Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Abstinence Education: Assessing the Evidence

What we all know in our gut but aren't told by anyone else. from Heritage.org:
Studies have shown that abstinent teens report, on average, better psychological well-being and higher academic achievement than those who are sexually active.[4] Delaying the initiation of or reducing early sexual activity among teens can decrease their overall exposure to risks of unwed childbearing, STDs, and psycho-emotional harm. Authentic abstinence programs are therefore crucial to efforts aimed at reducing unwed childbearing and improving youth well-being.
Opponents of abstinence education contend that these programs fail to influence teen sexual behav­ior. At this stage, the available evidence supports neither this assessment nor the wholesale dismissal of authentic abstinence education programs.
(full article)

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