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Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Programs One of the best ways we can address population growth here in the U.S. is to advocate for policies and programs that effectively work to reduce teen pregnancy. The United States has the highest teen pregnancy rate of all the developed nations - nearly double that of Great Britain, the developed nation with the second highest teen pregnancy rate. (1) Each year, 900,000 women in the U.S. under 20 become pregnant, and 80% of these pregnancies are unintended. (2) In most other developed countries, teens have greater access to comprehensive sexuality education that discusses both abstinence AND contraception, supplying them with the tools to make informed decisions about their lives. There is considerable evidence that comprehensive sexual education programs delay sexual activity and increase the likelihood of using contraceptives when individuals become sexually active. It is evident that investing in clear and medically accurate prevention messages decreases teenage pregnancy. Even our own American Medical Association and a number of other health associations, including the National Institutes of Health support comprehensive sex education. However, there is currently NO federal funding for programs that include information about the effectiveness of contraceptives. (3) Since 1996, over $1 billion dollars from federal and state contributions have been dumped into abstinence-only programs which are not proven to reduce teen pregnancy or even delay sexual activity. At the same time, emerging research is beginning to show that abstinence-only programs may actually dissuade teens from using contraceptives, and increase their risk of unintended pregnancy and STDs. (4) President Bush ignores U.S. public opinion and research on "what works" and publicly advocates for regular increases in abstinence-only education. Today, more than two out of three public school districts have a policy of teaching sex education. Over 35% require abstinence be taught as the ONLY option for unmarried people and do not allow discussion of contraceptives, or permit only discussion of contraceptive failure rates. (5) The Sierra Club supports comprehensive sex education that empowers youth to make informed decisions about their lives. Support the Responsible Education About Life Act (H.R. 1653 / S. 972) The REAL Act would set up the first-ever federal program to provide responsible, comprehensive sex education to young people. This education would include science-based, medically accurate, and age appropriate public health information, and would supply young people with the tools to make informed decisions about their lives. Help mobilize grassroots support for this legislation by joining the No More Money for Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Programs Campaign today! Conduct an investigation to find out what is being taught in your community by requesting to obtain a copy of the sexual education curricula being used by your local public schools. Share your opinion with others in the community - many parents falsely assume that abstinence is being taught along with discussions of contraceptives. Learn more: Advocates for Youth The Alan Guttmacher Institute Sierra Magazine article on Abstinence Only J.E. Darroch, S. Singh, J.J. Frost, and the Study Team, "Differences in Teenage Pregnancy Rates among Five Developed Countries: The Roles of Sexual Activity and Contraceptive Use," Family Planning Perspectives, November/December 2001, vol. 33, no. 6, p. 246.) The Alan Guttmacher Institute (AGI), Sex Education: Needs, Programs and Policies. May 2003. Dailard C, "Abstinence promotion and teen family planning: the misguided drive for equal funding," The Guttmacher Report on Public Policy, 2002, 5(1):1-3; and Dailard C, "Sex Education: Politicians, Parents, Teachers and Teens," The Guttmacher Report on Public Policy, 2001, 4(1):9-12. Kirby D, "Emerging Answers: Research Findings on Programs to Reduce Teen Pregnancy," Washington, DC: National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, 2001. The Alan Guttmacher Institute (AGI), "Facts on Sex Education in the United States." http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/fb_sexEd2006.html. December, 2006. Up to Top HOME | Email Signup | About Us | Contact Us | Terms of Use