Because of these "abstinence-only" programs,

most teenagers feel anxious and embarrassed about their

sexual desires and unsure of how to protect themselves

Girls in particular often end up viewing

their sexuality as something shameful and taboo

Making Sex "Shameful & Taboo"

Imagine if the opportunity to set the content of our schooling syllabus was auctioned off. It's an absurd and highly unethical proposition, but in the United States, economic pragmatism is forcing some teachers to play cash-for-comment to ensure the viability of their schools.

Of particular concern are the many schools agreeing to replace comprehensive sex education with "abstinence-only" programs, under a scheme where they receive cash from the US federal government and well-heeled religious conservative backers.

In her book Princesses And Pornstars, the feminist author Emily Maguire claims that by bowing to economic pressure, many US schools may end up mortgaging the health and safety of students.

Citing numerous studies, Maguire argues that while there is no evidence to suggest that abstinence-only programs succeed in reducing the likelihood of teenagers having premarital sex, there is significant evidence to suggest these programs reduce the likelihood of sexually active teens practising safe sex.

The problem is that students given the "abstinence-only" line often miss out on vital information regarding contraception, sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy.

Not only does this place teenagers at a much greater health risk but it also contributes to a culture of ignorance and secrecy about sex.

In Australia, many schools have also adopted abstinence-only sex education, predominantly on religious grounds.

While proponents of these programs say the aim is to teach teens to respect their bodies and the sanctity of marital sex, in reality, most teenagers just end up feeling anxious and embarrassed about their sexual desires and unsure of how to protect themselves.

Girls in particular often end up viewing their sexuality as something shameful and taboo.

In the last decade the abstinence movement has grown in popularity, with increasing numbers of teenagers in the US, Britain and Australia pledging to remain virgins until marriage.

For many, the trend marks a throwback to simpler, more secure times, when heterosexuality, marriage and the nuclear family remained the unchallenged norm.

But critics are concerned about the techniques being used to persuade teens to join the abstinence movement. In the US and Britain, girls as young as 10 are being invited to attend dances known as "purity balls,"

Where, escorted by their fathers, they sign contracts promising to remain virgins until their wedding nights.

In return, the fathers also sign a contract, pledging "as high priest in the home", to protect and provide for their daughters, on the provision that they remain virgins.

Aside from the creepiness factor of asking a young girl to sign her sexuality over to her father, it's disturbing to think these girls are being taught that their father's love and devotion is contingent on what they do with their genitalia.

More to the point, it's highly unethical to ask prepubescent girls to make long-term decisions about their sexuality when they lack the information and critical reasoning skills required for such a decision.

The feminist author Eve Ensler has also pointed out that the only way for these young women to earn back their sexuality is by signing yet another contract, a marital one.

The other alarming thing about these balls is they operate on the assumption that sexually active, unmarried women are "impure" and of lesser value than non-sexually active women.

Unfortunately, young women are still being taught that by exploring and enjoying their sexuality, they are compromising themselves and sullying their bodies.

As a young woman, it's disconcerting to hear female sexuality spoken about in such derogatory terms. Not only does this make young women feel anxious and guilty about experiencing sexual pleasure but it also impinges on their ability to conduct healthy sexual relationships now and in later life.

My point is not to say that all young people should be having sex. On the contrary, sex is a very serious deal, if for no other reason than the associated health risks.

But signing an abstinence contract is also a serious venture. Rather than coercing young people into signing contracts or denying them adequate health information, what we need is an ethical sex education program that explores the biology, psychology and sociology of sex.