Christian_Colleges_and_Safe_Sex

Most Christian colleges today promote an abstinence only sex education policy. This is based from a moral stand point that sexual relations are reserved for marriage only instead of from a stand point of health for the students. It is true that the only sure protection from unwanted pregnancies or sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) is abstinence. However, for many college students, even ones attending a Christian college, abstinence is an unrealistic expectation. Even if intercourse does not occur, other forms of sexual activities such as oral sex will take place as a substitute. Although pregnancies will not occur with such activities, infections can and will. This is why student health clinics on Christian colleges should offer sex education classes as well as contraceptive and protection choices, such as condoms, for its student body. Traditionally, sex education lessons have focused on covering the biological facts about human reproduction, and warnings against unsafe sexual practices. Often today sex education is combined with relationships education, in an attempt to place sex in a broader emotional, social and family context (Avert). But in today’s society there is more talk about safe sex and how student should be more informed about protection against STIs. Some people worry about whether sex should ever be seen as entirely risk-free, which it should not, however, safe sex is a reasonable solution for the epidemic of sexually transmitted infections among students. Opponents argue that educating students about safe sex and promoting safe sex are basically the same thing (Heritage foundation), but it is not and should not be considered the same. They say it is one thing to inform students about sex and it's risks, and another to promote and encourage them to choose any form of safe sex as prevention instead of encouraging them to stay abstinent. The cost and impact of unsafe sexual practices that result in STI’s and unwanted pregnancies are paid by society, not just the affected parties. Making protection accessible for students is not only socially responsible but completely justifiable. Many people believe that making things such as condoms available to students promotes promiscuity and will undermined the values the college is trying to promote, such as abstinence until marriage. Although most christian colleges require its students to sign a life style agreement policy when applying for admittance and expected to abide by this the reality is that some students will not. Many students do not live on campus and many are, in fact, married. Among these students many do not have and can not afford health insurance and are not eligible for state assisted health insurance. They are simply trying to better their future by attending college. If a student, married or not, should become pregnant chances are that they would have to quit school. Some would have no way to support their child and the cost would again fall on society as a whole. If contraceptives were made available to them through the college they attend this hypothetical, yet real possibility, could be avoided. Research shows that abstinence education often fails (MSNBC).Yale and Columbia University researchers found that teens who pledged abstinence are just as likely to have STIs as their peers. These same researchers also found that 88 percent of teens who pledge abstinence end up having sex before marriage, compared with 99 percent of teens who do not make a pledge (MSNBC). Many college students do end up having sex, and because they have not been taught about safe sex methods or these methods are not made available to them, they are much more likely to become pregnant or infected with an STI. Yes, abstinence is the only secure way to ensure that STI’s and unwanted pregnancies do not occur, but the reality is that college students are more likely to engage in some type of sexual activity during their college years than not. College is a place where students are expected to be adults, responsible for their actions. As well as critical thinkers able to weigh the pros and cons of a situation. So why not let them choose what they feel is best for them, morally or otherwise. Making contraception and or protection available and not “taboo” opens the door for them to act like the responsible adults they are expected to be. Christian colleges could educate it’s students about safe sex, make safe sex methods available to their students and still promote the college’s abstinence only policy. This could be done by offering a series of chapels that educates students about safe sex methods and informing them about the availabilities of certain types of protection that the college offers, yet still encourage abstinence among the students. We have to accept that for a wide variety of social reasons student are now more sexually active, something that had already developed before the wide spread practice of sex education. Therefore, sex education can not be considered the cause. Keeping students uninformed about safe sex methods will not stop them having sex, but it will mean that the sex they have is riskier, resulting in unplanned pregnancies, abortions and STI‘s. Condoms, while not perfect, are widely recommended for the prevention of STIs. They have been shown to be effective in reducing infection rates in both men and women. So it is important to make the idea of safe sex more attractive to the students that decide to engage in sexual activities to prevent STIs and unwanted pregnancies. This is why all colleges, Christian and secular alike, should inform their students about safe sex methods, and make these methods available to them if they choose to engage in sexual activities. Opponents state that condoms should not be promoted. It is one thing to inform students of their options and a completely different thing to promote safe sex as an alternative to abstinence. Making safe sex methods more accessible and attractive to students is the same as making sex itself more attractive. In a way it is telling them that they can be safe having sex and this encourages them. By making them feel that if they use these methods they are protected from any risks only makes them more eager to start engaging in sexual activities (Lines). Again, if college students are expected to act like responsible adults shouldn’t they be allowed to choose for themselves what is right, and be given every opportunity and resource available to make responsible choices' Opponents also claim that safe sex education promotes values and practices that are offensive to many religious groups (Segelstein). For example, most safe sex education focuses heavily on condom use, which is directly counter to Catholic teaching. And promotion of “alternative sexual practices” can encourage people to see homosexuality as normal, which is offensive to many Christians and Muslims. Not only is this unacceptable it is also an assault on student believers who are forced to sit through these classes. This is why it is important to offer sex education classes. Those students that do not wish to attend do not have to. Safe sex education is a right, regardless of your religious background. Students must have access to a range of viewpoints on human sexuality, including biological, religious, ethical, and health perspectives, in order to help them make up their own minds as to the right way to act and then have access to contraception/ protection if that is the decision they make. A choice for chastity until marriage is much more meaningful, and much more likely to be kept, if it is a positive and informed decision. For this reason, if no other, it is important for christian colleges to have safe sex methods available to and not “taboo” for its students. Bibliography Avert et al, “Sex Education That Works” Avert web site, accessed on 10/26/2010 www.avert.org/sex-education.htm Concordia College “Sexual Intimacy Policy” Student Handbook 2010-2011 pg 56 Accessed 10/2/2010 http://intranet.cu-portland.edu/students/documents/Student%20Handbook.pdf Lines Paul “Does sex education in schools encourage teens to have sex'” Helium web site, Accessed 10/29/2010 http://www.helium.com/items/611864-does-sex-education-in-schools-encourage- teens-to-have-sex MSNBC, “Many who pledge abstinence at risk for STDs”, MSNBC, updated 3/18/2005 6:23:22 PM ET 2005-03-18T23:23:22, accessed on 10/26/2010, http Pardue, Melissa, Robert Rector and Shannan Martin “Government Spends $12 on Safe Sex and Contraceptives for Every $1 Spent on Abstinence” Heritage.org, Published on January 14, 2004. Accessed on 10/29/2010 http://www.heritage.org/Research/Reports/2004/01/Government-Spends-12-on- Safe-Sex-and-Contraceptives-for-Every-1-Spent-on-Abstinence Segelstien, Marcia “Teens Having Sex” World /Community Today’s news Christian views August 20, 2010 accessed 10\29\2010 http://online.worldmag.com/2010/08/20/teens-having-sex/ Warner Pacific College “Community Covenant” The Squire Student Handbook 2010- 2011 pg 7 Accessed on 10/29/2010 http://warnerpacific.edu/uploadedFiles/Subject_Pages/Campus_Life/2010- 2011%20Squire.pdf