ABSTINENCE PROGRAMS: DO THEY REALLY WORK? By: Marissa Kolenda

“There is a great deal of political pressure to only talk about abstinence, and to deny support for condoms and education on using them. This policy will lead to the unnecessary deaths of many people” –Hilary Clinton

Background Information  In 2008, teen pregnancy and childbirth accounted for nearly $11 billion per year in costs to U.S. taxpayers for increased health care and foster care, increased incarceration rates among children of teen parents, and lost tax revenue because of lower educational attainment and income among teen mothers.  In 2011, a total of 329,797 babies were born to women aged 15–19 years.  Only about 50% of teen mothers receive a high school diploma by 22 years of age, versus approximately 90% of women who had not given birth during adolescence.  The children of teenage mothers are more likely to have lower school achievement and drop out of high school, have more health problems, be incarcerated at some time during adolescence, give birth as a teenager, and face unemployment as a young adult.

Outline  2 types of Abstinence Programs  Definition of each program  Argument  Refutation  Oppositions  Summary  Sources

2 types of Abstinence Programs  ‘Abstinence Only’  Abstinence plus Contraceptive Education

‘Abstinence Only’ Programs  Were the first form of any type of abstinence program  Have been around for years  Are solely based on ‘abstinence only’ education  Don’t encourage the use of contraceptives nor teach contraceptive education

Abstinence ‘Plus’ Programs  Teach the same idea that abstinence is key  Teach contraceptive education if teenagers choose to participate in pre- marital sex  Newer form of abstinence education  A lot of people object to this type of educational program  Are being taught more and more in schools across the United States

Argument  ‘Abstinence Only’ programs don’t seem to be cutting it anymore in today’s society  “Studies have indicated that abstinence- only programs may end up deterring contraceptive use among teens who do have sex, whereas teenagers who have been taught a comprehensive sex ed curriculum are “60 percent less likely” to become pregnant or get someone else pregnant (Raw Story)”

Argument Continued  Students who participated in sexual abstinence programs were just as likely to have sex within a few years as those who did not, according to a long-awaited study mandated by Congress.  Clear evidence and statistics prove that ‘Abstinence Only’ programs have become ineffective in preventing teenage pregnancies as well as keeping them at a minimum

Refutation  Abstinence Programs plus contraceptive education seem to be the most effective type of abstinence program today in society  This type of program is becoming more and more popular throughout the United States  “The state with the lowest rate of teen pregnancies is New Hampshire, which requires comprehensive sex ed in schools that includes information about condoms and other forms of birth control in addition to abstinence”

Refutation Continued  Congress has approved more funding for this type of abstinence program in hopes that they can continue to decrease teen pregnancy rates  “The current rate of teen pregnancies, about 35 per 1,000 girls between the ages of 15 and 19, is the lowest on record since the CDC began to track these statistics in 1940”

Oppositions  Parents feel that teaching children an ‘Abstinence Plus’ program will only encourage them to engage in premarital sex  Some government officials and critics argue that this type of ‘plus’ program is against most religions and shouldn’t be taught  Others feel that this type of program is exactly what America needs

Summary  ‘Abstinence Only’ programs don’t seem to be efficient enough for today’s society  ‘Abstinence Plus’ programs are the most effective type of program and need to be taught everywhere  Statistics and various studies prove that the ‘plus’ programs are the better options—not the ‘abstinence only’

Sources  "Abstinence Programs not effective, Study Finds." Fox News Health. 13 Apr Mar  Ferguson, David. "States with 'Abstinence Only' sex ed programs rank highest in teen pregnancy." The Raw Story. 11 Apr Mar  Turner, Rachel. "New Study Shows Abstinence Education Effective." Life News. 30 Mar Mar  Clinton, Hillary. "Hilary Clinton Quotes." Brainy Quote Apr