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Why Abstinence Education Works
By: Family First Staff
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 What Are the Dangers of Teen Sex?

According to a recent article published by The Heritage Foundation ("The Effectiveness of Abstinence Education Programs in Reducing Sexual Activity Among Youth"), Robert Rector writes that sexually active teens are at high risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and pregnancy, as well as emotional and psychological wounds.

In fact, the Alan Guttmacher Institute reports that 3 million teens contract an STD each year -- some of which have no cure, are a leading cause of cervical cancer or can even lead to infertility. A one-time exposure to one of these diseases can have irreversible consequences.

Emotional and psychological problems include guilt, anxiety, low self-esteem and the compounded heartbreak that follows the end of such an intimate relationship. And picture the teen who is unaware of her STD -- one day she might face the emotional devastation of infertility, only to discover her latent virus after it's too late.

And in a study published in the Journal of Marriage and the Family, people who engage in premarital sex are nearly 50 percent more likely to divorce.  According to Rector's article:

"…early sexual activity can negatively affect the ability of young people to form stable and healthy relationships in a later marriage. Sexual relationships among teenagers are fleeting and unstable, and broken intimate relationships can have serious long-term developmental effects. A series of broken intimate relationships can undermine an individual's capacity to enter into a committed, loving marital relationship."

What About Traditional "Safe Sex" Programs?

Programs that do not solely promote abstinence (and are often disguised as "abstinence-based" or "abstinence-plus") are likely to instruct teens on the use of condoms and "implicitly condone sexual activity among teens," according to Rector.

However, Rector's research has found startling statistics in the ineffectual use of condoms against certain STDs. Condoms offer little protection against herpes and a 15-30% failure rate against the HIV virus. However, the condom provides no protection against one of the most dangerous and quickly spreading viruses, the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Because HPV is spread through skin-to-skin contact, not fluids, the only truly "safe sex" practice against this virus is abstinence.

Why Abstinence-Only Education?

True abstinence education programs seek to keep teens safe both now and to prepare them for future marital commitment. In light of the physical and emotional consequences that teens may face from premarital sex, the traditional "safe sex" program just isn't the safety net that its proponents would have people think.

In contrast to safe sex programs, Rector states, "true abstinence programs help young people develop an understanding of commitment, fidelity and intimacy that will serve them well as the foundations of healthy marital life in the future."

What Are the Options?

Rector's article outlines 10 different abstinence education programs that have been shown in studies to reduce sexual activity.

Virginity Pledge Programs/ Virginity Pledge Movement -- These programs involve teens taking a formal pledge of virginity, usually at a public school or church event, and seem to have the greatest impact on youth.

Rector found that data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health shows that students who have made an abstinence pledge are a third less likely to engage in sexual activity than their peers who did not make the pledge. And, parents, here is where you fit in. Rector states that, "When taking a virginity pledge is combined with strong parental disapproval of sexual activity, the probability of initiation of sexual activity is reduced by 75 percent or more."

True Love Waits (truelovewaits.com) is an example of a church-based virginity pledge program that has proven itself for the last 10 years. Abstinence Clearinghouse (abstinence.net) provides lists of school-based programs.

Not Me, Not Now -- Based in Monroe County, New York, this program is a media campaign promoting abstinence through TV, radio, billboards and posters. This program also provides an informative website and resources for parents. Visit notmenotnow.org for more information.

Family Accountability Communicating Teen Sexuality (FACTS) -- This character-based abstinence program provides numerous curriculum resources (www.facts.cc).

Postponing Sexual Involvement (PSI) -- This extremely successful program began in Atlanta, Georgia through The Center for Adolescent Reproductive Health at Grady Memorial Hospital and was provided to low-income students.

Project Taking Charge -- This six-week curriculum was specifically designed for low-income communities with high rates of teen pregnancy. Topics include self-development, sexual biology, vocational goal-setting, family communication and the importance of delaying sexual activity until marriage.

Teen-Aid Family Life Education Project -- This curriculum program has also experienced much success. Their website offers numerous online resources for parents, teachers and teens, including a printable abstinence pledge card. Be sure to visit their links page which lists dozens of resources for abstinence education, character education and resources for faith-based organizations. Visit them at www.teen-aid.org.

 Other Abstinence Programs -- Operation Keepsake, Cleveland, Ohio; Abstinence by Choice, Little Rock, Arkansas; Teen Aid and Sex Respect programs in Utah.

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