We read with interst the arguments for and against Drs advocating
sexual abstinence for teenagers. Dr Stammers makes a strong case for so-
doing citing both medical and psychosocial reasons, without moralising on
the issue. He suggests that advising teenagers to wait is not incompatible
with greater openness (especially in the family) in discussions about sex.
Dr Ingham, by contrast, sees a stark choice between these approaches.
He invokes infringement of "rights" as a ground for not promoting
abstinence. He goes on to attack Dr Stammers for his personal values and
professional affiliations. One is left with the impression that Dr Ingham
is the more determined to see advise on sexual health placed within (or
perhaps outside) a moral context, despite his protestations. Indeed he
states that "sex and relationship education must be based on values of
respect and mutuality", though presumably he would not claim these values
to be personal or moral.
Advice to abstain from sex before marriage should not lead to
teenagers feeling alienated from adults, provided it is given in the
context of a loving relationship with them. We are both grateful for the
adults who exercised their right (and responsibility) to share the
benefits of their wisdom with us.
Rapid Response:
Who's moralising?
We read with interst the arguments for and against Drs advocating
sexual abstinence for teenagers. Dr Stammers makes a strong case for so-
doing citing both medical and psychosocial reasons, without moralising on
the issue. He suggests that advising teenagers to wait is not incompatible
with greater openness (especially in the family) in discussions about sex.
Dr Ingham, by contrast, sees a stark choice between these approaches.
He invokes infringement of "rights" as a ground for not promoting
abstinence. He goes on to attack Dr Stammers for his personal values and
professional affiliations. One is left with the impression that Dr Ingham
is the more determined to see advise on sexual health placed within (or
perhaps outside) a moral context, despite his protestations. Indeed he
states that "sex and relationship education must be based on values of
respect and mutuality", though presumably he would not claim these values
to be personal or moral.
Advice to abstain from sex before marriage should not lead to
teenagers feeling alienated from adults, provided it is given in the
context of a loving relationship with them. We are both grateful for the
adults who exercised their right (and responsibility) to share the
benefits of their wisdom with us.
Competing interests: No competing interests