Abstinence until Marriage Education has been Proven Effective
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (April 16, 2007) – According to recent Mathematica findings abstinence until marriage education is ineffective. However this study looked at only four abstinence groups, less than 1% of the Title V projects across the nation. Though often ignored, there are numerous studies showing that abstinence education has been effective in modifying teenage sexual behavior.
“Primary Prevention Education teaches adolescents to avoid risk behaviors such as drug and alcohol use and sexual activity,” states Lesley Scearce, executive director of Why Know Abstinence Education. “Of those teens choosing to engage in sexual activity, 25% will contract a sexually transmitted disease this year, not to mention the emotional effects of sex outside of a marriage relationship. We have a responsibility to equip teens to avoid the risk – not just reduce the risk.”
In fact, the Centers for Disease control supports risk avoidance strategies as more effective than risk reduction methods such as condom use and birth control pills, stating: “The available scientific evidence is not sufficient to recommend condoms as a primary prevention strategy”. Extensive evaluation of Why Know’s programs by the University of Tennessee Chattanooga shows that primary prevention education coupled with intense life-skills and support produce positive outcomes.
Since Why Know’s inception, the teenage pregnancy rate in Hamilton County has decreased from 28.9 to 15.1 in 2005 (per 1,000 teenage girls) – nearly in half. The teenage pregnancy rate has also fallen in 33 counties in Tennessee using Why Know’s curriculum and model.
82 % of teens reported that after the Why Know program, they can say “NO” to sex.
88 % of youth indicated that after having Why Know they could say “NO” to other risky behaviors such as alcohol and drug use.
In 2006, 90% of participants in Why Know’s ongoing programs reported that they were abstinent, nearly 40% above the national average! Students and their school administratiors also reported improved academics, less violent behavior, increased self-esteem, and increased positive leadership among their peers.
In March 2007 Why Know received nationwide recognition for its evaluation process and was honored to be one of the ten programs selected to present their program findings during the 2007 Federal Community Based Abstinence Education Evaluation Conference in Baltimore. For more studies on abstinence education visit www.whyknow.org under Resources.
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Why kNOw Abstinence Education works in 57 schools giving in-depth knowledge, on going support, and life skills to encourage teen’s to make wise choices, including abstinence from risk behaviors, as the best choice for their futures.
