5-6-09: "Bristol Palin Reverses, Says Abstinence Best Choice for Teens" (FOXNews.com)

[ImmaSlave4U]

Bristol Palin says abstinence is the best choice for teenagers despite telling FOX News in February that abstinence is "not realistic at all."


Unwed teen mom Bristol Palin did a turnabout Wednesday with her views on teen sex, saying abstinence is the best choice for teenagers despite telling FOX News in February that abstinence is "not realistic at all."

Palin, the 19-year old daughter of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, told ABC's "Good Morning America" that she wishes she'd waited to have sex and that abstinence is a realistic way for teens to avoid unwanted pregnancy.

"Regardless of what I did personally, I just think that abstinence is the only way you can effectively, 100 percent foolproof way you can prevent pregnancy," she said.

But in a Feb. 16 interview with FOX News' Greta Van Susteren, Palin said that while teens should wait to have sex, prescribing abstinence is unrealistic.

"I think abstinence is ... I don't know how to put it ... everyone should be abstinent or whatever, but it's not realistic at all," Palin said.

Levi Johnston, Palin's former fiance and the father of her 4-month old baby, Tripp, echoed that earlier view, saying Wednesday abstinence is "not realistic" for young people. He said sexually active teens need to learn about contraception as well.

"Abstinence is a great idea," Johnston told "CBS This Morning" in an interview. "But I also think you need to enforce, you know, condoms and birth control and other things like that to have safe sex. I don't just think telling young kids, 'You can't have sex,' it's not going to work."

Johnston said he and Palin had used condoms but occasionally had slipped up. That's how Tripp was conceived, Johnston said.

Palin said Tripp is getting chubby and is starting to giggle. She called him "the love of my life," but said she wished she could have had him later in life.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/05/06/bristol-palin-says-abstinence-best-choice-teens/

[Ikasu]

Not a contradiction. Abstinence is a 100% effective way of not getting pregnant, BUT it's not realistic.

[Laura Cereta]

"Regardless of what I did personally, I just think that abstinence is the only way you can effectively, 100 percent foolproof way you can prevent pregnancy," she said.

I don't know that her statement can be called a reverse; it's technically true. She didn't say she now thinks abstinence is realistic; she said it's the only foolproof way to prevent pregnancy, which is obviously correct.

[mack20]

I don't know that her statement can be called a reverse; it's technically true. She didn't say she now thinks abstinence is realistic; she said it's the only foolproof way to prevent pregnancy, which is obviously correct.

From a different article, with a partial video source:
Of course, Palin made headlines in February when she declared that abstinence is "not realistic at all." Now she says the quote was "taken out of context. ... I do think it's realistic. It's the harder choice, but it's the safest choice."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/06/bristol-palin-says-abstin_n_197597.html

And a full video source:
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=7510385&page=1

So it technically is a reverse. I'm actually all for promoting abstinence among teens, but not as the sole form of sex education.

[Ikasu]

I'm actually all for promoting abstinence among teens, but not as the sole form of sex education.

That's my position.

[Suzan]

I'm disappointed, not because she's promoting abstinence. I think that's fine and agree that it's 100%. But it doesn't deal with her own reality or the reality of million of kids out there, and Bristol knows that. I could tell because when the subject came up of a middle ground between teaching kids about birth control versus abstinence only, she quite readily agreed that there was a middle ground.

I saw her being interviewed this morning. She's definitely out there to bring one hard reality home to teens and that's the huge challenges of an unplanned pregnancy. That part's good, but I wish she'd stuck with her original statement about abstinence ONLY being unrealistic, despite what must be incredible pressure from family and church to stay within the guidelines of their beliefs.

[agatha]

I'm actually all for promoting abstinence among teens, but not as the sole form of sex education.


Same here. I have no problem with kids learning about birth control, STDs... that is necessary stuff. But I think it should be with a message of abstinence.

[Meg]

"Regardless of what I did personally, I just think that abstinence is the only way you can effectively, 100 percent foolproof way you can prevent pregnancy," she said.

Well duh! That's exactly what they teach you in health class... along with other ways to protect yourself.

[mavfin]

Well duh! That's exactly what they teach you in health class... along with other ways to protect yourself.

Yep. Only one 100% foolproof way to prevent pregnancy. But it's not much fun.

[Jester]

Yep. Only one 100% foolproof way to prevent pregnancy. But it's not much fun.

Schools should teach the virtue of the withdrawal method complete with proper "O" face and what targets are safer than others. I mean not all kids are going to use condoms.

YouTube - Show her my O face

[Spang]

Butt sex is a reliable form of birth control.

[mavfin]

Butt sex is a reliable form of birth control.

True, but it wasn't common to get that (from girls) in the 80s. :rockon: :D

[Meg]

Butt sex is a reliable form of birth control.

True, but it wasn't common to get that (from girls) in the 80s. :rockon: :D

T.M.I. guys!:p

[mavfin]

T.M.I. guys!:p

Just talking about options to prevent pregnancy... :D

[Meg]

Just talking about options to prevent pregnancy... :D

Uh huh...

[hillary4change]

Basically what she is saying, and was saying all the time is,

- Abstinence is the only fool proof method, I am a great example of that. If I had it to do all over again I would definately choose abstinence. I love my son and am happy that I have him, but this is not the ideal situation.-

I don't think that is a bad message for girls to hear. I think that she believes both ideologies should be taught. But if she comes right out and says that, then she gets called out about her Christianity. She already has been called out on that, because she got pregnant.

What non-Christians (and some evangelicals) forget is we are ALL sinners and we fall short sometimes. But if we have given our life over to God and we are truly repentent, God forgives us. There is nothing wrong with her going out and showing where she has fallen short, so other young people can learn from her lifes choices. It is a pretty easy concept really. @};-

[mavfin]

Basically what she is saying, and was saying all the time is,

- Abstinence is the only fool proof method, I am a great example of that. If I had it to do all over again I would definately choose abstinence. I love my son and am happy that I have him, but this is not the ideal situation.-

I don't think that is a bad message for girls to hear.

Agreed. It's not a bad message at all. As long as they get the other information along with it. i.e. Here's how you prevent it, but, all these things are not foolproof. Only *not doing it* is absolutely 100% foolproof.

Everything in life has a price, after all. Any sex at all (that's not solo, at least) has a risk associated with it. You just have to decide if you're willing to take that risk or not. If you're not willing at all to take responsibility for what might happen if you take that risk, then you shouldn't do it. That's the real lesson, imo.

[TheTaoOfBill]

She's not exactly lying. Abstinence is the best option for teens if you want to prevent STDs and unwanted pregnancy. The trouble doesn't come from being pro abstinence. I think that's a good message to send to kids. The trouble comes when you attempt to make it as difficult as possible for teens to get access to contraceptive. A child should have all the information needed for how to buy and use a condom by the time they are in middle school. But people like Sarah Palin don't like the idea of children learning how to wear condoms because they are too busy handing out promise rings and buying Jonas Brothers albums.

[Jester]

But people like Sarah Palin don't like the idea of children learning how to wear condoms because they are too busy handing out promise rings and buying Jonas Brothers albums.

Learning how to wear a condom?

[hillary4change]

She's not exactly lying. Abstinence is the best option for teens if you want to prevent STDs and unwanted pregnancy. The trouble doesn't come from being pro abstinence. I think that's a good message to send to kids. The trouble comes when you attempt to make it as difficult as possible for teens to get access to contraceptive. A child should have all the information needed for how to buy and use a condom by the time they are in middle school. But people like Sarah Palin don't like the idea of children learning how to wear condoms because they are too busy handing out promise rings and buying Jonas Brothers albums.

Brilliant Bill, right up to the red part! You are generalizing Christians again. Categorizing us as unrealistic and living with our heads in the sand!

FYI I as you know am a Christian and I told my daughters they could have sex if they wanted. I nor their father nor their Heavenly Father owns their bodies. Their bodies belong to them and therefore they are responsible for the way they treat them.

I educated them on sex underage, as well as over 18, but still not mentally ready and the repercussions of that. And I educated them on birthcontrol as well as abstinence.

I told them it was not fair for them to change mine and my husbands lives with their choices. We told them abstinence is best, in our opinion, but if they wanted to have sex they needed to be able to come to me and let me know so I can make sure they are protected.

So put that in your little rubber stamped Christian box TheTaoOfBill!!

[hillary4change]

Learning how to wear a condom?
Yes, I think Bill needs one over his eyes!!

[Jester]

Yes, I think Bill needs one over his eyes!!

I had the condom all figured out. I mean, it seemed pretty obvious. But then I went to school and found out I was supposed to put it on a banana. My date looked confused when I told her I left the banana at home. I guess they taught abstinence after all.

[mavfin]

I had the condom all figured out. I mean, it seemed pretty obvious. But then I went to school and found out I was supposed to put it on a banana. My date looked confused when I told her I left the banana at home. I guess they taught abstinence after all.

:surprise:X_X

[hillary4change]

I had the condom all figured out. I mean, it seemed pretty obvious. But then I went to school and found out I was supposed to put it on a banana. My date looked confused when I told her I left the banana at home. I guess they taught abstinence after all.
:rotfl::laughing::rotfl: You are funny Jester!!

[TheTaoOfBill]

Brilliant Bill, right up to the red part! You are generalizing Christians again. Categorizing us as unrealistic and living with our heads in the sand!

FYI I as you know am a Christian and I told my daughters they could have sex if they wanted. I nor their father nor their Heavenly Father owns their bodies. Their bodies belong to them and therefore they are responsible for the way they treat them.

I educated them on sex underage, as well as over 18, but still not mentally ready and the repercussions of that. And I educated them on birthcontrol as well as abstinence.

I told them it was not fair for them to change mine and my husbands lives with their choices. We told them abstinence is best, in our opinion, but if they wanted to have sex they needed to be able to come to me and let me know so I can make sure they are protected.

So put that in your little rubber stamped Christian box TheTaoOfBill!!

I didn't even mention Christians.... So I don't even know what you're going on about... I have nothing against Christians. Apparently critizing Sarah Palin is akin to criticizing Christians now...

[ZY123]

....I think parents need to start taking responsibility again, perhaps they and not the school should be responsible for "educating" students on sex, or lack thereof.

"My kid got pregnant! It's the teacher's fault!" :rolleyes:

Butt sex is a reliable form of birth control.

*Imagining guys using that line*: "But honey, this way we're not REALLY having sex. AND you can't get prego so it's a double bonus."

[Lealy]

Learning how to wear a condom?

My girls have promise rings and they used to listen to the Jonas Brothers(now growing out of that age), they have had sex ed at home from me and at school. I also talk to the girls (they are older than the boys) about abstinence as well as them having the program at school. I say do it all and pray something sticks and if not you deal with it then. Life happens.

[foxyladi]

I had the condom all figured out. I mean, it seemed pretty obvious. But then I went to school and found out I was supposed to put it on a banana. My date looked confused when I told her I left the banana at home. I guess they taught abstinence after all.

lol.:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

[Jester]

Ok, here is a condom fact that many people seem to be unaware of:

Latex condoms will break down if used with oil based lubricants. So if your partner is stupid enough to break out baby oil or basic hand lotion, they just ruined your night. Spread the word.

Now polyurethane condoms supposedly can stand up to nonsex-based lubricants, but I would not recommend those condoms. They have a higher breakage rate just with normal use.

If sex all of the sudden starts to feel really good, your condom probably broke.

Unwanted pregnancies would decline one million fold if they just invented better STD/birth control methods than a condom. I guarantee you, if a kid tries condom free sex, they will have a hard time going back. That is just reality. It wasn't because they didn't know about "how to wear a condom". That is disingenuous.

If your kid tells you they didn't know how to wear a condom, then they are either lying or not as bright as you thought.

[ZY123]

Ok, here is a condom fact that many people seem to be unaware of:

Latex condoms will break down if used with oil based lubricants. So if your partner is stupid enough to break out baby oil or basic hand lotion, they just ruined your night. Spread the word.



So break out the baby oil/hand lotion and the night is over? There just have to be some creative solutions to that situation I would think.

[Suzan]

I didn't even mention Christians.... So I don't even know what you're going on about... I have nothing against Christians. Apparently critizing Sarah Palin is akin to criticizing Christians now...
Well, that is why most people criticize her--her religious beliefs and anything she does that's perceived as trashy or hypocritical because of those beliefs.

And I agree w/Hillary4change that a lot of assumptions are being made about Christians on this board, including by me. They're not all Evangelicals and even among Evangelicals, there seems to be great diversity. I'm learning that as I read the posts.

[TheTaoOfBill]

Well, that is why most people criticize her--her religious beliefs and anything she does that's perceived as trashy or hypocritical because of those beliefs.

And I agree w/Hillary4change that a lot of assumptions are being made about Christians on this board, including by me. They're not all Evangelicals and even among Evangelicals, there seems to be great diversity. I'm learning that as I read the posts.

80% of Americans are Christian. If 80% of Americans were evangelicals we'd be a hole in the ground.

[Spang]

There's a good documentary out there called Jesus Camp. It's about these kids that go to a summer camp to learn how to be radical right-wing Christian nutjobs. But more than that, it's about how radical right-wing Christian nutjobs are ruining Christianity. I recommend it.

[TheTaoOfBill]

There's a good documentary out there called Jesus Camp. It's about these kids that go to a summer camp to learn how to be radical right-wing Christian nutjobs. But more than that, it's about how radical right-wing Christian nutjobs are ruining Christianity. I recommend it. I think I got through half of it before I turned it off because I couldn't handle them anymore. They are pretty much against anything that makes a child grow into a healthy intelligent adult. What they do to their kids is borderline child abuse.

[hillary4change]

I didn't even mention Christians.... So I don't even know what you're going on about... I have nothing against Christians. Apparently critizing Sarah Palin is akin to criticizing Christians now...
Bill, I was having fun with you....the rubber stamp comment.

I really did agree with your post.

I was half heartedly ribbing you about the Sarah Palin comment. That comment lines up with what a lot of liberal Democrats think of her. So I was going off on that angle.

I am sorry.

[TheTaoOfBill]

Bill, I was having fun with you....the rubber stamp comment.

I really did agree with your post.

I was half heartedly ribbing you about the Sarah Palin comment. That comment lines up with what a lot of liberal Democrats think of her. So I was going off on that angle.

I am sorry.

Gotcha...I thought it was a bit weird. No need to apologize it was my fault for not reading your tone correctly. It can be hard to pick up on sarcasm online...