To review recent literature on medical accuracy, program effectiveness, and ethical concerns related to abstinence-only policies for adolescent sexuality education. These programs are required to withhold information on contraception and condom use, except for information on failure rates. Abstinence-only curricula have been found to contain scientifically inaccurate information, distorting data on topics such as condom efficacy, and promote gender stereotypes. An independent evaluation of the federal program, several systematic reviews, and cohort data from population-based surveys find little evidence of efficacy and evidence of possible harm. In contrast, comprehensive sexuality education programs have been found to help teens delay initiation of intercourse and reduce sexual risk behaviors. Abstinence-only polices violate the human rights of adolescents because they withhold potentially life-saving information on HIV and other STIs. Federal support of abstinence-only as an approach to adolescent sexuality education is of much concern due to medical inaccuracies, lack of effectiveness, and the withholding and distorting of health information.
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Introduction
Even teens who have had sex before are making a commitment to be abstinent. Abstinence means that you are not having sexual intercourse. Sex can be vaginal, oral or anal.
Why might you choose abstinence?
W hen you send your child off to school, you expect her to learn math, literature and science. Maybe some athletics thrown in for good measure. What most parents don't count on, however, is for their kids to be told that condoms cause cancer and that women get cervical cancer because of "promiscuity". Or that "each time a sexually active person gives that most personal part of himself or herself away, that person can lose a sense of personal value and worth.
Abstinence AB-stih-nints is the simplest form of birth control. If two people don't have sex, sperm can't fertilize an egg and there's no possibility of pregnancy. Other forms of birth control:. A person doesn't have to be a virgin to practice abstinence. Sometimes, someone who has been having sex decides to stop doing so. A person who has been having sex can still choose abstinence to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases STDs in the future. Abstinence is the only form of birth control that always prevents pregnancy. Practicing abstinence ensures that a girl will not become pregnant because there is no chance for sperm to fertilize an egg.
