Well, it is possible to keep extra-marital sex rates very low (they were for much of Western Civ's existance), but the problem is that it requires social conventions and practices of a sort we don't have and wouldn't want.
Eg., no privacy, strictly enforced religious conformity, a high degree of separation of the sexes, and punishments up to and including death for illegitimacy.
Even then you get periodic breakdowns.
In a democratic, religiously pluralist and tolerant, and individualist culture such as our contemporary one, it just can't be done.
From the cited article: ``The only 100 percent way to avoid a car collision is not to drive, but the federal government sure does a lot of advocacy for safety belts,'' said James Wagoner, president of Advocates for Youth, a group that promotes education about birth control and condom use
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Re: M.A.D.D.joyeuse13November 29 2004, 17:40:38 UTC
"Would you quit drinking at parties just because your mom asked you to?"
Ah, but there's a difference. Advocating responsible drinking is different from advocating complete sobriety up until the fictional age of "old enough," or the mutable and uncertain date of your wedding. 21 at least is a real boundary.
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Eg., no privacy, strictly enforced religious conformity, a high degree of separation of the sexes, and punishments up to and including death for illegitimacy.
Even then you get periodic breakdowns.
In a democratic, religiously pluralist and tolerant, and individualist culture such as our contemporary one, it just can't be done.
Yers,
S.M. Stirling
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Ah, but there's a difference. Advocating responsible drinking is different from advocating complete sobriety up until the fictional age of "old enough," or the mutable and uncertain date of your wedding. 21 at least is a real boundary.
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