ion of "how" to teach abstinence still looms large.
The main criticism of programs stressing abstinence is that they are unrealistic and ineffective because they never discuss birth control and simply expect teens to avoid sex. Such programs have a Nancy Reagan "Just say no" simplistic quality to them which makes them appear foolish, both to teens and most enlightened educators. The above quotation which threatens the integrity of dogs everywhere is (was?) the slogan of the popular Sex Respect program, "conducted in 1,100 school districts nationwide" (Shpiro, 1993, p. 56). A look at any school district's professional library is bound to turn up some Sex Respect teaching material. "How" to teach abstinence is simple for the Sex respect experts; unfortunately, none of the "abstinence only" programs has a proven record of success.
When former Surgeon General Dr. Joycelyn Elders spoke out in favor of a middle ground approach to sex education--in other words, teach abstinence but also offer the tools necessary if students do engage in sexual intercourse--she
...