What is abstinence-only education?

Abstinence refers to the idea of choosing to not have sex. Because a lot of people have different ideas on what sex is, some people may avoid any form of sexual activity and others will avoid penile-vaginal intercourse but still engage in sexual activities like oral sex or anal sex.

Abstinence-Only Education teaches that the only moral and acceptable choice is to abstain from sexual intercourse until marriage. This type of education also emphasizes that abstinence is the only way to avoid pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It does not provide teaching on safe sex practices or contraception. Abstinence-Only Education also teaches that engaging in sexual activity outside of marriage can lead to negative social, psychological, and physical effects. 

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What other forms of sex education are there?

Abstinence-Only Education may also be called Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage, Sexual Risk Avoidance, or Abstinence-Centered. 

Abstinence-Plus education emphasizes abstinence as the preferred choice, but also teaches information on contraception, condoms, and STIs. 

Comprehensive Sex Education covers a broad range of topics. While it also teaches that abstinence is the best way to avoid pregnancy and STIs, it mainly focuses on human development and healthy sexual behaviors. It covers anatomy, reproduction, contraception, condoms, STIs, sexual orientation, consent and relationships. While comprehensive sex education covers all of these topics, it also emphasizes that sexuality is a natural part of life.

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What do studies show about the effectiveness of abstinence-only education?

Studies show that abstinence-only education does not appear to be effective in reducing teen pregnancy or birth rates. In a study done by Kathrin F Stanger Hall and David W Hall, data was analyzed across the nation and they found a positive correlation between the level of abstinence education in the state and teen pregnancy and birth rates. Even after examining influencing factors like socio-economic status, education, and ethnicity, the effect of abstinence education on teen pregnancy rates was still significant. Thus, states that emphasize abstinence only education have higher rates of teen pregnancy than states who emphasize comprehensive sex education.

Image Source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3194801/

References:

Alford, S. (Ed.). (n.d.). Sex Education Programs: Definitions and Point-by-Point Comparison. Retrieved from Advocates for Youth: https://www.advocatesforyouth.org/resources/fact-sheets/sex-education-programs-definitions-and-point-by-point-comparison/

DeJoy, K. P. (2003). Abstinence-Only Education: How We Got Here and Where We're Going. In Journal of Public Health Policy (Vol. 24, pp. 445-459). Palgrave Macmillan Journals. Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org/stable/3343387

Hall, K. S.-H. (2011). Abstinence-only education and teen pregnancy rates: why we need comprehensive sex education in the U.S.

Levand, M. (2019). Abstinence. In Encyclopedia of Sex and Sexuality : Understanding Biology, Psychology, and Culture (pp. 16-17).

Levitz, L. K. (2013). Parents’ views on sex education in schools: How much do Democrats and Republicans agree? 12(7). Retrieved from https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0180250

PBS (Producer). (2019). Sex Ed Programs in Schools [Motion Picture].

Wegmann, J. (2013). It must be true – I read it in Seventeen magazine: US popular culture. In Sex Education (Vol. 13, pp. 494-508).