ADVOCATES FOR YOUTH

New "Study" Blatantly Misrepresents Sexuality Education Programs

Conservative Organization Advocates for Sex Education Programs That Don't Work

WASHINGTON, DC (March 28, 2000) Citing major factual errors, Advocates for Youth's President, James Wagoner, calls a new study on abstinence-only-until-marriage education by the Medical Institute for Sexual Health (MISH) flawed and misleading. The study claims that abstinence-only-until-marriage education—education which censors information about contraception—is the most effective.

"This 'study' is based on misinterpretation of fact and blatant misrepresentation of sexuality education programs," said Wagoner. "In fact, one program that MISH touts as a successful abstinence-only program actually included contraceptive access as a key component for reducing teenage pregnancy. The program, The School/Community Intervention in Denmark, SC, focused both on delaying too-early sexual activity and on providing sexually active young people with contraceptive counseling, services and supplies," he concluded.

Extensive research shows MISH's support for abstinence-only education to be misguided. Studies by UNAIDS and the World Health Organization show that comprehensive sexuality education—which teaches about both abstinence and contraception—is the most effective sexuality education for young people. Those who receive this kind of education are more likely to begin having sex later in life and to use protection correctly and consistently when they do become sexually active.

This is why the American Medical Association (AMA), the American Nurses Association (ANA), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) support comprehensive sexuality education. In fact, the AMA recently urged schools to "implement comprehensive, developmentally appropriate sexuality education programs" as part of an overall health education program.

"Despite expert findings, despite contradictions in their own findings, this and other right-wing organizations want to pour taxpayer dollars into sexuality education programs that censor vital information about contraception—information necessary to help teens avoid unintended pregnancy, HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases," said Wagoner. "Ignorance is nobody's ally in the era of AIDS. What these organizations must realize is that denying young people critical information about contraception is not only naïve and short-sighted, but irresponsible and dangerous," said Wagoner.

Advocates for Youth is calling on policy makers to put ideology aside and increase funding for realistic, balanced sexuality education that provides young people with information about both abstinence and contraception. "Despite MISH's 'findings' the research is clear. It's not either abstinence or contraception—teens need both," said Wagoner.

Advocates for Youth is a national, nonprofit organization that creates programs and supports policies that help young people make safe, responsible decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.

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Note to Editors and Producers: For more information or to set up an interview with adolescent sexuality experts, please contact Bill Barker at (202) 419-3420.

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