10-03-2006, 12:24 AM
Since none of us in this discussion are sure what Bob Geldorf's program is, we're discussing instead, abstinence from sex. We're talking about Africa, a continent we probably know little about; and we don't know what their moral ideas or practices are.
Abstinence is a great goal, especially prior to formal marriage by the religion or by the government, but kids don't wait. I raised all 6 of my kids to wait until marriage, and none of them did. Most cultures, ancient and modern, are patriarchal, dominated and run by elder males. When the man wants sex, he generally convinces the female to do it, the way the man wants. "Just say no" doesn't always work for powerless women and girls.
If my sources are correct, this Bush administration has insisted on foreign aid for reproductive health only going to programs that preach (yes, preach) abstinence before marriage, no condoms, and no abortions. That is not the way to prevent unwanted births, and it's not the best way to prevent STD's.
Abstinence is a great goal, especially prior to formal marriage by the religion or by the government, but kids don't wait. I raised all 6 of my kids to wait until marriage, and none of them did. Most cultures, ancient and modern, are patriarchal, dominated and run by elder males. When the man wants sex, he generally convinces the female to do it, the way the man wants. "Just say no" doesn't always work for powerless women and girls.
If my sources are correct, this Bush administration has insisted on foreign aid for reproductive health only going to programs that preach (yes, preach) abstinence before marriage, no condoms, and no abortions. That is not the way to prevent unwanted births, and it's not the best way to prevent STD's.
I'm often wrong. But I'm not always wrong!