don't have any stats but something tells me it's not. Ergo telling kids "you're not supposed to do this" is no guarantee of success.

Find me a method that's 100% effective in keeping kids from having sex and I'll jump on the abstinence-only bandwagon.

No one - not even me - argues that abstinence is the absolute best choice for kids. No one - not even me - has ever argued that any method of birth control is as effective as abstinence for preventing teen pregnancy or STDs. I have no problem with teaching abstinence...it's that "only" part that has me up in arms.

When I had sex ed, they taught us exactly what Biddle and her compatriots are preaching - abstinence is the only sure-fire way to go if you don't want to be a teenage parent and you shouldn't be having sex until you're ready. But they also taught us that if you're going to have sex you need to use protection.

Until we live in a society where kids do what they're supposed to and never make mistake, abstinence-only education is going to fail, pure and simple.

If priests and nuns can't abstain, how do they expect anyone else to?

I read the comments first and the serious ones point out the problems. Abstain is more of a value decision for those who abide with it and more power to them, they will be happy for their decision. Hopefully, this group will let it be known that being a virgin is not unpopular. But as one writer said, total sex ed is important and should be taught in schools and it is up to the individual to make their own choices.
Signed, Retired Sex and Drug Educator.

I'm glad to see that this program is still around. I was a member when I was in high school in the late 90s. It is good to have like-minded peers who share your values.

Keep up the good work. Abstaining from sex helps kids remain kids longer. Pre-marital sex complicates life and exposes participants to STDs and teen pregnancy. Just enjoy being a carefree teenager.

All I can say is I could have saved myself alot of heartache and made much better choices that would have affected my entire life (and other's lives as well) had I abstained.

To give your virginity to that one special person on your wedding night, what a wonderful gift. I wish I had been able to do that.

It's easy to give in to peer pressure or to your desires. It takes a person of strength and real character to respect yourself enough to say no.

I think too many people are short sighted and don't see the long term reward for waiting and they don't realize the price of sex without marriage until it's too late.

@spd3333: Because the ABJ would like to see this position ridiculed. So they open it up.

Now, if it is a story about how a group of blacks beat the hell out of some whites for some reason, then we can't have a discussion on the subject. Same reason.

It’s a shame abstinence isn’t on president, senators, representatives, bureaucrats, Chinese, Foreign and Domestic Investors and Stockholders COPYRIGHT!

They post ALL stories.

Abstinence makes the heart grow fonder. . .

The Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairey should contribute to this feel good story. Bottom line is the stength of character of each individual. Having sex should not be associated with drugs and drinking alcohol.

Slovensko...there must be a whole bunch of fond hearts in jail according to your wise statement.

Wow, here's a story about some kids who want to encourage others to abstain, and so many posters are mocking their program.

Yes, it's true many kids won't abstain, but can't we encourage those kids who do want to abstain? I remember being a young girl who did not want to become sexually active, but even back in the 70s I found few peers to support that decision. Now-a-days, even adults don't offer these kids any support.

Abstinence programs don't mean kids don't get other information. However, they are a Godsend for kids who want "permission" from their culture to remain virgins.

I am a strong believer that there must be balance in sex ed. By exposing youngsters to an abstinence only barrage of information leaves them unprepared for the reality that there are teenages having intercourse.

If we talk about how important it is to educate youth than how can we justify abstinence only programs. It is like showing someone the gas and brake pedals in a car but not telling them about turn signals or seatbelts. Without the entire picture, it is even more difficult to make educated decisions.

I agree with keats5 that if/when young people decide they are not yet ready to be sexually active they need to have support for peers and adults. BUT that decision should not be based on misinformation or a lack of information.

Good going kids. May you ALL succede in the CHOICE that you made. If any of you kids are reading this site, pay no attention to the ignorant bigots that want you to fail. If you do find that you cannot wait, please use condoms. You do not want something that soap cannot wash off, and (to the guys) you do not want to pay half of your paycheck to childsupport for at least 18 years, will be 24 years if they decide to go to college.

keats5 says:
Abstinence programs don't mean kids don't get other information.

The program highlighted in this article begs to differ.

So what do members of the program say about having sex with protection?

''I don't believe in birth control,'' said a determined Ashley. ''I believe in self-control.''

MDW, nice twist there. Just a little lame though. Ashley had to learn about birth control somewhere. How else could she have stated in her comment that she "CHOOSES" self control over artificial birth control? When you look at the facts abstinence is 100%. No artificial birth control method is. Look, just because the majority of people have little or no self control does not mean that we should not "try" and teach it to our children. Please, come up with a better arguement for why you are against teens that are waiting until they are ready, and choosing their mates wisely.LOL

Grad Student,

I mean no disrespect, but have you took her class? What is misinforming about abstinence being 100% safe? If you do not do it, then you will not have a baby, or get a STD. Artificial birth control is not. There is too much room for error. Condoms break or have holes, implants in arm quit working before it should have, forgot to take the pill and so on it goes.
Correct me if I am wrong, but when I read your second paragraph, I got the impression that you want sex ed class to become p.o.r.n.o 101 class. So now you want our schools to teach our children how to "drive" it home now.
One more point before I go is....
How do you know that she/they did not have a sex ed class? We should not make comments based on misinformation or a lack of information. Thank you and have a good evening.

Most schools incorporate Sex Ed in their health education classes in which all students are required to take. During these classes the majority of teachers do teach safe sex. We all know that students learn from each other and we all learn in different ways. If the students are already being taught safe sex as part of their sex education class what is wrong bringing in a group that teaches abstinence that give students a positive message. If this presentation helps one student to make better choices in their life and save themself for marriage I think it is well worth the effort.

Kids know that there are condoms and pills and things like that but they need to be reminded that it is okay and cool to make the right decision even in tough circumstances.

Great to see some teenagers have these values. Not all do though, and that's why only teaching abstinence is not a realistic answer to teen pregnancy.

Abstinence is BS. I'd rather have kids listen to Planned Parenthood where they get FACT-based, medically accurate sex ed info. What about rape? Girls can take EC to prevent a pregnancy after one but bet that's not covered in this puritan class, please....

Thank you so much for this article. I do not believe in adultery or fornication.

Some kids will get the abstinence message and take it on through to marriage. Some won't. So it shouldn't be the only kind of education they get. Give them every option, educational and otherwise, to make up their minds. If their families are behind them 100 percent, there's a much better chance they won't end up barefoot and pregnant at 16.

I find it ironic that the program CATS can be taken one step further for an acronym of the female anatomy!

@ sloveski, the thugs in the city of Canton will shoot these people if they bring this education to Canton, they do not want education.

I wish they would of had this education when i was a youngster, I lost my virginity early like 7.

Using the words "spread" and "abstinence" in the same sentence is just plain funny.

So why not wait until marraige? Whats the rush? Sex is wonderful...no doubt. But then you have all that extra luggage to bring to the table...who wants that? All for a few minutes of pleasure? Save it for one person..it may not be simple, but there will be no regrets later.

I wish these children luck in their efforts.

I remained abstinent as a young teenager. It certainly wasn't my choice, and boy did I fight it every bit of the way!

SLovensko: I always thought abstinence made the #$%@ grow harder.

Nancy D,

The article is not about rape. I thought you were Pro-choice. Why are you against an what these teens are CHOOSING to do right now? Oh I know, it is becuase it is not the choice that "YOU" would make for them. You have become the "MONSTER" that you set out to fight. Nice job on trying to pervert the truth of this article though. NOT!!! LOL

OhioNewsHound said: "Some kids will get the abstinence message and take it on through to marriage."

Exactly. Some will. Some won't. If this program saves even one teenager from dealing with the consequences of making the mistake of a lifetime, isn't it worth it?

To all of you nay-sayers who state the program is BS, or that it's a waste of time, or that it's unrealistic - I say you're wrong. No help program will have 100% participation. Look at AA, MADD, Gamblers Anonymous, or any other program. You have success stories and backsliders. But non-participation and backsliding doesn't negate the good that comes from them. Same thing with this abstinence program. All we can do is offer the information and support, and hope for the best. It's success is tough to measure, but for every kid who's saved from experiencing the devastation and humiliation of disease and/or unwanted pregnancy, the effort is well worth it.

We should be lending support to the program instead of perpetuating a defeatist attitude.

Jon,

I agree with you on the first part of your post, but please read OneLuckyGuy's post. One would have to be plain ignorant to think that these kids have not heard about safe sex in health class or Sex Ed class. If an adult is against this class, it is because they are afraid these kids will accomplish what they say cannot be done. They will prove that a person can have self control on who they have relations with and who they fall in love with, something the gay mafia does not want us to think that it can be done. Why, because that is one of the messages of thier agenda, "A person cannot control who they are with."
Or the adult is against this program because of their bigotry against religion, no matter how much it (the idea of the program, not religion) would benefit a person or society.

"What is misinforming about abstinence being 100% safe?"

I'm not talking about the problems with abstinence. I'm talking about the problems with ABSTIENCE ONLY sexual education programs. Saying abstience is the ONLY way someone should approach sexuality is not providing the entire picture.

"I got the impression that you want sex ed class to become p.o.r.n.o 101 class."

umm, I'm attempting to determine how you got that impression. I'm not advocating that children/youngsters be taught how to have sex, just informed of the risks, roles and responsibilities associated with the decision to have it. Essentially, how to effectivly make use of the tools available to them: their voice to say no, the pharmacy/local health orgs for contraceptives and/or testing and their parents/pastors/counslers for advice...

The problem isn't providing information about abstience. The problem is and will remain that programs which ONLY inform people about abstience do not educated. What they do is provide ONE view on sexuality instead of saying here are options...

I think it would be very presumptive to say children/youngsters in this area are not engaging in sexual behaviors. In reality, if they are going to do it, don't you think they should have as much information as possible on how to keep themselves safe?

@Grad Student
"In reality, if they are going to do it, don't you think they should have as much information as possible on how to keep themselves safe?"

They should, and it's available to them. However, it's not in the best interest of this program to defeat their own purpose with ifs and buts.

For example, if I operate a group that says the best way to avoid speeding tickets is to obey the speed limit, how effective would my message be if I ended my speech with, "but, if you're going to speed, get a radar detector."

Advocacy groups like this one have to be somewhat single minded so as to impact the people they can impact. Giving an alternative doesn't promote abstinence, it recommends it.

Do you think Ashley's mom is Cindy George? That would explain her stance....

I think its a great program.If kids want to try to abide by it,more power to them.
Now,I think the education should be,to those who are older and active sexually,and not married,lets try a condom every once in a while.Instead of going on welfare and having us pay for your kids since you didnt use the condom!!

WOW Yankeescot.
Takes a REAL big person to bash the appearance of two 16 year olds! Feel better about yourself now?
Hope your ignorant post gets deleted.

@ Jenkins

I feel better that I'm not you living in a valium induced stupor in Hudson.

Do you think those two kids aren't getting their chops busted right now by their fellow students for having their picture put in the paper? Or are you that naive?

A sense of humor is a great thing-I suggest you get yourself one.

Yankeescot-
OH! Was that your sad attempt at humor at the expense of two 16 year olds?
PATHETIC!
What are you, 12 years old?
You are a whimp!

@ Jenkins

Pathetic was you bashing the mob victims in Firestone Park-so how long ago did your hubby leave you? Better hope he doesn't lose his job & your alimony stops. Then you might have to live in Stow AND get a job! OH NO!!

Nothing but love for ya, Jenkins!

Certainly don't need or want your love yankeescot.

An adult (assuming you are?) making fun of the appearance of two 16 year olds is deplorable.

Especially two who are trying to do the right thing.

Grow up Yankeescot.

Jenkins, what I am mocking is the whole idea that just saying you are saving yourself for marriage will work. I have known plenty of folk who have proclaimed same only to get pregnant out of wedlock. They though using protection was a sin.

Additionally, when the Apostle Paul wrote his letters to the church condemning premarital sex, people were getting married when they were hitting puberty. Seeing as how people are in their 20's & 30's when they are getting married, it is completely unrealistic to deny human nature.

So Ms. Holier than thou, did you save yourself? That is what I thought.

You are one to talk Jenkins-looking down on those attack victims in Firestone park because of the part of town they live in.

I also love how you always side step the questions I ask you-truth hurts, doesnt it? Go pop some more prozac & go watch Oprah.

Yankeescot-

What relevant question have you asked?

Anyone who is so insignificant, who feels the need to ridicule 16 year olds and their appearance while you hide behind your computer does not deserve to be acknowledged other than to be called out for being a jerk.

If you cant read in your tranq induced stupor, that isnt my fault.

So you deny mocking the folks in Firestone Park, hypocrite? And you don't think these kids classmates are all over them about their apprearance in the ABJ? Well, Jenkins? Let's hear it.

Jenkins-dodging again I see-if life is that upsetting to you, please get in your Volvo & go directly to the Y Bridge.

So you are no better than the KIDS who might make fun of them?
Can you not see the difference?
Maybe you are not an adult. I forgot, school is out. My apologies to you if you are in fact a middle school student.

Besides, being a hypocrite would be if I made fun of 16 year olds.
You will learn the meaning of that word next year in 9th grade.

If these kids are happy with the program, then more power to them. It's nice to see kids making grown up decisions.

However, just because they think teaching abstinence in our schools is the best thing, doesn't necessarily mean that it is. No matter how hard you push the no sex thing, there is going to be the select few kids that do, and isn't it important to make sure they know about condoms and birth control and etc?

Also, I remember this CATS group coming to my school and a bunch of the girls signing up and getting those promise rings. I also remember seeing said girls passed out cold in the middle of some ones front yard with no pants on because of all the Mad Dog. My thoughts are this- Good for the kids who benefit from the program, and show a good example, but don't picture these kids as "pure." You'd be really surprised.

Jenkins-I have a job-unlike you, who is a kept woman. Just go ahead & throw up your smoke screen, hypocrite.

BTW, I base my comments on my experiences with groups like these. They will be teased my their peers. Those who are most proud of their status as virgins usually do it as a self defense mechanism. I just call them as I see them. Scream & obfuscate all you want-it will just show your ignorance on the subject.

Well looky there.
Apparently I'm not the only one who found it offensive.
Post removed. Thank you.

and Yankeescot-
You know nothing about me. You do not even know if I am a man or a woman.
As far as you know, I may as well be a 15 year old boy who just schooled you. Or a 12 year old girl who has more sense than you. And maturity.

Yes, teach abstinence to young people!!! Yes, teach condom use to young people!!! Above all teach responsibility to young people and even above that, if you are a parent...be involved in the life that you brought into this world. Most of the time, troubled children come from troubled homes, and troubled parents. Who cares if it is abstinence or birth-control.....it is all about responsibility....now....git'er done.

And yankeescot,
If you do have a job, you had better be spending more time doing your JOB instead of being on here making fun of 16 year kids and arguing with me.
Don't let your boss catch you!

Yankescot, re: "Do you think Ashley's mom is Cindy George? That would explain her stance...."


I know Ashley personally and her mom is not Cindy George.

Neo re: "I find it ironic that the program CATS can be taken one step further for an acronym of the female anatomy!"

CATS is an acronym for "Concerned About Teen Sexuality"