Turns Out Abstinence Ed Does Cut Teen Sex

Critics charge approach is ineffective, dangerous

(NEWSER) - Obama's health care reform includes $250 million for abstinence-only sexual education. To receive the funding, programs must teach that abstinence from sexual activity is "the only certain way to avoid out-of-wedlock pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and other associated health problems." They must also tell young people that pre-marital sex is "likely to have harmful psychological and physical effects," CNN notes. More»

Study shows big regional disparities

(NEWSER) - While US teen pregnancy rates are falling overall, some states currently have dramatically higher rates than others, according to a new CDC study—and they just happen to be states emphasizing abstinence-only sex education. In New England, for example, 2008 birth rates stood at less than 25 per 1,000 teens ages 15 to 19. But in Mississippi, Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas, rates run higher than 60 per 1,000 teens. More»

(NEWSER) - Take that, Bristol. The Obama administration seeks to cut most federal funding for abstinence-only sex education programs, the Wall Street Journal reports. Obama's proposed budget for 2010 would scrap two programs that fund abstinence education—with $145 million—and replace them with a $160 million initiative that funnels 75% of the funds to proven, non-abstinence-based education. More»

Celibacy-only programs have little 'positive impact,' study argues

(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. More»

Republicans refuse to debate bill dropping the subject

(NEWSER) - Utah's legislature has passed a bill allowing schools to drop their sex education programs and forbidding any instruction on the use of contraception. The Senate passed the bill Tuesday in a 19-10 vote, the Salt Lake City Tribune reports. Some Democrats spoke up against the bill and asked questions about it, but its sponsor refused to answer. "I think everybody basically knows where they are on this issue," she said. More»