Abstinence is the only sure way to avoid getting pregnant or contracting STDs. Teenagers view sex only as a pleasurable thing. Most teens don't realize that being sexually active carries great responsibility and consequences. Abstinence has become widespread in this society and because our country and culture have a tendency to lose morals, the result has been demolished. Adolescent girls develop diseases such as gonorrhea, syphilis and AIDS and have unwanted pregnancies before marriage. As we all know, condoms are not hundred percent accurate, that's why abstinence should be practiced in our country. Abstinence should be a regular course taught in school for these important reasons: preventing pregnancies, preventing STDs, and reducing the number of school dropouts. Abstinence education will delay adolescents from being sexually active, but opponents argue that only abstinence education does that. does not prepare children for safe sex or how to handle sexual situations with maturity and responsibility. They also argue that abstinence does not inform adolescents about the use of birth control. They argue that birth control is the best thing to prevent unplanned pregnancies and that children would benefit from learning how to use condoms and birth control pills correctly. They argue that abstinence focuses on the negative aspects of sex and only shows children graphic images of sexually transmitted diseases to dissuade them from having sex. According to Advocates for Youth, the federal definition of abstinence-only education is one that: “has as its exclusive purpose, teaching the social, psychological, and health gains to be made by abstaining from sexual activity (Morgan Smith ). This is important because sex outside of marriage can have a...... middle of paper ......Works CitedBanchero, Stephanie. “Abstinence push wins in Wisconsin.” The Wall Street Journal. March 15, 2012: A.6. Researcher on SIRS issues. Internet. April 20, 2012. Bell, Kayla. “CON: Abstinence-only education does not meet the realities of adolescents.” Victoria Lawyer. July 18, 2011: np SIRS Issues Researcher. Internet. April 20, 2012.McCrady, Peter. “Abstinence-only sex education curriculum sees decline in Texas.” McClatchy - Tribune Business News. December 13, 2011: np SIRS Issues Researcher. Internet. April 20, 2012. ProQuest Staff. “At issue: abstinence. » ProQuest LLC. 2012: n.pag. Researcher on SIRS issues. Internet. April 20, 2012. Stobbe, Mike. "CDC: Many Teen Moms Didn't Think This Could Happen." The call. January 19, 2012: np SIRS Issues Researcher. Internet. April 20, 2012. Smith, Morgan. “More schools are choosing to teach abstinence-Plus.” New York Times. September 16, 2011: A.21A. Researcher on SIRS issues. Internet. April 20 2012