Evangelicals and STD's
Did you know that evangelical christain youths who make a promise to remain virgins until marriage contract STD's (sexually transmitted diseases) at about the same rate as other young people? It is true and it deserves our attention.
The SexInfo website is a resource available to people worldwide and therefore accepting of all cultures and religious beliefs. While the religious beliefs of our readers are always respected, it is our opinion that it is necessary to address ways in which those beliefs could possibly conflict with healthy sexual behaviors. This article is designed to address the practice of "virginity pledging", common within evangelical communities. The purpose of a virginity pledge is for the participant to recognize the value of his or her virginity and to promise to remain a virgin until married. A recent study done by Bruckner and Bearman entitled After the Promise: the STD consequences of adolescent virginity pledges, published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, has shown that those young people who make their virginity pledge are at just as high a risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STD's) as those who do not pledge. We would like to address the unique concerns of both the parents and young people involved in the virginity pledgers in the following two letters.
To the Parents of Youth Virginity Pledgers:
We are aware that our readers differ in the opinion as to the role that sexual behavior should play a role in the lives of young people. However, when it comes to the long term health and well being of your children it is important to pay attention to studies like the one mentioned here which shows that even virginity pledgers are vulnerable to contracting STD's and to the same degree as nonpledgers. We do not want to impose our views about sex or tell you how to raise your children but we wish to inform you that many pledgers do engage in some form of sexual activity (as the study shows) and our goal is to help you see how you best protect your children's health.
Most pledgers receive "abstinence only" sex education and know very little about the dangers surrounding sexual activity. Considering that only 12% of pledgers follow through with their pledge we feel that it is important that you as parents inform your children about STD's and encourage some form of sex education. Most adolescents take part in some form of sexual activity as they are growing up. Research has shown that although some teenagers take virginity pledgers, it does not prevent them form engaging in non-coital activity such as oral and anal sex; and both of these sexual activities result in the exchange of bodily fluids hence can cause a variety of STD's. The study reported here that most pledgers did not use any form of protection during sexual activities: indeed only 4% of pledgers engaging in oral sex used condoms and only 30% of pledgers engaging in anal sex used condoms. Most pledgers did not go to doctors to receive STD tests. The lack of condom use and uncertainty of STD status can of course be very detrimental to you children's health.
What can you do as parents? A little bit of sex education can go a long way. Of course it would be great not to have to worry about this and trust that your children will remain a virgin, but the fact that the study has shown that the typical pledger is not taking part in coitus does not mean they are not engaging in other sexual activities, some which can be harmful to them. Informing you children of both the male and the female condom is an important start. Condoms can stop a lot of the STD's that can be transmitted via oral and anal sex. Talking with your children about condoms will help reverse the stigma against their usage and promote safer and healthier forms of sexual activity. Informing your children about places like Planned Parenthood, where they can obtain condoms and STD tests, is equally helpful. With the introduction of sex education and the removal of some of the negative stigma associated with safe sexual activity your children will be able to make educated decisions, and if they do decide to engage in sexual activity they will do so safely.
If you have any questions or concerns please submit a question to us at SexInfo and we will be happy to help.
To Virginity Pledgers:
First we would like to acknowledge and fully respect your virginity pledges. We hope you can stay true to your pledge. However, many of you are in the teenage years and this is a time when many people become sexually active. This happened later in life for pledgers that nonpledgers, according to the recent study, however both pledgers and nonpledgers have the same rates of STD infection. The results from one of the study's surveys indicated that 88% of the pledgers lost their virginities before marriage as opposed to 99% of the nonpledgers. These statistics show that pledgers are more likely to refrain from vaginal intercourse, but their STD rates are just as high. This fact indicated that pledgers are still participating in sexual behaviors that put their health at risk even while they retain their virginity. Research has shown that pledgers are engaging in anal and oral sex at a high rate and performing these behaviors without the use of condoms or other forms of protection. Only 4% of pledgers used condoms for oral sex and only 30% used condoms for anal sex. Because these sexual activities are taking place without the use of condoms, bodily fluids are exchanged and contracting an STD is possible. Anal sex is one of the most dangerous forms of sexual activity; because the anal tissue is very sensitive and delicate, it can be torn very easily during intercourse, creating a passage way for unwanted viruses and bacteria. Please look at this portion of the website for further information click here: Anal sex. When engaging in anal sex it is extremely important to use a condom as well as a water based lubricant i.e. KY jelly.
Oral sex is another way STD's can be contracted, it is important to use proper preventative measures such as the male and female condom when engaging in these sexual activities click here: Oral sex . Pledgers who are not performing coital behaviors are still at risk of contracting STD's, anal and oral sex are risky behaviors if people do not use protection, therefore it is critical that pledgers are not ashamed of using condoms. It is wise to use them 100% of the time.
Even though STD rates are comparable between pledgers and nonpledgers research has shown that pledgers are less likely to get tested or see a doctor about STD's. There is nothing that should embarrass you about wanting to know you STD status and receiving a regular medical check up. Going to see the doctor is a confidential experience, so it will be between you and the doctor and nobody else. If you do not want to see your family doctor, there are places such as Planned Parenthood where you can get tested for STD's and receive contraceptives (condoms, the pill ect.), and in some locations this is a free service.
The most important thing to do while engaging in any sexual activity is to put the health of you and your partner first. Make sure that before you engage in any risky sexual activities that you have the right forms of protection. Do not feel that there is anything taboo about condom usage or receiving STD check-ups because they are crucial for your healthy.
Please feel free if you have any questions at all to submit you questions to us at SexInfo, since we are here to help you.