Abstinence programs an utter failure?

Question

You heard right, sports fans!

According to a federal report released Friday (Impacts of Abstinence Education Programs), youth in the program group were no more likely than control group youth to have abstained from sex and, among those who reported having had sex, they had similar numbers of sexual partners and had initiated sex at the same mean age.

Participants were a cross-section of middle class, two-parent, white, non-Hispanic, and poor African-American and Hispanic, in both urban and rural settings. Of 2,057 youths, 1,029 were assigned to the program group and 848 to the control group.

The survey was given after 4-6 participation in the study. Avg. age 16.5

"After 10 years and $1.5 billion in public funds these failed abstinence-only-until-marriage programs will go down as an ideological boondoggle of historic proportions," said James Wagoner, president of Advocates for Youth.

Are we finally ready to accept the need for unlimited access to contraception?

Link to study: http://www.mathematica-mpr.com/publications/PDFs/impactabstinence.pdf

The USA has the highest teen pregnancy rate in the world; 9 times higher than the Netherlands, where they take sex education and contraception seriously!

Locutus...my question was not so much a slam at the Bush administration as a reality wake-up call regarding teen pregnancies (and related abortions and STDs).

The Netherlands puts us to shame, because they don't try to pretend teens won't have sex.

Answer 1

I moved to Europe six months ago, and I am astonished at how my opinions have changed from seeing the stark contrast between America and Europe.

Here in Prague, a 15 year old kid can usually get a beer in some pub, even though it's technically against the law. It's no big thing to drink, so when he turns 21 (yikes! It used to be only 18), he doesn't go on a wild drinking binge as we used to in college because liquor was forbidden and therefore oh so tempting.

Teen pregnancy does not seem to be much of a problem here either. People use common sense and condoms.

It wasn't until I came to Europe that I realized there was an entirely different way of looking at things. For example, a movie like "American Pie" has less of an impact here because guys here are exposed to sex early. Hence, seeing a naked girl is no big deal. He's seen naked women at the swimming pool, at the beach, and other places. A movie like "Porkeys" would be absolutely ludicrous to a European.

The problem with America is that we try to make everything too perfect, and in the process we make the problem worse.

Answer 2

lol, h'okay. Teens had just as much sex back then, you just didn't HEAR about the ones who got pregnant because they were sent away. They disappeared, were removed from school and sent somewhere to have the kid. Abstinence has never worked, ever. It fails because it's not a valid form of education. The 1950's, 1940's, 1930's, etc. was nothing like we fantasize it was today. My grandparents are the "model" Christian couple, been together 53 years (married IN the 50's), and yet I know for a FACT that they had premarital sex and a pregnancy scare the week of the wedding.

Answer 3

And your point is??? Yep it's true, kids are gonna mess around without caring about the consequences. They did it 30 years ago when I was that age probably since the dawn of time. Each new generation thinks they are smarter than their parents and that "we are different". What is sad and alarming is the non-use of protection. We knew haw to use condoms 30 years ago and they know how to use them today. Free condom programs have had no affect either on the spread of STD's and Teen Age Pregnancy.
Though none of us probably practiced the abstinence program (I didn't). But you can't argue with the results if you were abstinent.
If you don't have Sex, you can't get a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD).
And if you don't have sex, it's pretty darn tough to get pregnant.
So abstinence programs may not work well. Neither has education and learning to put on a condom and getting free one's.
If it's your kid, which way do you want them to adopt???

Answer 4

When we quote teen pregnancy rates in America- please remember that girls who are 18 and 19 are included in those numbers. Many girls are married at that age- so there is nothing wrong with them being pregnant. So really we should be comparing ages. Also we should be comparing ages of when girls in America are married versus girls in other countries.

The other thing is if we are to trust your study- it shows that in most cases over 50% of teens chose abstinence. And in most cases, those choosing absitinence were in the majority. So even according to your survey- the majority of teens are practicing abstinence. you are right the programs are not having an impact- but this study did state that teens who had a strong peer group with similar values and a commitment to remain celebate were much more likely to remain celebate themselves. My parents always said- safety in numbers. So really it is important for parents to teach their kids to find others who share similar values. Also I don't believe that schools are really the places for kids to be learning values they should be learning values at home.

Answer 5

Yes, as we knew they would be. Kids will have sex. Period. Do we arm them with the tools they need to protect themselves or do we preach to them? "Just say no" has NEVER worked and will never work.

The Netherlands is one of many countries that "have it right". Not only do they have access to excellent sex education and free contraception, they have a strong safety net for those who do get pregnant. Not only do they have one of the lowest teen pregnancy rates in the Western world, they have one of the lowest abortion rates. When will people wake up and realize that what we are doing obviously isn't working. I won't hold my breath...

Answer 6

As long as we stick to the puritanistic attitudes in the US we will continue to have high teen pregnancy rates. Parents need to put their teens on birth control but won't do it because it might encourage the kid to have sex-well guess what -they are having sex. They need no more encouragement than thier bodies are giving them right now. When we grow up as a nation we will put these unready teens on birth control at 12 and not have to worry so much about thier sex lives.

Answer 7

If it had the exact same results as regular sex ed classes then they must also be utter failures. You of all people should know than when you are struggling to change a failing culture that results come slowly. Accelerating is easier than stopping.

Answer 8

They are a failure. They only work till you screw. People having being screwing forever. Why not allow birth control and safe sex? Because the conservatives believe it isn't moral to talk about sex. Unless of course they are engaged in some extra martial affairs or some homoerotic behavior.
They are no more than morally flexible hypocrites.

Answer 9

In addition, over 263 reports submitted by various conservative social groups had to be disqualified from this study due to manipulation and incorrect procedures. NPR

Answer 10

Umm do you think kids listen when health teachers drone on about no sex no sex.... of course not... anyone who can see how many teen pregnancies there are can see that.... yes I think it is a woman's right to do with her body what she wants to do