I just read online that our representatives in Washington D.C. are debating whether or not to renew grants for abstinence-only education. The fact is, no matter what you believe in terms of premarital sex, teens do become sexually active. The proof, unfortunately, is in rising STD rates among teenagers. One study reports that 25% of black teenage girls have an STD. Is this any way to spend a billion dollars in taxpayer money, on programs that are proven not to work?

I have a teenage daughter who is nowhere near ready for the responsibility and emotions of a sexual relationship, but she has all the information she needs to make decisions. That’s what’s important. Teens must be given two messages, even if they seem contradictory: 1) safe sex requires maturity and decision making and 2) the only safe sex takes place within marriage where both people are faithful. Everything in between requires knowing yourself, your partner, the issues at hand, and what is ultimately going to be the right path for you. If that is abstinence until marriage, so be it. If you choose to become sexually active, understand that there are risks.

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