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Abstinence-Only-Until Marriage Programs

There is no scientific evidence that abstinence-only-until-marriage programs—those that censor information about contraception—are effective.

On the other hand, research continues to show that comprehensive sex education, which teaches both abstinence and contraception, is most effective for young people. Youth who receive this kind of education are more likely to initiate sexual activity later in life and use protection correctly and consistently when they do become sexually active. Evaluations of comprehensive sex education programs show that these programs can delay the onset of sexual activity, reduce the frequency of sexual activity, reduce the number of sexual partners, and increase condom and contraceptive use. Importantly, the evidence shows that these programs do not encourage teens to become sexually active. In short, responsible sex education programs can work!

What you should know

• The History of Federal Abstinence—Only Funding
• Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Programs: Ineffective, Unethical, and Poor Public Health
• The Truth About Abstinence-Only Programs
• 8-Point Definition of Abstinence-Only Education As Defined By Section 510(b) of Title V of the Social Security Act, P.L. 104-193
• Sex Education Programs: Definitions & Point-by-Point Comparison
• Five Years of Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Education: Assessing the Impact
• Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Education: Abandoning Responsibility to GLBTQ Youth
• Decline in Teenage Pregnancy Rates Precedes Abstinence-Only Funding
• Does Politics Trump Science In Washington?
• Ignoring the Stop Signs on Abstinence-Only Funding
• Stop Government Funding of Ineffective and Dangerous Abstinence-only Programs!
• Top Five Reasons to Abandon Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Programs
• Community-Based Abstinence Education

What Advocates says about Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Programs

• Teens Need Information, Not Censorship—Remarks by James Wagoner
• Common Sense: America's Youth and Sexual Health—Speech by Jennifer, Youth Activist
• Sex education approaches aren't mutually exclusive—Letter to the Editor by Sarah Audelo

What others are saying about Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Programs

• 10-Year Government Evaluation Finds Abstinence-Only Programs Have No Impact on Teen Behavior
  • Read the Report: Impact of Four Title V, Section 510 Abstinence Education Programs - Final Report
• Leading Medical Association Rejects Abstinence-Only Policies
  • Read the review: Abstinence and abstinence-only education: A review of U.S. policies and programs
• The Waxman Report Shows "Just Say No" Programs Ineffective & Inaccurate
  • Read the Waxman Report
• 77 Organizations Urge President Bush to Withdraw Support for Abstinence-Only Programs
• Americans Oppose Abstinence-Only Education Censoring Information on Contraception

Join our Campaigns to fight Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Programs

• Rights. Respect. Responsibility.® Campaign
• The Rights. Respect. Responsibility.®Fix the GAP Campaign—Stop U.S. Exportation of Abstinence-Only Programs
• The Rights. Respect. Responsibility.® Keep it REAL Campaign—End Censorship in America's Schools

Advocates' Publications on Abstinence-Only Programs:

• UPDATED! Adolescent Protective Behaviors: Abstinence and Contraceptive Use (The Facts) [html] [pdf]
• The Controversy over Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Programs (Transitions) [html] [pdf]
• Toward a Sexually Healthy America: Roadblocks Imposed by the Federal Government's Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Education Program [pdf]

Related Topics

• Adolescent Sexual Behavior
• Comprehensive Sex Education
• The Responsible Education About Life Act