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Sex Abstinence Programs Fail
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by publicreader | April 15, 2007 at 07:07 am
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A new report from the nonpartisan Mathematica Policy Institute concludes that sex abstinence education programs do not make teenagers grow fonder. In fact, the programs have no effect at all.
The U.S. Congress commissioned the study in an attempt to determine whether the $176 million the programs cost taxpayers annually is worth the expense. An abstinence program teaches children to postpone sexual intercourse before marriage.
Children who took part in sex abstinence classes were found to be just as likely to engage in sexual intercourse for the first time at the same age as children who did not receive these classes, say researchers from Mathematica Policy Research Inc, in a study the US Congress had ordered. According this latest research, teenagers first had sex at the age of 14.9 years, regardless of whether they attended sex abstinence classes.
This study examined four abstinence programs and compared students who took part in the programs for as long as three years at age 11 and 12. The children were first studied in 1999 and then followed up in 2005-6. The age of first intercourse was no different from that of kids who did not participate. Nor did the participating students gain more awareness of the dangers of unprotected sex than their nonparticipating counterparts.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (3)
at 08:43 on April 15th, 2007
Correctly phrased it would say "Sex Abstinence Programs tried to date, and researched by this report have failed"
You make it sound as if there is no chance that any program will ever succeed, yet we don't know that till we try many many different types and even then the word "all" will not be appropriate.
Just look at the past teen pregnancy rates, they have risen, despite more available and more effective birth control, why ?
"Planned Parenthood Fails"
"How to Use Birth Control Programs Fail"
"Sixties Free Love plan Fails"
"Secretary of Education Fails"
"Increased age on drinking Fails"
"Sexual Revolution Fails"
"Girls Gone Wild succeeds"
"Sex Drugs and Rock-n-Roll Succeeds"
"Free abortions program Fails"
Who get's abortions, who cares, but it didn't stop there from being unwed teen mothers. Should we end that program?
Something was working better at one point. Now I'm not suggesting turning the clock back, but maybe another report will be more helpful.
This report is so close to meaningless.
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aday (not verified)at 07:04 on November 17th, 2008
chazzzz everything you say is ridiculous, abstinence only just makes kids want to have sex anyway
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aday (not verified)at 07:05 on November 17th, 2008
chazzzz everything you say is ridiculous, abstinence only just makes kids want to have sex anyway