‘Abstinence only’ and ‘Virginity pledges’ are as ineffective as they sound – and more dangerous as well

This Johns Hopkins School of Public Health study shows that not only are ‘Virginity (abstinence) pledges’ ineffective, but they also lead to substantially lower usage of condoms and other forms of birth control.  Other studies have shown that ‘abstinence only’ programs in schools have been ineffective and pointless over the long term.

The obvious medical problem is that with the lack of use of condoms and other forms of birth control, teens are at higher risk for pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.  (And according to the Population Council, abortion rates increase with the non-usage condoms and other forms of birth control.)

Study: ‘Virginity pledges’ are ineffective – Washington Post- msnbc.com

The new analysis of data from a large federal survey found that more than half of youths became sexually active before marriage regardless of whether they had taken a “virginity pledge,” but that the percentage who took precautions against pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases was 10 points lower for pledgers than for non-pledgers.

“Taking a pledge doesn’t seem to make any difference at all in any sexual behavior,” said Janet E. Rosenbaum of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, whose report appears in the January issue of the journal Pediatrics. “But it does seem to make a difference in condom use and other forms of birth control that is quite striking.”

Related articles by Zemanta

• Religious right “virginity pledges” do not work
• Abstinence programs still don’t work

No related posts.