Ethics Newsline®

“At present there does not exist any strong evidence that any abstinence program delays the initiation of sex, hastens the return to abstinence, or reduces the number of sexual partners” among teenagers.

– Text from a new study from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, a nonpartisan group that analyzed research into teens’ sexual behavior. Unlike abstinence-only programs, comprehensive programs supporting both abstinence and contraception “were having ‘positive outcomes’ including teenagers ‘delaying the initiation of sex, reducing the frequency of sex, reducing the number of sexual partners and increasing condom or contraceptive use,’ ” according to the report.