FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: |
CONTACT: |
Bill Barker |
Tuesday, June 14, 2005 |
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(202) 419-3420 |
Government Acting Like "Flat Earth Society," Promoting Abstinence-Only Programs
Study Demonstrates No Evidence of Increasing Youth's Intention to Remain Abstinent
WASHINGTON, DC (June 14, 2005)—A long awaited report on the impact of federally funded abstinence-only-until-marriage programs was released today in concert with the Administration for Youth and Families' Annual Welfare Research and Evaluation Conference. An objective reading of the study, conducted by Mathematica Policy Research Inc. for the Department of Health and Human Services calls into question the Bush Administration's support of abstinence-only as a national policy.
"One billion dollars in state and federal funds have been allocated since 1996 to these abstinence-only/no contraception education programs," remarked James Wagoner, President of Advocates for Youth. "With no credible science to bolster their claims on behalf of these programs, HHS and the Administration for Children and Families, have become a 'flat earth society' insisting on their ideological position despite all evidence.
The four programs included in the Mathematica study demonstrated slight improvements in participants' attitudes regarding abstinence, but were ineffective at improving young people's communication with parents or their intention to remain abstinent.
The study confirms findings of a recent report by Advocates for Youth that compiled the evaluations of abstinence-only-until-marriage programs from ten states. The report found that abstinence-only programs, which prohibit discussion of the health benefits of condoms and birth control, show little evidence of sustained long-term impact on adolescents' attitudes favoring abstinence or on teens' intentions to abstain. In only one of the ten states did any program demonstrate short-term success in delaying the initiation of sex, and none showed long-term success in affecting teen sexual behavior.
"Not only are these programs ineffective, but they are dangerous," continued Mr. Wagoner referring to recent research indicating that abstinence-only programs may have a negative impact on young people's willingness to use contraception or condoms once they become sexually active.
An evaluation prepared for the Arizona Department of Health Services found teens' attitudes toward birth control became more negative after participating in an abstinence-only program. Another, conducted by scientists at Case Western Reserve University found young people's intention to use condoms declined. Last year, Rep. Henry A. Waxman released a report  showing that more than 80 percent of federally funded abstinence-only education programs use curricula that distort information about the effectiveness of contraceptives, misrepresent the risks of abortion, blur religion and science, treat stereotypes about girls and boys as scientific fact, and contain basic scientific errors.
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Advocates for Youth is an national, nonprofit organization that creates programs and supports policies that help young people make safe, responsible decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.
Note to Editors and Producers: For more information or to set up an interview with adolescent sexuality experts, please contact Debra Hauser or Bill Barker at (202) 419-3420.
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