New studies show abstinence education works April 24, 2008
New studies show abstinence education works
Findings published in January/February 2008 issue of the American Journal of Health Behavior presented to House of Representatives
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (April 24, 2008) – Yesterday Stan Weed of the Institute of Research and Evaluation presented new findings on abstinence education programs to the U.S. House of Representatives. His evaluation of a Virginia program shows that abstinence education cut the rate of sexual activity among students nearly in half.
“This new research reinforces the need for comprehensive abstinence education programs that are holistic in their approach to informing teens of the full effects of sexual activity on a person--emotionally, physically, mentally, and morally,” said Lesley Scearce, Executive Director of Why Know Abstinence Education. “Abstinent teens, on average, report better psychological well-being and higher academic achievement than those who are sexually active.”
In addition to Weed’s findings, The Heritage Foundation released a report this week on the assessment of 21 different abstinence education programs. Of the programs reviewed, 16 found youths who received abstinence education had significantly lower rates of sexual activity when compared to youths who did not receive abstinence education. Two-thirds of these studies have been published in peer review journals.
Locally, Why Know has seen similar successes from its abstinence education programs. An evaluation of its 2006/07 programs, by the Department of Public Administration at the University of TN, Chattanooga, found that upon completion, 73.9 percent of participants plan to abstain from sex until marriage. Why Know’s ongoing program, Road to Excellence, experienced even more success. Of the 600 students who were part of the weekly support group last year, 90 percent remained abstinent -- 40 percent higher than the national average. Additionally, the Hamilton County teen birth rate has decreased by 72 percent since Why Know’s inception in 1991.
For more information about Stan Weed’s study or The Heritage Foundation’s study, contact Why Know at 423.899.9188 or visit whyknow.org.
About Why Know:
Why KnowAbstinence Education, Inc. is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Why Know works to equip teens to be sexually abstinent by giving in-depth knowledge, ongoing support and life skills for a successful future. Why Know serves 57 schools in Hamilton, Catoosa, Dade, Gordon, Walker and Whitfield Counties. Its curriculum is used in 40 states and 11 countries. Since Why Know’s inception, the local teen pregnancy rate has decreased 72%. For more information about Why Know, visit www.whyknow.org or call 423.899.9188.
