Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

September 7, 2008 12:33:07 AM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Abstinence Ed. Isn't Slowing Teen Sex

Posted Nov 7, 07 1:17 PM CST in US,  Arts & Living,  Science & Health 

(Newser) – Abstinence-only sex-education courses funded by the federal government are no match for teenage libido, according to a new study from a non-partisan group seeking to reduce teen pregnancy. The study found such programs had less “positive impact” than more comprehensive curricula, the AP reports, and dismissed as myth the idea that teaching about contraceptives increases promiscuity.

The study defined delayed sex, less-frequent sex, and safer sex as positive outcomes; it also found that comprehensive programs increased teens' awareness of the risks of sex. The study comes as Congress considers a bill to provide $141 million for abstinence-only programs. The report’s author wrote some of the studies he reviewed, the AP notes, and works for a company offering recommended programs.

Source Associated Press

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Abstinence Campaign Targets Parents

    Jun 1, 08 6:17 AM CDT
    Abstinence Campaign Targets Parents Abstinence-based sex-ed advocates have launched a campaign to rally a million parents to support the method, the Washington Post reports. The $1-million Parents for Truth campaign has sent e-mails pushing the approach to some 30,000 supporters and parents, with plans to to contact 100,000 more this week. The group hopes parents will lobby local schools and elect officials to support a focus on abstinence. More »

  • Falling Teen Sex Rates Stall

    Jul 24, 07 4:57 AM CDT
    Falling Teen Sex Rates Stall After steadily dropping for a decade, the US teenage sex rate leveled off in 2001 and has stalled there since, according to a government study. What caused the halt in the trend is unclear, but it coincides with the beginning of increased funding for abstinence-only sex education and may reflect more relaxed attitudes among teens to the dangers of AIDS. More »

  • States Say No to Abstinence Programs

    Jul 18, 07 6:27 AM CDT
    States Say No to Abstinence Programs School sex education programs that concentrate on abstinence are under threat despite years of federal funding for organizations like Virginity Rules, the New York Times reports. Eleven states have rejected abstinence education in the last year and Congress cut program funding for the first time since 2001. A study of abstinence education found no indication that it delayed a first sexual encounter. More »

  • Teens Having Safer Sex, Fewer Babies

    Jul 13, 07 4:55 PM CDT
    Teens Having Safer Sex, Fewer Babies High school students are having less sex than kids in the past, and more are using condoms. The teen birth rate is at an all-time low, and the proportion of teens completing high school is up. A new federal report looks at the condition of Americans under 18 and finds a number of bright spots—and areas that need work. More »

Programs that teach only abstinence have little effect on sexual practices of teenagers, a study shows.   (Shutterstock)
Bush's abstinence-only programs haven't always pleased everyone -- witness demonstrators at the 2004 National STD Conference.   (Getty Images)
Methods of Family Planning   (Earth Explorer)
CONCORD, N.C.-- President George W. Bush glances over at children involved in Concord Middle School's Battle of the Books program Wednesday afternoon, April 11, 2001. Bush's abstinence-only sexual education...   (KRT Photos)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (1 of 1)

Tags

pregnancy  • teenagers  • sex education  • abstinence  • safe sex  • abstinence education


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular


Other Science & Health Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »