US Research Implies Abstinence-Only Message of Section 377A Does Not Lead to Abstinence Behaviour, This Implies Section 377A Would Have No Deterrence Effect in Keeping in Check Homosexual-Related STDs and Hypothetical Sexual-Related 'Social Immorality'

(This is a copy of an email that I sent to the Prime Minister and the Members of Parliament about my request to amend Section 377A of the Penal Code.) 


Research reports from the United States have found that abstinence-only sex education does not lead to abstinence in sexual behaviour.

This implies that keeping Section 377A would not have an effect in keeping in check the rate of sexually transmitted diseases among homosexuals. This also implies that Section 377A would not have an effect in keeping in check any hypothetical sexual-related 'social immorality'.

People who assumed that Section 377A can keep in check any hypothetical 'social morality' would therefore be proven wrong.

Section 377A was recently mentioned in Court to have been enacted during colonial times to curb male prostitution long ago. This new research report would prove that even such a possible deterrence to curb male prostitution with abstinence would not have any resultant effect in the past. Male prostitution during that time could have dwindled due to other factors.

If people need to or are desperate to have sex for any reason, they will continue to do it out of need or desperation.

The better way to prevent any sexual-related diseases is through public education such as sex education and behaviour-related campaigns, and not through abstinence as seen in the keeping of Section 377A.


Abstinence-only education does not lead to abstinent behavior, UGA researchers find
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111129185925.htm

"States that prescribe abstinence-only sex education programs in public schools have significantly higher teenage pregnancy and birth rates than states with more comprehensive sex education programs, researchers from the University of Georgia have determined.

The researchers looked at teen pregnancy and birth data from 48 U.S. states to evaluate the effectiveness of those states' approaches to sex education, as prescribed by local laws and policies.

"Our analysis adds to the overwhelming evidence indicating that abstinence-only education does not reduce teen pregnancy rates," said Kathrin Stanger-Hall, assistant professor of plant biology and biological sciences in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences."


My Concluding Thoughts:

Keeping Section 377A has no proven benefits but has been suggested to have more harm than good as in the case of higher increased rates of unprotected sex and STDs mentioned in the research reports.

I therefore propose the government to amend Section 377A so that it can start to impose safe-sex education for homosexuals as well as counselling. I propose the government to not grant any future requests for same-sex marriages and adoptions.

If the government really wants to do something about social health for homosexuals, it should consider removing the abstinence-related law of 377A and start to implement safe-sex education and counselling for homosexuals right away.

Homosexuals are also citizens of Singapore(even though they are in the minority), the government should do its best to ensure their well-being.