I admit I was tempted to go with a sleazy subject title after reading this article on abstinence, but reason prevailed. Can’t say the same for our fellow lawmakers.
Abstinence-only sex education programs, a major plank in President George W. Bush�s education plan, have had no impact on teenagers� behavior in his home state of Texas, according to a new study.
Despite taking courses emphasizing abstinence-only themes, teenagers in 29 high schools became increasingly sexually active, mirroring the overall state trends, according to the study conducted by researchers at Texas A&M University…
The federal government is expected to spend about $130 million to fund programs advocating abstinence in 2005, despite a lack of evidence that they work, Pruitt said.
The study showed about 23 percent of ninth-grade girls, typically 13 to 14 years old, had sex before receiving abstinence education. After taking the course, 29 percent of the girls in the same group said they had had sex.
Boys in the tenth grade, about 14 to 15 years old, showed a more marked increase, from 24 percent to 39 percent, after receiving abstinence education.
Abstinence-only programs, which have sprouted up in schools across the nation, cannot offer information about birth control and must promote the social and health benefits of abstaining from sex.
Which is why an abstinence only program doesn’t work. Knowledge is power. Teach a kid that abstinence is cool, but don’t be stupid and also tell them about condoms. No one wants to be a grandparent in their thirties.