The focus is more so on behavior rather than the actual full knowledge of the subject. Virginity pledge programs increase pledge-takers risks for STIs and pregnancy. A study was conducted with the results concluding that eighty-eight percent of pledge takers initiated sex prior to marriage even though some delayed sex for a while ("Effective Sex Education," par. 6). This shows that abstinence only is not reducing the pregnancy and STD rate in adolescents, but increasing it. When we think about making more sexual education classes for teenagers we have to consider everyone's opinions about this subject. With this in mind we have to acknowledge the fact that even though not everyone has the same values, there has to be a system for everyone to know the basics of sexual education. When we look at national census taken, we have a very clear picture of the ignorance in this subject among teenagers. All of the states that are in the top ten with the highest teen pregnancy rates have poor sexual education in schools. Many of these states, including Texas, have informational classes concerning sex, but they are not medically accurate. Various states like Arizona and Arkansas do not require sexual education at all, and if it is taught, they are required to stress abstinence. They give students little to no information on contraceptives and other potential risks that are linked to sex (Leber, par.1-2). The statistics are not wrong; one in every four adolescents have received abstinence only education (Leber, par. 2). Teenagers are not being taught about their bodies and what actually happens not only when people have sex but also when one gets pregnant and even when one has a sexually transmitted disease. Many parents are also not talking about these subjects with their children. It is seen as a taboo within families, but obviously this is just making the statistics worse. There has to be something that breaks that barrier between families so that they can be comfortable enough to talk to their children about this subject.
