Abstinence Only Vs. Comprehensive Sexuality Education PART II: What is the difference?

Two Forms of Sex Education Abstinence-Only Abstinence-Only Comprehensive Comprehensive

Abstinence-Only - Abstinence-Only - Focuses on teaching young people that abstaining from sex until marriage is the best means of ensuring that they avoid infection with HIV, other STDs and unintended pregnancies. Abstinence, Sex Education and HIV Prevention ( ) Comprehensive – Stresses that abstinence is the only way to completely prevent STD’s and pregnancy, but also provides information about safer sex and communication so that teens that choose to be sexually active will have the tools they need to be safe. Crooks, R & Baur, K., p

Which method is BEST? One of the ways in which the debate between supporters of abstinence and comprehensive approaches to sex education has been framed is in terms of which is the most effective.

EVIDENCE “There is good evidence, from programs that were implemented in the US, UK and Europe that prove comprehensive sex education can reduce behaviors that put young people at risk of HIV, STDs and unintended pregnancy.” “Studies have repeatedly shown too that this kind of sex education does not lead to the earlier onset of sexual activity among young people and, in some cases, will even lead to it happening later.” Abstinence, Sex Education and HIV Prevention ( )

EVIDENCE cont.. Comprehensive sex education is also age appropriate, developmentally appropriate, introducing information on relationship, decision making assertiveness, and skill building to resist social/peer pressure, depending on grade level. Information is also medically accurate when dealing with contraceptives. Advocates for Youth

EVIDENCE As part of welfare reform, Congress passed legislation in 1996 $50 million in federal funds for abstinence-until-marriage programs – which censor information about contraceptives. The abstinence programs receive about $158 million a year from the federal Department of Health and Human Services.

Since then, despite no evidence of the effectiveness of these programs and Americans opposition to federal funding for them, the government has dumped more and more taxpayer money into unrealistic and unproven abstinence-only programs.

PROFESSIONALS Today, youth face serious health issues and too often encounter barriers to the information and services that they need! Today, youth face serious health issues and too often encounter barriers to the information and services that they need!

PARENTS When parents talk to and affirm the value of their children, young people are more likely to develop positive, healthy attitudes about themselves. When parents talk to and affirm the value of their children, young people are more likely to develop positive, healthy attitudes about themselves. “ Research shows that positive communication between parents and their children can help young people establish individual values and make healthy decisions.” “ Research shows that positive communication between parents and their children can help young people establish individual values and make healthy decisions.” Advocates for Youth, 2008

“According to Barbara Huberman, RN, MEd, Director of Education and Outreach for Advocates for Youth, parents who act on the belief that young people have the right to accurate sexuality information are parents whose teens will delay the intuition of intimacy and use contraceptives when they choose to become sexually active.”

POLICY MAKERS Youth want accurate information and answers to their questions. Youth want accurate information and answers to their questions. They want respect and to be taken seriously. They want respect and to be taken seriously.

“Research continues to show that comprehensive sex education, which teaches both abstinence and contraception, is most effective for young people.”

“Youth who receive this kind of education are more likely to initiate sexual activity later in life and use protection correctly and consistently when they do become sexually active.”

Evaluations of comprehensive sex education programs show that these programs: Delay the onset of sexual activity Delay the onset of sexual activity Reduce frequency of sexual activity Reduce frequency of sexual activity Reduce number of sexual partners Reduce number of sexual partners Increases contraceptive use Increases contraceptive use Advocates for Youth, 2008

Importantly, the evidence shows that these programs do not encourage teens to become sexually active. RESPONSIBLE SEX EDUCATION PROGRAMS WORK!!