---- By H. JOSEF HEBERT, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - Programs that focus exclusively on abstinence have not been shown to affect teenager sexual behavior, although they are eligible for tens of millions of dollars in federal grants, according to a study released by a nonpartisan group that seeks to reduce teen pregnancies.
The study, conducted by Douglas Kirby, a senior research scientist at ETR Associates, also sought to debunk what the report called "myths propagated by abstinence-only advocates" including: that comprehensive sex education promotes promiscuity, hastens the initiative of sex or increases its frequency, and sends a confusing message to adolescents.None of these was found to be accurate, Kirby wrote.
Instead, he wrote, such programs improved teens' knowledge about the risks and consequences of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases and gave them greater "confidence in their ability to say 'no' to unwanted sex." ----Think it might be time for the abstinence-only crowd to open their eyes? No. Me neither. Keep your kids stupid, let 'em find out for themselves. That way, you get the opportunity to tell them they're going to hell. But hey, they'll be in good company. They'll have all their family there, too.
No comments:
Post a Comment