Bristol Palin Claims Teen Abstinence is 'Not Realistic'

Bristol is a lot more realistic than her mother, I believe.

Despite the fact the only reason Bristol is getting any publicity is because of her mother's inane political forays, at least she is standing up for herself and owning her actions. I'd rather hear someone make a mistake/misstep/unconventional decision and own up to it rather than pulling the woe-is-me routine! Teen pregnancy happens EVERYWHERE, around the world, in our communities. Being educated and using protection is the only way to turn things around, not sweeping the issue under the rug and hiding it!

About one-third of Puritan girls were pregnant at the time of their weddings according to the stats obtained from family Bibles.

I think all teens could benefit from a lot of education around this issue - especially in light of the recent story from the UK about the 13 year old who fathered a baby. I mean, now it is just getting out of control from that viewpoint.

Bristol Palin's remarks are somewhat contradictory. She does say that abstinence is unrealistic, but taken in context, she repeatedly states that you should 'wait 10 years', and 'wait until you are married'. She says that abstinence is unrealistic due to society's acceptance of sex outside of marriage. What if teens had more encouragement to stay abstinent before marriage, and if society had a stronger message that youth should wait until after marriage? Since 52 per cent of United States high school students have never had sexual intercourse, it makes a lot of sense to continue encouraging those youth who wish to remain sexually abstinent. Also abstinent youth will avoid all of the social, emotional, moral, mental and physical consequences of sex outside of marriage.

richardurban has contributed a photo to this story.

richardurban, I think preaching to those already abstaining is certainly not going to help the other 48% of teens who are sexually active. I think we owe it to them to give them straight facts and healthy assistance. Informing teens is not the same as encouraging them.  And like Geneva and others have stated, teen pregnancies have always and will always exist.  It seems better to help them get through what Bristol says is already a really hard thing, rather than witholding information and demonizing what is natural.

I agree with Bristol.  It is better for a numerous reasons to be abstinent until marriage (or at least until financially independent adulthood), but teens receive conflicting messages in the media as well as real life examples that significantly impact their sexual choices.  Therefore, it seems unrealistic to ever expect 100% of teens to choose abstinence, although I certainly commend those who do.  The same answer Bristol gave regarding abortion, many teens say about sex, "It doesn't matter what my mom's views are on it."

Do you want to know what I did?  I taught my teens what I felt was right, then bought a HUGE box of condoms and emptied them in a basket on top of the fridge - free for all, no questions asked - and refilled the basket as the supply depleted.  They said their friends used them. Whatever.

She is hero!

Remember when Bristol Palin basically admitted that abstinence doesn't work? 18-year-old daughter of Sarah Palin whose pregnancy during the presidential campaign sets right-wingers sputtering making headline.