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Breanna Zumbrunnen
Lisa Packer
English 2010
29 September 2016
Abstinence-Only Programs
What are some things you remember learning in your health class or sex education class?
If you dont remember anything, what are your opinions on what students should be taught on
sex education? Abstinence-only programs are effecting teens all around the United States,
especially in the state of Utah. Their sex education is being taught specifically on being abstinent
and waiting for marriage with no explanation on contraceptive use.
Personally, my entire sex education was taught on abstinence-only, and fortunately I had family
members who did teach me about contraceptive use, but many teens arent so lucky. When teens
arent being taught proper contraceptive use, this is strictly not fair to the teen and abusing their
rights on sex education. Many teachers across the United States believe that student deserves to
know how to practice safe sex, because it is something that is happening whether we teach
strictly on abstinence-only or contraceptive use. Todd Summers stated on his paper called The
Consequences of Abstinence-Only Programs:

The ineffectiveness of abstinence-only programs has been proven time and time
again. Not only are the vast majority of young people ignoring the instructions to
remain abstinent, they are then venturing into the world of sexual activity with no
idea of how to conduct themselves responsibly. The best result that abstinenceonly education can boast is that it keeps a small number of students from having

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sex for up to 18 months longer than other students. However, when that minority
becomes sexually active, they are 30% less likely to use any kind of
contraception. They also are less likely to seek any kind of sexual health care,
including STD testing and womens health care. Across the board, abstinenceonly programs have been shown to be ineffective in delaying, reducing, or
preventing teens from becoming parents or contracting sexually transmitted
diseases. (Summers 3)

When he wrote this he was studying sex education and the outcomes of the different ways
students are taught this subject. He mentions that it is true that abstinence only programs have
been proven over and over again of their ineffectiveness. They do not educate the student at all
on their personal health or how to be safe when they come across a situation of sexual
intercourse.
Majority of the curriculum used in abstinence-only programs mix the information about
how important contraceptives are, which misrepresent the risks of abortion, blurs religion and
science, treats gender stereotypes as scientific facts, and contain basic errors based on science,
according to a 2004 report by Government Reform Committee staff. The Government spends
about 1 billion dollars every decade on abstinence-only programs. Studies show that Abstinenceonly education is not effective at delaying the initiation of sexual activity or reducing teen
pregnancy. Contraceptive use (birth control, condom, etc.) has been more effective in the last few
years on preventing pregnancy among teens than abstinence programs have in the last 20 years.

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Figure 1. Source: High Teenage Birthrate Associated with Abstinence-Only Education and Low Income Source. Original Dougal. "Teen
Birthrate vs. Abstinence Only Education." Human Resounces. FAO, n.d. Web. 26 Sept. 2016.

In this picture, you will notice that the lower income states have a higher teenage
birthrate than states with higher incomes. Low income states usually consist of higher drug usage
rates, unhealthy living situations for youth among families, and lower education opportunities
which all play a role on decision making for teens and resources to reduce teen pregnancy. With
growing numbers in abstinence only programs across the United States, the opinions on what
students should be and should not be taught in the education program on this subject stay in
debate. Many ask, is abstinence-only education more effective than a comprehensive sex
education program? Based on a study on debate.org 4% say yes, and 96% say no. One mother on
this website stated:

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I oppose abstinence-only sex education, because empirical data shows that it is
not as effective as comprehensive sex education. Studies have shown that students
who have experienced abstinence-only programs are no less likely than peers who
have received more comprehensive sex ed to engage in sexual behavior. However,
unlike those peers, the abstinence-only group, having not received information
about safe sex, pregnancy prevention, and STDs, has a higher risk of teenage
pregnancy and sexually-transmitted diseases. (Doom 1)

Figure 2. Source: The Consequences of Abstinence-Only Programs. " The Effective Way to Prevent Unsafe Sex Among Teenagers
Comprehensive Sex Education, 23 Apr.. 2015. Web. 26 Sept. 2016.

Comprehensive sexual education teaches students what they deserve to know as well as
provide them with more factual information and better insight on their personal health. Rates of
teen pregnancy are higher in the U.S. than in other developed countries. (U.S. Department of
Health, 1) This quote in a research paper titled Trends in Teen Pregnancy and Childbearing has
been used several times in the research I have found on teen pregnancy rates.

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Work Cited
Stranger-Hall, Kathrin F., and David W. Hall. Abstinence-Only Education and Teen
Pregnancy Rates: Why We Need Comprehensive Sex Education in the U.S. Plus ONE
6.10 (2011): 1-11. Academic Search Premier. Web. 24 Sept. 2016.
Comprehensive Sex Education: Research and Results. Advocates for Youth ,1 Sept
2009. Web. 24 Sept. 2016.
Essert, Matt. The States with the Highest Teenage Birth Rates Have One Thing in
Common. Mic. 15 Sept. 2014. Web. 24 Sept. 2016.
Alford, Sue. Abstinence Only Until Marriage Programs Abstinence Only Ineffective,
Unethical, and Poor Public Health. 23 April 2007. Web. 24 Sept. 2016.
N.A. Trends in Teen Pregnancy and Childbearing U.S Department of Health and
Human Service. 02 June 2016. Web. 24 Sept. 2016.
Doom, Urial. Is Abstinence-only Education Better than a Comprehensive Sex Education
Solution? Sex Education Debate. 15 April 2016. Web. 24 Sept. 2016.
Summers, Todd. The Consequences of Abstinence-Only Programs Comprehensive Sex
Education. 10 July 2016. Web. 24 Sept. 2016.