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Why Are Abstinence Programs In Schools Effective

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Why Are Abstinence Programs In Schools Effective
Running head: Abstinence Programs in Schools are Ineffective

Abstinence Programs in Schools are Ineffective

Abstinence Programs in Schools are Ineffective
The issue of sex education in schools has been a debate among parents, school administrators, health officials, and religious organizations for years. We all know that the safest sex is no sex at all, yet we continue to engage in that activity. If we are not, then we are thinking about it, planning on doing so in the future, or being bombarded by it in the media. Abstinence-only sex education persuades teens to wait until marriage before having sex, but totally ignores all other aspects of comprehensive sexual education, like safe sex and the use of contraceptives and birth control ("Truth About Abstinence-Only Programs," n.d.). Abstinence-only programs are not effective at delaying sexual activity, preventing unwanted pregnancy, or reducing Sexual Transmitted Diseases (STD’s).
According to the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SEICUS), since 1981 the federal government has funded abstinence-only-until-marriage programs, even though scientific research has shown that …show more content…
Researchers also found that receiving information about birth control in formal sex education was associated with a 50% lower risk of teen pregnancy when compared to receiving information only on abstinence (“National Data Shows Comprehensive Sex Education Better at Reducing Teen Pregnancy than Abstinence-Only Programs”, 2008). It also confirmed that talking to young people about birth control does not lead to increased sexual activity or higher STD rates as many critics of comprehensive sexuality education continue to
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