Sexually transmitted diseases, teenage pregnancy, and marriage failure are problems in the United States. The finger pointing goes every which way. Everyone seems to have their own opinion on how to solve these problems. According to Mellissa Pardue & Robert Rector, our government is sending the wrong messages to the teens of America. Their article "Bad Money for Bad Advice," gives their opinion about the teenage sex issue. Pardue & Rector blame the governments "safe sex" programs, instead of abstinence. The government is spending twelve times more money on "safe sex" programs than encouraging abstinence. The writers believe that abstinence is the best way to lower teen pregnancy and STDs. It is also noted the popularity of abstinence programs among parents for their teens. Pardue & Rector end the article blaming the "safe sex" programs message, because they feel the programs are sending the message that it is okay to have sex, but use protection.
             The writers claim that "safe sex" programs encourage teens to have sexual relations while at a young age. They set their grounds or data, to be information such as a Zogby poll and the notion that abstinence leads to sexual activity at an older age to higher levels of personal happiness in adulthood. To connect the claim to the grounds the warrant is flawed by its attempt to attack the various "safe sex" programs that the United States government funds. Such programs are "Focus on Kids," "Be Proud! Be Responsible," and "Becoming A Responsible Teen (BART)." Pardue & Rector feel these programs send the message, "We expect you to have sex, but please use a condom when you do." That is exactly what the programs are saying. In the twenty first century, casual sex or teen sex is becoming much more common than it was fifty years ago. Teen pregnancy and STDs were becoming a problem beginning in the 80's. Programs such as "Focus on Kids" and "BART" have helped teens realize the co...