TheGoodBits Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 (CNN) -- In her first interview since giving birth, the teenage daughter of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin said having a child is not "glamorous," and that telling young people to be abstinent is "not realistic at all."Bristol Palin says "everyone should just wait 10 years" to have a baby, rather than when you're young. "It's just, like, I'm not living for myself anymore. It's, like, for another person, so it's different," Bristol Palin told Fox News' Greta Van Susteren. "And just you're up all night. And it's not glamorous at all," she said. "Like, your whole priorities change after having a baby." The 18-year-old, who gave birth in late December, said she is being helped tremendously by her mother, grandmother, cousins and other family members. She is engaged to teen father Levi Johnston, who is now working for his father and trying to complete school, but said she wishes that she waited another 10 years to have a baby. It was "harder than labor" telling her parents she was pregnant. "Well, we were sitting on the couch, my best friend and Levi, and we had my parents come and sit on the couch, too. And we had my sisters go upstairs," Bristol said. "And we just sat them down, and I just -- I couldn't even say it. I was just sick to my stomach. "And so finally, my best friend just, like, blurted it out. And it was just, like -- I don't even remember it because it was just, like, something I don't want to remember." Todd and Sarah Palin were "scared just because I have to -- I had to grow up a lot faster than they ever would have imagined," Bristol said. Her parents insisted that she and her boyfriend hash out a "game plan" immediately. And now her parents and relatives are all pitching in to help take care of the child, particularly when Bristol is at school during the day. Van Susteren was delicate with the teenager but pointedly asked if "contraception is an issue here." "Is that something that you were just lazy about or not interested, or do you have philosophical or religious opposition to it," Van Susteren asked. Bristol quickly answered that she didn't want to get into specifics. The best option is abstinence, the teen said, but added that she didn't think that was "realistic." Click link for rest of article -------------------------- So, does this finally nail the coffin shut as far as abstinence only sex education goes? I'm not saying that Bristol Palin should be considered an expert on anything, but there's a hell of a lot of first hand experience behind what she's saying;)... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGoodBits Posted February 17, 2009 Author Share Posted February 17, 2009 Oh yeah I forgot... I'd hit it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stophovr6 Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 If it's not realistic how is it the best option? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACW Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 Nice to see someone who gets it. Hot too :yes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D'KanSkinFan Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Good advice; and a realist too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubbs Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 I really wish she would've actually answered the contraception question. I'd bet a whole lot of money that she got pregnant because she didn't understand something very basic about the use of a particular contraceptive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PokerPacker Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 I really wish she would've actually answered the contraception question. I'd bet a whole lot of money that she got pregnant because she didn't understand something very basic about the use of a particular contraceptive. perhaps she was coached not to talk about contraceptives Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ljs Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 True Hubbs, I don't think that she didn't use contraception because of religious reasons, it's insane how many people won't because "it doesn't feel the same" (condoms) and I'm sure that it was nearly impossible for her to get birth control w/o her mother knowing. I missed the interview w/ Greta, but have been thinking about this. There are millions of people, from "conservative christians" to "liberal types" who are having sex outside of marriage, adultry or before they are out of highschool. So almost anyone who sits in judgement of her, and probalby only because they don't like her mother, is the epitomy of "throwing stones at a glass house". You can teach your kids all day long, you can shelter them all you want...but at some point they will make their own decisions, right or wrong. Regardless of who her mom is, this was Bristols decision to have unprotected sex, no Sarah's. I wish her the best, not an easy road at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGoodBits Posted February 18, 2009 Author Share Posted February 18, 2009 Do we have any "abstinence only" advocates here on ES? I'm just curious, I'd like to know what some of their arguments for it are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twa Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Do we have any "abstinence only" advocates here on ES? I'm just curious, I'd like to know what some of their arguments for it are. Do you mean "abstinence only" as the only foolproof method? If so, then I certainly advocate it,it worked for me and my wife and my children.(and anyone else that Does it) I do believe in instruction in contraceptives though,as well as their use. I also believe you need to make sure they know the risks of failure and disease.(as well as the psychological issues that go with sex) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGoodBits Posted February 18, 2009 Author Share Posted February 18, 2009 Do you mean "abstinence only" as the only foolproof method?If so, then I certainly advocate it,it worked for me and my wife and my children. I do believe in instruction in contraceptives though,as well as their use. I also believe you need to make sure they know the risks of failure and disease.(as well as the psychological issues that go with sex) Yeah that's pretty much how I feel I'd instruct my hypothetical kids. And it's not abstinence only if you teach them about contraceptives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burgold Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Abstinence only is not a fool proof method! Look at that octuplet lady! Fourteen kids without sex. I hear the Virgin Mary is really worried about her place in history right now. Pfah, one child without sex! That's nothing! (apologies to the religious) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toe Jam Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 I honestly have no idea how I got laid when I was a teenager. I was, and still am, a huge nerd with no social skills whatsoever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twa Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Yeah that's pretty much how I feel I'd instruct my hypothetical kids. And it's not abstinence only if you teach them about contraceptives. I think you are mistaken if you feel abstinence only education does not teach contraceptives. It is instead FOCUSED on abstinence ,but not exclusively. Anyone here been to abstinence only courses? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGoodBits Posted February 18, 2009 Author Share Posted February 18, 2009 I honestly have no idea how I got laid when I was a teenager.I was, and still am, a huge nerd with no social skills whatsoever. LOL! All you need is to lower your standards, and it'll happen sooner or later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGoodBits Posted February 18, 2009 Author Share Posted February 18, 2009 I think you are mistaken if you feel abstinence only education does not teach contraceptives.It is instead FOCUSED on abstinence ,but not exclusively. Anyone here been to abstinence only courses? I might be then... I was under the impression that the "only" meant only abstinence is taught. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Destino Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Abstinence? No thanks. I didn't wait for marriage and I don't regret it at all. Not one damn bit. I wouldn't have been happy in marriage had I not know what was out there and what worked for me. I'd say unrealistic is the least of it. Not a big fan of the latest "emotional side effects" nonsense I keep hearing either. There are emotional side effects to every social behavior. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACW Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 ABC Abstinence Be faithful use Condoms Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twa Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 ABCAbstinence Be faithful use Condoms Sounds good,but not very 'realistic' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Brave Little Toaster Oven Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 I really wish she would've actually answered the contraception question. I'd bet a whole lot of money that she got pregnant because she didn't understand something very basic about the use of a particular contraceptive. I doubt it, they probably were just lazy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjah Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 I think you are mistaken if you feel abstinence only education does not teach contraceptives.It is instead FOCUSED on abstinence ,but not exclusively. Wait. Wait a second. If it provides reliable, fact-based information about contraceptives, free of moralistic editorializing about why sex with contraception is "wrong," then why in the hell would they call it "abstinence only?" I could take a guess or two -- but I'd rather hear the details from someone who has gone through "abstinence only" sex ed. Right now in this thread, "abstinence only" is being billed as the sex ed equivalent of a class called Ethical Veganism and the Wonderful World of Ruth's Chris Steak House. Something tells me there's more to the story than we've heard so far. Is "abstinence only" sex ed really providing comprehensive, fact-based, impartial information about contraception? Why not call it "abstinence encouraged" then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twa Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Perhaps this from one of the most used programs will help? http://www.choosingthebest.org/faqs/index.html#anchor_5 5. Q: Are you “abstinence-only?” Do you talk about contraception in your curriculum? A: Yes and yes. “Abstinence-only” is a legislative term for educational materials that meet the federal definition of abstinence education, established in section 510 of the 1996 Welfare Reform Act (also referred to as “Title V”), outlined in conditions A-H. Choosing the Best meets the conditions outlined in A-H and therefore qualifies as “abstinence only” per the government definition. Teaching and promoting abstinence is the exclusive purpose of Choosing the Best programs. Choosing the Best does educate about contraceptives; however, Choosing the Best does not advocate or demonstrate contraceptive use. Contraceptive methods are presented, including data about efficacy rates with respect to pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Choosing the Best shows, for example, that when used consistently and correctly, condoms are most effective at reducing the risk of HIV but are less effective in protecting against STDs such as chlamydia, herpes, and HPV, which can cause cervical cancer.1 The facts presented are supported by the CDC, illustrating the CDC’s conclusion that “condom use cannot guarantee absolute protection against any STD2” and teaching that only abstinence offers complete, 100% protection against both STDs and pregnancy. Choosing the Best strongly emphasizes that abstinence from sex until marriage is students’ best choice for their health and futures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGoodBits Posted February 18, 2009 Author Share Posted February 18, 2009 "Choosing the Best does not advocate or demonstrate contraceptive use." I guess that's a problem I would have with it. "Also kids, if you DO have sex you should use contraceptives."-end lecture Kid1- "I still want to have sex, but what's a contraspective thingy?" Kid2- "I dunno... Oh well!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stophovr6 Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Do you mean "abstinence only" as the only foolproof method?If so, then I certainly advocate it,it worked for me and my wife and my children.(and anyone else that Does it) I do believe in instruction in contraceptives though,as well as their use. I also believe you need to make sure they know the risks of failure and disease.(as well as the psychological issues that go with sex) I think you are mistaken if you feel abstinence only education does not teach contraceptives.It is instead FOCUSED on abstinence ,but not exclusively. Anyone here been to abstinence only courses? I feel there is a conflict in what you are saying. The word only means exclusively. You taught your kids about contraceptives and their use. You included that in your education. By definition, you did not exclusively teach them abstinence. Thus you did not teach them Abstinence only...which would NOT have included anything about contraceptives. Right? Then again, I've never been to an abstinence only course. Do they teach you about how contraceptives work? Because it seems like this would defeat the purpose of teaching abstinence only. Is this definition of Abstinence Only education accurate? Abstinence-only sex education is a form of sex education that emphasizes abstinence from sex to the exclusion of all other types of sexual and reproductive health education, particularly regarding birth control and safe sex. This type of sex education promotes sexual abstinence until marriage and either completely avoids any discussion about the use of contraceptives, or only reveals failure rates associated with such use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevenaa Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Abstinence? No thanks. I didn't wait for marriage and I don't regret it at all. Not one damn bit. I wouldn't have been happy in marriage had I not know what was out there and what worked for me. I'd say unrealistic is the least of it. Not a big fan of the latest "emotional side effects" nonsense I keep hearing either. There are emotional side effects to every social behavior. I call total BS on this argument. What "does it" for me and the misses now is totally different then when we got married. Sex evolves and changes in a relationship just like everything else. What's important is marrying someone who is like minded and you can figure that out without sex, if you desire. I'm not judging your decsion, just disagreeing with the argument that you need to sample the buffet before making a decision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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