D#9, HW#6, Toulmin Outline

Claim: Abstinence-only sex education programs in the United States are a failure. They ultimately do more harm than good.

Reason #1: Sexually transmitted disease (STD) spread among teenagers who have participated in abstinence-only sex education programs is no lower than other teens; in fact it is often times higher.

• Warrant: Lack of knowledge on how to protect themselves while having sex and being sexually active has led to the increase in STD spread; specifically the spread of HIV.
  Backing: Teenagers (people in general) need to be educated and taught how to protect themselves.
• Evidence #1: Over 15 years of research show that comprehensive sex education programs significantly reduce HIV-risk behavior, as opposed to abstinence-only sex education programs.
• Warrant: If teenagers are taught how to use condoms appropriately and taught proper sexual communication skills, while still being encouraged to practice abstinence there will be less spread of HIV.
• Objection: If teenagers are taught abstinence-only sex education they will not be having sex and therefore will not be passing and contracting sexually transmitted diseases.
• Rebuttal: Although teenagers may be taught abstinence, it does not mean that they all practice it. With abstinence-only sex education programs the teenagers that do decide to be sexually active have no knowledge of how to protect themselves.
• Evidence #2: Teenagers that have taken a pledge of virginity or pledge of abstinence are less likely to use condoms or other forms of contraception.
• Warrant: STD spread is more likely if teenagers do not use contraceptives.

Reason #2: Abstinence-only sex education programs teach false information/ factual errors and use fear tactics to scare teenagers out of having sex.

• Warrant: Teenagers are not learning anything if they are being intimidated or made to feel bad for being or wanting to be sexually active. They are also learning false information that may be harmful to them; ultimately learning nothing of merit.
• Evidence #1: In 2004 California representative Henry Waxman released a report that found 11 out of the13 most commonly used abstinence-only sex education programs contain “significant factual errors”. (In the paper I will go into detail about some specific factual errors)
• Warrant: Teenagers are supposed to be able to trust their teachers and believe what they are being taught.
• Evidence #2: Abstinence-only sex education programs instill fear and shame in teenagers. There is a case study of three different programs that have been proven to use fear tactics and I also have personally experienced an abstinence-only class that made students feel shame and fear.
• Warrant: Not only is it something I personally experienced, but at least three other abstinence-only programs are like that as well.
• Objection: My opinion about the class may be biased because I am the author.
• Rebuttal: I have another source that supports my claim. Therefore it is not just me stating that fear tactics are used in classes.

Reason #3: Abstinence-only sex education programs do not delay sexual activity or lower teenage pregnancy rates significantly (if at all).

• Warrant: Why only teach abstinence if there are no results. Why not teach more ways for teenagers to be safe.
• Evidence #1: The percentage of teenagers having sex is extremely high according to Planned Parenthood research.
• Warrant: Teenagers are having sex whether they are taught about abstinence or not. Numerous researches have proven this.
• Evidence #2: Teen pregnancy rates have slowly been declining, but the rate is still the highest out of most developed countries in the world. However, according to research done by Planned Parenthood, the pregnancy decline is because teenagers that are sexually experienced are using more contraceptives; it is not due to abstinence-only programs.
• Warrant: Research by the Alan Guttmacher Institute shows decline in sexually experienced teens. This has nothing to do with abstinence-only programs.