Should 'Abstinence-Only' Sex-Ed be Taught in Public Schools?

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The number of students who are sexually active is at an all-time low and the number of pregnant teens is at a 65 year low. Granted some teens are using contraceptives, but a major portion of the reduction of sexual activity is due to abstinence according to the Centers for Disease Control data analysis. In the 1980s, over a million teenagers got pregnant each year, and now only three quarters of a million teens (this is a 25% reduction) get pregnant each year.

Second, there has been researched demonstration abstinence projects for over 25 years, showing increase in knowledge about sexual development, sexually transmitted diseases, consequences of teen pregnancy and out-of-wedlock childbearing as well as positive increases in communication with parents and trusted adults. These programs changes in knowledge and attitudes, and even behaviors have not been highlighted by peer-reviewed journals, who have already taken a political stand on the issue of contraceptive access and education. One must realize that peer-reviewed journals have editorial policy as well as a constituency that make their living in dispensing contraception, researching contraception and sexually transmitted disease screening or treatment.

The level of "proof" required of programs, puts abstinence education on an unlevel playing field. Contraceptive programs measure effectiveness by whether students increase their use of contraceptives or condoms at last intercourse. By contrast abstinence programs are expected to prove that one or two classroom session in middle school will have a lasting effect through age 20 and beyond. Considering the sexualization of the culture, the message in the skills need to be reinforced my parents and by schools annually. Young people will strive to meet the standards that are set for them.

The increased funding under the Community-Based Abstinence Education projects has required a follow-up on change of behavior among teens who participate in the programs. That research has shown a decrease in sexual activity, and in the number of partners. Considering that the Centers for Disease Control says that one in four teenagers has a sexually transmitted diseases, with 40% of the sexually active being infected, decreasing the number of partners is important. Also, considering that virtually all sex education in public high schools today already teach the importance of using condoms if one is not abstinent.