OPINION:
For the past half-century academic figures possessing glib tongues and myopic minds have advised credulous children that restrained behavior is repressive and acting against one’s impulse yields unprofitable frustration. This childish notion is a reflection of shallow thinking and blind ignorance, not superior intellect.
Consider a simple question: What distinguishes the law-abiding citizen from the criminal? The former tells themselves, “No, I cannot take that commodity from another by force or inflict pain on another to gain pleasure for myself.” In contrast, the criminal acts upon impulse, absent consideration of consequence to others.
Up to one-third of some prison populations are sexual criminals. Neither rape nor sex-related murders are unheard of in our society. Young people molested by others are psychologically scarred for life. Sex trafficking and exploitation of young girls is a rampant, worldwide criminal enterprise. Young boys are kidnapped and enslaved in sexual servitude (or abused and killed). Millions of fatherless children suffer resultant disadvantage. Marriages based only upon transient sexual attraction routinely fail.
When the antics of Jeffrey Epsein, Harvey Weinstein and other prominent people are reported publicly, society gasps. We inherently realize these behaviors are wrong. But why are such extreme examples required for us to confess the obvious?
The need for sexual self-control should be clear, but is not. Society implicitly tells teenagers experiencing raging hormones to have at it. Puberty introduces hormonal impulses which may seem overwhelming, accosting a teen’s psyche day and night. Yes, containing one’s sexual impulses within reasonable bounds presents a challenge, but let’s look at the alternative: unwanted pregnancies blocking one’s educational opportunities, enslavement to behaviors previously described. Working toward self-control is a necessary objective for every truly socialized individual.
That our educational system advocates self-destructive foolishness and takes an anti-God, anti-Christ stance (and calls doing so “science”) is preposterous.
FRANK GARDINER
North Provo, Utah
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