Texas leads the nation in spending on abstinence-only education

Pavel Lishin, says:

I'll have faith in the War on Drugs before I have faith in the War on Teenage Sex-drive.

AnnMarie Wilson, says:

Agreed.

Teen pregnancies are up. Why? Lack of sex education and availability to birth control.

It's a documented fact that those that do the 'purity pledge' have a higher rate of premarital sex then others?

Give it a rest.

Provide real education, real access to birth control.... let's deal with reality.

Scott Doyle, says:

Who wants to invest in <a href="http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2008/jun/18/new-product-wednesday-dallas-area-stores-health-co/#c28128">a start-up</a>?

Brett Hoerner, says:

"*...let's deal with reality.*"

Reality is hard, let's go <a href="http://www.pegasusnews.com/places/northpark-center/">shopping</a>!

Jason Rice, says:

"Can you imagine being a parent and having your child come home and tell you all the ways they learned in school that you can (have sex)?" said Republican state Rep. Rob Eissler

Um, let's take one level of this at a time:

1) Can you imagine having your child telling you they learned anything about sex?

If you can answer "yes" then your kids are not at risk because you expect to head this off at the pass by acting as a responsible parent.

2) Can you imagine your child actually learning everything they need to know about sex at school?

If you answered "yes" then you are definitely in for a rude awakening and voted for the abstinence bill to avoid having "the talk" or want the state to raise your kids for you.

Those of you answering yes to #2, please contact me so I can put you on my "Don't date these morons' kids" list for my guys. I don't want friggin' imbeciles for grandchildren or even in-laws and I don't want them before my kids have college degrees.

Chris Olson, says:

Well, we had that problem with Latino teen pregnancy didn't we. This can't be too shocking.

But I agree very much with Mr. Rice. Just talk to your stupid kid, esp when people have issues with what others tell them about this and how they go about it.

And for good measure. <embed allowfullscreen="true" height="360" scriptaccess="always" src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:cms:item:southparkstudios.com:152879:" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" wmode="window">

Pavel Lishin, says:

"Can you imagine being a parent and having your child come home and tell you all the ways they learned in school that you can (have sex)?"

Yeah. I can see it now. "Daddy, daddy, today we learned the Reverse Cowgirl!"

"Great, honey - back in my day, we didn't learn that 'til elementary!"

Jason Rice, says:

Pavel, the idea of you talking to your kids about the Kama Sutra is nothing compared to the epic leap of surreal horror of you having kids to begin with.

Wow, I think the Earth stopped for a second there.

But in that vein, I offer a Lego Visual Aid in such event.

What a planet.

Pavel Lishin, says:

I went to a party my mom hosted this weekend. As it turns out, I was the closest age-wise to a pair of 10 year old girls, so it was up to me to entertain them.

I was awkward enough to try to explain why adults like wine and beer when it tastes horrible. I cannot imagine having a "sex talk" with any kids I might possibly have, and in fact the whole experience taught me that children are something I should have later in life. Much later. Perhaps by a surrogate mother. And father. And several nannies. In another country from the one I live in. Oh god, I have to buy more condoms, do not want kids yet.

Scott Doyle, says:

I went to a party my mom hosted this weekend.

Hopefully other people lolled heartily at this, too.

Not to mention, Pavel entertains 10 y/o girls at parties? Explaining the perks of alcohol to them while imagining sex talk? Has nobody called the authorities yet?

Jason Rice, says:

Oh dang. Yep ScoDO. I'm friggin' petrified by that image. Ok, the only thing making it obvious that I'm not comatose is the ongoing chortling, but otherwise I'm rendered useless.

Relax Pavel, kid proximity is usually the most effective form of birth control - for guys.

And remote parenting is the wave of the future. Imagine how much cheaper it'd be to outsource the whole mess to Bangalore or some wacko backwards republic. Seriously, kid, puberty, car, college and all for probably just about what a new sedan would cost. The UN is already doing it with their allotment of your tax dollars, you might as well revel in it.

AnnMarie Wilson, says:

There's an excellent reason why I've been a member of zero population organizations since my early 20's. (I'm in my early 50's now - lets have a round of applause for AARP discounts please!)

<b>Population Connection</b> http://www.zpg.org/

Jason Rice, says:

Hmm, Well Alex, I guess that little red line must be a spell chekc? [sic]

Yep, looks that way. What a neat, albeit heretofore ignored, feature.

Ashley Lyell, says:

Maybe it's just me, but I would probably let Pavel watch my (purely fictional) child. Provided he's not around Doyle and hasn't been drinking. Ask me again if I ever actually decide to procreate though.

Pavel Lishin, says:

Ashley, I am honored, flattered and shocked.

Mostly shocked.

Ashley Lyell, says:

I do what I can.

Also, Jason, kid proximity is quite an effective birth control for women too. Went to the zoo on July 4th and came away wanting to have my tubes tied. Just saying.

John McClelland, says:

I had sex education as a kid in school and did learn quite a bit. Also at 11 or so years old, most of us thought what we were learning was gross. It did not make us want to go out and have sex with the nearest person. We need to remember that.

Teaching about abstinence is only part of sex ed. And it always has been. But we have to teach kids about protection. Teaching them about protection keeps the rate of teen mothers down. It also keeps the rate of STDs down.

We need to be realistic. Kids don't learn the reverse cowgirl from sex ed class. But they do learn what is right and wrong. They learn it's not a sin to go buy the condom at Walgreens or get the free one from the clinic. They learn to be tested regularly for STDs. They learn it is probably not the best thing to have a kid when you're 16 no matter how cool a Disney star makes it.

Give them the correct options in life. It is up to them to make the right decision.