Rule 1 of Mother-in-law Club

[captain_slinky]

I need to keep in mind that Cardinal Rule of getting along with The mother-In-Law - DON'T TALK ABOUT ANYTHING!!!! Religion and Politics need to be non-issues in our house right now.

She's a big proponent of "Abstinence only", which to me is just dangerously foolish. I myself am an "Abstinence FIRST" type of a person. Preach Abstinence as the only 100% effective form of birth control, sure, but also make sure that they know how to protect themselves.

Abstinence Only is kind of like telling somebody that they don't need an alarm system or locks on their doors as long as they just keep their doors closed and don't invite anybody in. Nobody will try to come in or take your stuff as long as the doors are closed!

Comments

[sasjhwa.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it takes an awful lot of willpower or severe shyness to survive abstinence only. Hormones are just so powerful.

The other problem with the abstinence only method is that it tends to be presented in a way that makes sex into a sin which leads to guilt which gets in the way of a healthy sex life when you are ready for it. It also makes sex forbidden, which then increases its appeal to the up and coming hormone monster. Lots of kids who practice abstinence only end up parents.

[aurora77]

I'm in your camp. It feels like the only reasonable way to go. No matter what you do (short of locking them up), kids still have free will. It seems negligent to NOT teach them about protecting themselves.

[nani-ka.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that worked so well in keeping me from sneaking out of the house in the middle of the night to have unprotected sex on the beach with my high-school-dropout boyfriend....

[captain-slinky.livejournal.com]

If you just don't let anybody know you're doing it, then it still counts abstinence right? Kind of like how masturbating doesn't count as long as you don't tell a priest?

[aquatwo.livejournal.com]

for most christians abstinence isn't even 100% effective. that jesus thing and all.

[captain-slinky.livejournal.com]

We pointed that out to her last night when The Discussion of Abstinence broke out. She said that's different because Mary gave her permission. Which of course led to my conversation-killing "So it's okay for Teens to have unprotected sex as long as they give permission?"

Subject changed immediately.

[aquatwo.livejournal.com]

WIN! <3