Bristol Palin: "Everyone Should be Abstinent"

What Bristol really said that the media failed to report

By Scott Phelps

Unfortunately, many media outlets chose to headline one phrase out of context rather than giving fair representation of the teenager’s comments.  What Bristol Palin really said was:  “Kids should just wait…. I think everyone should be abstinent…”  She continues, “but it’s not realistic at all because it’s more and more accepted now.”

In a two-part interview with Fox News’ Greta Van Susteren, on February 16th and 17th, 2009, Bristol Palin openly shared her thoughts about teen pregnancy and the challenges of caring for her newborn son while expressing support for abstinence among teens.

The Associated Press, among others, ran with the banner: Palin’s Daughter Says Abstinence “Not Realistic.” However, Bristol was actually encouraging kids to choose abstinence, and expressing concern that there is very little support for abstinence today.

Bristol hopes that stories like hers will help deter teens from sex – that is – choose abstinence.  When asked if she would have preferred to wait a year or two, she responds by saying it would be better to wait 10 years.  “Because it's so much easier if you're married and if you have a house and a career and -- it's just so much easier,” explained Bristol.

Bristol’s comments illustrate the need for increased support of the abstinence message for teens.  It is indeed a high standard, but a message that teens needs to hear.  The media would better serve America’s youth by choosing to highlight Bristol Palin’s actual message that in spite of today’s many pressures, “waiting for marriage” is the best choice for today’s teens.

Scott Phelps is the Executive Director of A&M Partnership and author of several popular abstinence curricula including AC Green's Game Plan, Navigator, Aspire, Quest, and Excel.